An Awefull Mystery Is Here
An awefull mystery is here
An Awefull Mystery Is Here is a hymn text by Unknown (1700) in C.M. meter. Found in ELH 309, tlh 304. Sung to HAMBURG.
The hymn articulates the Lutheran understanding of the Real Presence and the awe-inspiring mystery of Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament, distinguishing Lutheran practice from both Reformed and Roman Catholic interpretations. It emphasizes faith and reverence before the incomprehensible mystery of God's grace made tangible.
History & Background
This hymn appears in early Lutheran hymnals emphasizing the mystery and theological depth of the Sacrament. The text reflects orthodox Lutheran eucharistic theology and has been preserved in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) where it appears as hymn 304.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 309
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 304
Bulletin Note
From 1700, this hymn reflects classic Lutheran sacramental theology: Christ's real presence neither as mere symbol nor magical substance, but as mystery received in faith and reverence.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the tension between Law and Gospel: the Law arrests us in holy fear before God's otherness in the Sacrament, while the Gospel proclaims Christ's self-emptying love made tangible in the very elements we receive.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Definition & Command of Communion Small Catechism — Holy Communion
- Of Lord’s Supper Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law reveals emptiness of worldly gain and pride; Gospel proclaims Christ's sacrificial love as sole worthy object of devotion; believer responds with total surrender of self and possessions
Overview
Matthias Loy's original English hymn on the Lord's Supper — one of the most explicit statements of the Real Presence in any English hymn. A mystery that challenges faith: the Savior 'concealed in earthly bread and wine' (st. 1); the King of Glory stoops to feed me (st. 2); no eye perceives it, but Jesus' words are clear: 'My body and My blood are here' (st. 3); the senses are dull and the gift looks mean (st. 4); 'The Word, not sense, must be our guide' (st. 5); a prayer for this food, faith for the wavering and healing (st. 6).
Central theme: The Real Presence of Christ's body and blood in the Supper, believed on the strength of his Word against the senses
Structure
Six long-meter quatrains. Mystery (1) — love stooping (2) — the words (3) — the senses (4) — Word not sense (5) — prayer (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'food divine'; 'My spirit's life and strength'; 'make each wounded spirit whole.' Law implied in 'loveless world' (2).
Confessional Connections
1 Cor 11:23-25 (TLH's text). St. 1: 'Concealed in earthly bread and wine' — 'in, with, and under' (FC SD VII.35). St. 3: 'Jesus' words are strong and clear: My body and My blood are here' — Luther's 'Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn' at Marburg (1529); FC VII.42-48: the words to be taken in their 'strict, simple' sense (AC X: 'the body and blood of Christ are truly present'). St. 4-5: 'The Word, not sense, must be our guide' — against the Reformed argument from reason that a body cannot be in many places (FC VII.92ff; FC VIII on the omnipresence of Christ's humanity). Loy, Ohio Synod president and editor of the Lutheran Standard, was a champion of confessional Lutheranism.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lord's Supper (distribution); Maundy Thursday; Corpus Christi-type instruction; confirmation.
Historical Notes
Loy (1828-1915) wrote it for the Ohio Synod's Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal (1880).
About the Tune
ST. CRISPIN (George J. Elvey, 1862).
Scripture References
1 Cor 11:23-25 Matt 26:26-28 1 Cor 10:16 1 Tim 3:16 John 6:51-56 Phil 2:6-8 Ps 24:7-10 2 Cor 5:7 John 20:29 Heb 11:1 Ps 34:8 Mark 9:24 1 Cor 11:29
Stanza by Stanza
An awesome mystery is here to challenge faith and awaken fear: the Savior comes as divine food, hidden in earthly bread and wine.
'Great indeed… is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh' (1 Tim 3:16). 'My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink' (John 6:55). FC VII: present 'in, with, and under.'
- Scripture
- 1 Tim 3:16, John 6:51-56, 1 Cor 10:16
- Imagery & language
- Mystery; food divine; concealed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ present.
- Connection to previous
- Mystery.
This world is loveless — but above, what wonderful boundless love! The King of Glory bends down to me to be my spirit's life and strength.
'Who is this King of glory?' (Ps 24:8). He 'emptied himself… humbled himself' (Phil 2:7-8). 'Whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me' (John 6:57).
- Scripture
- Ps 24:7-10, Phil 2:6-8, John 6:57
- Imagery & language
- Loveless world; boundless love; King stoops.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — condescension.
- Connection to previous
- The King stoops.
In the consecrated wine and bread no eye sees the awesome mystery; but Jesus' words are strong and clear: 'My body and my blood are here.'
'This is my body… This is my blood' (Matt 26:26-28). 'The cup of blessing… is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?' (1 Cor 10:16). AC X; FC VII.42-48.
- Scripture
- Matt 26:26-28, 1 Cor 10:16, 1 Cor 11:24-25
- Imagery & language
- Consecrated elements; unseen; 'My body and My blood.'
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Words of Institution.
- Connection to previous
- The words.
How dull all the senses are when they look for proof of immense love! The richest food stays unseen, and the highest gifts look — how ordinary!
'We walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Cor 5:7). God hides his gifts under humble forms (theology of the cross; LC V.8-10 on despising the Sacrament because it looks like bread).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 5:7, 1 Cor 1:27-28
- Imagery & language
- Dull senses; unseen food; mean appearance.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the limits of sense.
- Connection to previous
- The senses.
But here we have no earthly gift; faith alone recognizes its worth. The Word, not the senses, must guide us, and faith must give assurance, since sight is denied.
'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed' (John 20:29). 'Faith is… the conviction of things not seen' (Heb 11:1). FC VII.92ff against rationalist objections.
- Scripture
- John 20:29, Heb 11:1, Rom 10:17
- Imagery & language
- Faith alone; Word not sense; sight denied.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith resting on the Word.
- Connection to previous
- Word, not sense.
Lord, keep showing us that you are good and grant us this food forever. Give faith to every wavering soul and make every wounded spirit whole.
'Taste and see that the LORD is good' (Ps 34:8). 'I believe; help my unbelief' (Mark 9:24). SC Sacrament of the Altar: the Supper is for the weak who need forgiveness, life and salvation.
- Scripture
- Ps 34:8, Mark 9:24, Ps 147:3
- Imagery & language
- Goodness; this food; wavering souls; wounded spirits.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — healing in the Sacrament.
- Connection to previous
- Prayer.
Themes
Sacrament of the Altar Mystery of faith Real presence Eucharistic reverence