Hymn Desk
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Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord

Draw nigh and take the body of the Lord

This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar, calling communicants to reverent reception. It emphasizes both the objective reality of Christ's body and blood and the subjective faith and devotion required of the communicant.

History & Background

This Latin hymn originates from the medieval Western Church, likely 7th-8th century, reflecting patristic theology on the Eucharist. John Mason Neale translated it into English in 1851, and it has remained a standard eucharistic hymn in Anglican and Lutheran traditions.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 472
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 328
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 226
  • Lutheran Service Book — 637
  • Lutheran Worship — 240
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 307

Translation

John Mason Neale

Bulletin Note

From the Latin Church, circa 700. This hymn's insistence on Christ's real, objective presence shaped Lutheran sacramental theology against symbolic-only interpretations, while its call to self-examination grounds faith in repentance.

Preaching Connection

This hymn anchors the doctrine of real presence in the concrete act of reception: faith responds to Christ's objective gift with reverent trust, making it a perfect complement to preaching on justification by faith and the means of grace.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Themes

Holy Communion Sacramental eating and drinking Reverent approach to the altar Christ's real presence Comfort in the Sacrament

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