Henry’s Breath

Henry just couldn’t get better. He had asthma and had trouble breathing even on a good day. On the days when he got sick with the coughs and colds of everyone around him, he was always so much worse. You might think that asthma and a constant cough might keep him from singing, but you would be wrong to think that! Henry wrote lots of songs and he even worked hard to play the flute! Most of the songs he wrote were in praise to God. Even though he had trouble breathing, he made sure that he used his breath for good things! Do you use your breath for good things? One of the songs he wrote is called Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven. If you know it, sing along!

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!

Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!

Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!

Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
wellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

By Henry Francis Lyte