God of Mercy God of Grace
God of mercy, God of grace
This hymn expresses Lutheran piety regarding God's merciful nature and the Christian obligation to intercede for all people, reflecting the theology of universal redemption through Christ. The prayer for God's grace to extend to all nations resonates with Lutheran understanding of the Gospel's catholicity and the Church's role as intercessor.
History & Background
Henry Francis Lyte composed this hymn in 1834 as a prayer hymn based on Psalm 67. It has been widely used in both Anglican and Lutheran traditions since its publication and remains a staple intercessory hymn in worship.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 82
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 713
- Glory to God — 714
- The Hymnal 1982 — 538
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 425
- Lutheran Service Book — 716
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 969
- Lutheran Worship — 404
- New Century Hymnal — 473
- Trinity Hymnal — 726
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 20
- United Methodist Hymnal — 517
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Francis Lyte in 1834, this hymn of intercession reflects the evangelical Anglican tradition's emphasis on prayer for all peoples—a theme deeply consonant with Lutheran theology of universal grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel movement: our confession of unworthiness opens into bold intercession grounded in God's mercy through Christ, modeling how recognizing our need becomes the very ground of confident prayer.
Themes
God's mercy and grace Prayer for divine compassion Blessing of all nations Intercession