Every Morning Mercies New

Every morning mercies new

Every Morning Mercies New is a hymn text by Nicolai Leonhard Grundtvig (1817) in 7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6 meter. Translated by Peer Böhling. Found in tlh 537.

The hymn embodies Lutheran confidence in divine grace as the foundation of daily Christian life, drawing on the Reformation emphasis on God's sustaining mercies rather than human merit. It reflects Grundtvig's theology of the living Word and God's constant faithfulness to His people.

History & Background

Grundtvig wrote this Danish hymn in 1817, emphasizing the renewal of God's mercies each day based on Lamentations 3:23. It was translated into English by Peer Böhling and included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1928).

Hymnal Appearances

The Lutheran Hymnal — 537

Translation

Peer Böhling

Bulletin Note

Composed by Danish theologian N.L. Grundtvig in 1817, this hymn reflects the Reformation's recovery of God's living Word as the source of daily grace rather than human achievement or merit.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's radical claim that God's mercy precedes and sustains us daily—a perfect counterpoint to any sermon on the Law's exposure of our need and Christ's sufficient grace alone.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A morning hymn by Greville Phillimore, an Anglican rector, on Lam 3:22-23. Mercies new every morning like dew; let us pay tribute daily (st. 1); God's love daily removes our sins 'far as east from west' and gives strength unbought (st. 2); as we confess sin and the Tempter's power, feed us with the Bread of Life (st. 3); as the sun returns, turn us to the Trinity in prayer and praise (st. 4).

Central theme: Daily new mercies — daily forgiveness, strength and the Bread of Life — received in morning confession and prayer

Structure

Four six-line stanzas (7.7.7.7.7.7). Mercies new (1) — sins removed (2) — confession and Bread (3) — Trinity (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: sin; the Tempter's power (3). Gospel: 'Daily doth our sins remove… far as east from west'; 'unbought'; 'Bread of Life' (2-3).

Confessional Connections

Lam 3:23 (TLH's text): 'They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.' St. 2: daily forgiveness — 'as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions' (Ps 103:12); SC Third Article: the Spirit 'daily and richly forgives all my sins.' 'Gives unbought' — grace, not merit (Rom 3:24). St. 3: daily confession and the Bread of Life — daily return to Baptism (SC IV) and the Word as daily bread. Luther's Morning Prayer pattern (SC).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Morning; daily devotion; Matins.

Historical Notes

Phillimore (1821-1884), Anglican rector of Henley-on-Thames, co-editor of The Parish Hymn Book (1863).

About the Tune

VOLLER WUNDER (Johann G. Ebeling, 1666).

Scripture References

Lam 3:22-23 Hos 14:5 Ps 5:3 Ps 103:12 Matt 11:28 Eph 6:13 1 John 1:9 John 6:35 Ps 92:1-2

Stanza by Stanza

1 Every morning mercies new…

Every morning new mercies fall as fresh as morning dew; every morning let us offer tribute with the early day; for your mercies, Lord, are sure; your compassion endures.

'His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning' (Lam 3:22-23). 'I will be like the dew to Israel' (Hos 14:5). 'O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice' (Ps 5:3).

Scripture: Lam 3:22-23, Hos 14:5, Ps 5:3
Imagery & language: Mercies new; morning dew; tribute; sure mercies.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — daily mercy.
Connection to previous: Mercies new.

morning grace thanksgiving

2 Still the greatness of Thy love…

Still the greatness of your love removes our sins daily, lifts the burden from the heart as far as east from west, and gives strength, unbought, to those who pray, to stand in the evil day.

'As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us' (Ps 103:12). 'That you may be able to withstand in the evil day' (Eph 6:13).

Scripture: Ps 103:12, Eph 6:13, Rom 3:24
Imagery & language: Sins removed daily; east from west; unbought strength.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — daily forgiveness.
Connection to previous: East from west.

forgiveness grace strength

3 Let our prayers each morn prevail…

Let our prayers prevail each morning so these gifts never fail; and as we confess our sin and the Tempter's power within, feed us with the Bread of Life; make us fit for our daily struggle.

'If we confess our sins, he is faithful… to forgive' (1 John 1:9). 'I am the bread of life' (John 6:35). SC IV: daily repentance.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, John 6:35, Matt 6:11-13
Imagery & language: Morning prayer; confession; Tempter; Bread of Life.
Law / Gospel: Law — sin confessed; Gospel — fed.
Connection to previous: Bread of Life.

confession Word of God temptation

4 As the morning light returns,…

As the morning light returns and the sun burns with splendor, teach us still to turn to you, ever-blessed Trinity, raising our hearts with our hands in unfailing prayer and praise.

'It is good to give thanks to the LORD… to declare your steadfast love in the morning' (Ps 92:1-2). 'Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God' (Lam 3:41).

Scripture: Ps 92:1-2, Lam 3:41
Imagery & language: Morning light; Trinity; hands and hearts; prayer and praise.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — praise.
Connection to previous: Turn to Thee.

Trinity morning prayer

Themes

God's mercy and faithfulness Daily grace Trust in providence Morning devotion

Look Further

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