Great God What do I See and Hear?
Great God, what do I see and hear?
This hymn expresses Lutheran eschatological theology, emphasizing Christ's bodily return and the resurrection of all believers as central to Christian hope. It demonstrates the Lutheran balance between divine judgment and redemptive grace in end-times theology.
History & Background
Originally composed in German as 'Großer Gott, was schau' ich da?', this eschatological hymn was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in 1863. It reflects 19th-century Lutheran emphasis on the Last Things and Christ's anticipated return.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 303
- Trinity Hymnal — 322
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 604
Translation
Bulletin Note
Attributed to Rabanus Maurus (9th-century), this 1850 hymn combines medieval eschatological theology with Lutheran conviction about bodily resurrection and divine grace. It balances judgment's terror with redemptive comfort.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's vivid imagery of the Last Judgment and Christ's bodily return provides powerful sensory language to drive home the Law's terrifying demand while simultaneously anchoring the Gospel promise of resurrection through Christ's redemptive work.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Last Judgment Christ's Return Eschatology Divine majesty Resurrection