Almighty God Thy Word is Cast
Almighty God, thy Word is cast
Almighty God Thy Word is Cast is a hymn text by John Cawood (1819) in C.M. meter. Found in CW21 644, CW93 324, ELH 228, elw 641. Sung to SCHUMANN.
The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of the Word of God as the primary means of grace, emphasizing both the power of Scripture and the human response of faith. It reflects the Reformation principle of sola scriptura while acknowledging the mystery of spiritual receptivity in the hearer.
History & Background
Written by John Cawood, an English Independent minister, and first published in 1819. The hymn draws directly from the Parable of the Sower and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnody, appearing in major Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 644
- Christian Worship — 324
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 228
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 641
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 234
- Lutheran Service Book — 577
- Lutheran Worship — 342
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 49
Bulletin Note
John Cawood's 1819 hymn grounds Luther's doctrine of sola scriptura in lived experience, casting God's Word as both judge and physician of the soul—an enduring meditation on spiritual receptivity.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran conviction that God's Word simultaneously judges the human heart (Law) and heals it through grace (Gospel), making it a powerful lens through which to preach repentance and faith together.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: God's Word as divine seed: planted in human hearts (1-2), assured of efficacy (3), culminating in eschatological vindication (4). Movement from present sowing through divine promise to final harvest.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Sexagesima (5×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 10 (3×)
- Proper 6 (2×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A post-sermon hymn on the Parable of the Sower by Anglican priest John Cawood. Each stanza takes up one element: the seed sown (1), the devil snatching it (2), worldly cares choking it (3), and God's quickening grace making it effective (4). It is a prayer that the sermon just heard will bear fruit.
Central theme: Prayer that the preached Word take root and bear fruit despite the devil and the world
Structure
Seed sown (1); birds/devil (2); thorns/cares (3); good soil by grace (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel prayer; the dangers (devil, world) acknowledged.
Confessional Connections
AC V: the Spirit works faith 'where and when it pleases God' through the Word. The devil, world, and flesh as enemies of faith (Sixth Petition).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
After the sermon; Sundays with the Parable of the Sower; Sexagesima; mission festivals.
Historical Notes
Cawood (1775-1852) wrote it in 1815, published 1819.
About the Tune
DUNDEE (Scottish Psalter, 1615) in TLH; ST. FLAVIAN in LSB/ELW (row 96).
Scripture References
Mark 4:3-20 Luke 8:4-15 Isa 55:10-11 Hos 14:5 Gal 5:22
Stanza by Stanza
God's Word has been sown like seed; the singers ask God to send heavenly dew so that righteous fruit will grow.
The sermon just preached is the seed (Mark 4:14, 'The sower sows the word'). Growth depends on God, not the preacher (1 Cor 3:6-7). 'Dew of heaven' is an image of God's blessing (Hos 14:5; Deut 32:2). 'Righteous fruits' — the fruit of righteousness (Phil 1:11).
- Scripture
- Mark 4:3, 14, 1 Cor 3:6-7, Hos 14:5, Deut 32:2, Phil 1:11
- Imagery & language
- Seed in ground; dew from heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Word sown.
- Connection to previous
- Opening prayer.
Do not let the enemy of Christ and humanity steal the seed; give it root in every heart to bear the fruit of love.
The birds on the path represent Satan who takes away the Word (Mark 4:15). He is 'the foe of Christ and man' — enemy of both God and humanity (1 Pet 5:8). The rocky ground (no root, Mark 4:16-17) is also implied: 'give it root in every heart.' Fruit of love (Gal 5:22) — the Word produces faith that works through love.
- Scripture
- Mark 4:15-17, 1 Pet 5:8, Gal 5:22, Col 2:7
- Imagery & language
- Seed snatched; roots.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel prayer against the devil.
- Connection to previous
- First danger: the devil.
Do not let deceptive worldly cares destroy the growing plant, but let it produce a hundredfold harvest of peace and joy.
The thorns are 'the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches' (Mark 4:18-19). Cares are 'deceitful' because they seem urgent and important while choking faith. The hundredfold yield (Mark 4:20) is pure grace — an extraordinary harvest. 'Peace and joy' are fruits of the Spirit (Rom 14:17).
- Scripture
- Mark 4:18-20, Luke 21:34, Rom 14:17, Matt 6:25-33
- Imagery & language
- Thorns; hundredfold yield.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel prayer against worldly distraction.
- Connection to previous
- Second danger: the world.
Whenever the Word is preached, may God give his life-giving grace so that all who receive it may know its saving power.
A prayer for every sermon. 'Quickening grace' — the Spirit gives life through the Word (John 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6). 'Its saving power' echoes Rom 1:16 ('the power of God for salvation'). This matches Isa 55:10-11: God's Word does not return empty.
- Scripture
- Isa 55:10-11, Rom 1:16, John 6:63, 1 Thess 2:13
- Imagery & language
- Precious seed; quickening.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — efficacy of the Word.
- Connection to previous
- Concluding prayer for all preaching.
Themes
Word of God Gospel proclamation Seed of faith Divine power Mission and outreach