God Himself is Present

God Himself is present

God Himself is Present is a hymn text by Gerhard Tersteegen (1729) in 6.6.4.6.6.4 meter. Translated by Frederick William Foster. Found in CW21 917, CW93 224, elw 526, gtg 385.

The hymn emphasizes the real presence of God in worship and community, reflecting Lutheran sacramental theology and the centrality of God's inhabitation among His people. It combines reverential awe with intimate communion, central to Lutheran piety's balance of majesty and grace.

History & Background

Written by German Pietist Gerhard Tersteegen in 1729 as an expression of contemplative spirituality and reverence for God's presence. The hymn was translated into English by Frederick William Foster in 1907 and became widely used in Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship: Hymnal — 917
Christian Worship — 224
Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 526
Glory to God — 385
Lutheran Book of Worship — 249
Lutheran Service Book — 907
Lift Up Your Hearts — 532
Lutheran Worship — 206
Trinity Hymnal — 74
The Lutheran Hymnal — 4
Voices Together — 47

Translation

Frederick William Foster

Bulletin Note

Gerhard Tersteegen (1697–1769), a German Pietist mystic, wrote this hymn to kindle reverence and intimacy in worship. It reflects the Lutheran conviction that God truly dwells among His people in Word and Sacrament.

Preaching Connection

This hymn develops the Gospel movement from Law to grace: the awareness of God's awesome presence awakens us to our need, yet His Word draws us into joyful, intimate communion as forgiven children.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Of Lord’s Supper Augsburg Confession

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

Gerhard Tersteegen, a Reformed pietist and mystic (by trade a ribbon weaver, from memory), published it in Geistliches Blumengärtlein inniger Seelen (1729), titled 'A reminder of the glorious and lovely presence of God'. It has eight stanzas. Stanzas 1–3 are the congregation entering God's presence in worship (cf. Isa 6; Gen 28:16–17, 'surely the LORD is in this place'), and stanzas 4–8 are the individual soul, with st 5 speaking of mystical union. For the confessional analysis, note the Reformed-mystical piety: it stresses God's presence felt in stillness rather than in Word and Sacrament. The tune is Joachim Neander's 'Wunderbarer König' (1680), simplified for congregations. Catholics left it out of Gotteslob in 1975 and later adopted it (GL 387); it is EG 165. English: John Wesley ('Lo! God is here', 1739); Foster and Miller's 'God reveals His presence' (Moravian, 1789), which TLH's Foster text descends from.

Sources: Wikipedia 'Gott ist gegenwärtig'.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

Trinity 22 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Proper 12 (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

Tersteegen, a Reformed mystic and lay preacher, wrote this hymn of reverent awe before God's presence in worship. God is present in his temple, so let all be silent and adore (st. 1); the angels' 'Holy, holy, holy' resounds and Christ is asked to hear the church's praise (st. 2); and the singer asks to be purified, trusting only Christ's merit, and to adore like the angels, with God's will ruling the earthly church as in heaven (st. 3).

Central theme: Reverent worship before the present God, purified by Christ's merit

Structure

Silent awe (1); heavenly worship joined (2); purification and prayer (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: 'Trusting only in Thy merit' (st. 3) keeps the mysticism Christ-centered.

Confessional Connections

Christ's merit as the only ground of acceptance (AC IV). God's presence in worship through Word and Sacrament. Third Petition (st. 3).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Opening hymn; church dedication; Holy Trinity.

Historical Notes

Tersteegen (1697-1769), a ribbon weaver turned spiritual counselor in the Lower Rhine, published it in 'Geistliches Blumengärtlein' (1729).

About the Tune

WUNDERBARER KÖNIG (Joachim Neander, 1680).

Scripture References

Hab 2:20 Ps 46:10 Gen 28:16-17 Isa 6:1-3 Rev 4:8-11 1 John 1:7 Phil 3:9 Matt 6:10

Stanza by Stanza

1 God Himself is present…

God himself is here; let us adore him and come before him in awe; God is in his temple — let all within be silent and bow in deepest reverence; we acknowledge him alone as our God and Savior and praise his name forever.

Hab 2:20 ('the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him'), TLH's reference. Jacob's awe at Bethel (Gen 28:16-17, 'Surely the LORD is in this place'). Silence and prostration express reverence (Ps 46:10; Eccl 5:1-2). 'Him alone God we own' — the First Commandment. 'Our God and Savior' — the present God is the saving God (Titus 2:13).

Scripture: Hab 2:20, Gen 28:16-17, Ps 46:10, Eccl 5:1-2, Titus 2:13
Imagery & language: Temple; silence; prostration.
Law / Gospel: Doxology — reverence.
Connection to previous: Silent awe.

presence of God reverence worship First Commandment

2 God Himself is present: Hear the harps resounding…

God is here: hear the harps and see the heavenly host around the throne; 'Holy, holy, holy' rises as saints and angels sing together; bend your ear to us here, Christ, and hear the praise your church now raises.

The earthly congregation is joined to heaven's worship (Rev 4:8-11; 5:8, harps; Heb 12:22-24). 'Songs of saints and angels blending' — the communion of saints in worship. The prayer is addressed to Christ: 'Hear, O Christ' — the worship of the Son.

Scripture: Rev 4:8-11, Rev 5:8, Heb 12:22-24, Isa 6:3
Imagery & language: Harps; throne; blended songs.
Law / Gospel: Doxology.
Connection to previous: Heavenly worship.

heavenly worship communion of saints angels

3 O Thou Fount of blessing…

Fountain of blessing, purify my spirit as I trust only in your merit; like the holy angels who see your glory, may I adore you without ceasing; may your will rule your church on earth as it rules the heavenly hosts.

The crucial line for Lutheran use: 'Trusting only in Thy merit' — purification is not by mystical effort but by Christ's righteousness (Phil 3:9; 1 John 1:7). Tersteegen's mysticism is here anchored in the Gospel. Ceaseless adoration like the angels (Rev 4:8). The last lines paraphrase the Third Petition: 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven' (Matt 6:10).

Scripture: Phil 3:9, 1 John 1:7, Ps 51:10, Rev 4:8, Matt 6:10
Imagery & language: Fount; purification; angelic adoration.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — purification by Christ's merit.
Connection to previous: Purification and prayer.

merit of Christ sanctification Third Petition

Themes

God's presence Reverence in worship Holy fear of the Lord God's majesty Congregational worship

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "God Himself is Present" ↗