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Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy

Feed Thy children, God most holy

Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy is a hymn text by Johann Heermann (1630) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW21 509, CW93 616, ELH 599, elw 733. Sung to ERHALT UNS, HERR.

This hymn articulates the Lutheran understanding of God's benevolent care over all creation through His sustaining power. It reflects the theological emphasis on recognizing God's daily gifts and responding with grateful petition and trust.

History & Background

Johann Heermann wrote this hymn in German as "Gott, laß dich erbarmen" in the early 17th century. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863, and it has appeared in numerous Lutheran hymnals since.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 509
  • Christian Worship — 616
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 599
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 733
  • Lutheran Service Book — 774
  • Lutheran Worship — 468
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 659

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Written by Johann Heermann in 1630, this German hymn expresses the Lutheran conviction that God's sustaining power extends to all creation, inviting believers to see daily provisions as tokens of divine grace.

Preaching Connection

This hymn deepens the Gospel's promise by moving from recognizing our total dependence (the Law's exposure) to joyful confidence in God's unfailing provision, making it an excellent musical proclamation of grace.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (external threats to faith) → Gospel (Christ's lordship and defense) → Spirit (eschatological comfort and final victory)

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Lent 4 (3×)
  • Maundy Thursday (2×)
  • Trinity 17 (2×)
  • Easter 3 (1×)
  • Trinity 7 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 14 (2×)
  • Easter 3 (1×)
  • Proper 13 (1×)
  • Proper 16 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

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 single-stanza table prayer (grace before meals) ascribed to Johann Heermann, set to Crüger's SCHMÜCKE DICH. It asks God to feed his children and comfort poor sinners, invokes Christ the Bread of Life to bless the food, prays that as food nourishes the body so souls may flourish in grace, and looks ahead to the heavenly feast. In eight lines it moves from daily bread to the Bread of Life to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Central theme: Grace at table: God feeds body and soul now, and will feast with his saints in heaven

Structure

One stanza of eight lines (8.8.8.8.8.8.8.8, the SCHMÜCKE DICH meter in part). Petition — Bread of Life — body and soul — heavenly feast.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: God feeds 'sinners poor and lowly'; Christ the Bread of Life.

Confessional Connections

SC Table Blessing: 'The eyes of all look to You, O Lord' (Ps 145:15-16, TLH's text). Fourth Petition: daily bread received with thanksgiving (SC, LC III). Food 'made holy by the word of God and prayer' (1 Tim 4:5). Christ the Bread of Life (John 6); the heavenly feast (Rev 19:9) — the Lord's Supper as foretaste is a natural connection in Lutheran piety.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Table prayer; church dinners; Thanksgiving; Christian home.

Historical Notes

Heermann (1585-1647) wrote 'O God, Thou Faithful God' and 'Ah, Holy Jesus.' TLH's date 1656 postdates his death and probably reflects a posthumous printing; the attribution should be checked.

About the Tune

SCHMÜCKE DICH (Johann Crüger, 1649).

Scripture References

Ps 145:15-16 Matt 6:11 Luke 18:13 John 6:35, 51 1 Tim 4:4-5 Deut 8:3 Matt 4:4 2 Pet 3:18 Rev 19:9 Luke 14:15 Isa 25:6

Stanza by Stanza

1 Feed Thy children, God most holy,…

Most holy God, feed your children and comfort poor, lowly sinners. Bread of Life from heaven, bless the food you have given here! As these gifts nourish the body, may our souls flourish in grace until we give you due thanks at your feast with the saints in heavenly splendor.

Ps 145:15-16 (TLH's text): 'The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.' 'Sinners poor and lowly' — we receive daily bread as beggars before God (Luke 18:13; LC III.72ff). 'Bread of Life' (John 6:35, 51) — Christ feeds the soul (Matt 4:4). Food blessed by Word and prayer (1 Tim 4:4-5). The heavenly feast (Rev 19:9; Isa 25:6).

Scripture
Ps 145:15-16, Matt 6:11, John 6:35, 51, 1 Tim 4:4-5, Matt 4:4, Rev 19:9, Isa 25:6
Imagery & language
Children fed; Bread of Life; heavenly feast.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — God feeds body and soul.
Connection to previous
Grace at table.
table prayer daily bread Bread of Life heavenly feast

Themes

Divine providence Trust in God Daily bread God's care for creation Petition and thanksgiving

Look Further