Total Praise

Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise” is a towering gospel anthem that has found a firm place in Nigerian choir lofts. Drawing its opening lines from Psalm 121, the song is a profound prayer of surrender, acknowledging God as our only true help and peace in the middle of life's storms.

This particular setting by Joel Raney takes the familiar, soulful progression of the original and weaves it together with the classic hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The transition from a personal cry for strength into the grand, universal praise of the Trinity gives the choir a chance to bridge two powerful styles of worship.

Choirs often bring this piece out for special presentations, concerts, or as a deep meditation after Communion. The final section—a soaring, eight-fold sequence of “Amens”—requires strong breath control and unity from the singers, building to a massive, faith-filled climax that always moves the congregation.