Great King of Nations Hear Our Prayer
Great King of nations, hear our prayer
Great King of Nations Hear Our Prayer is a hymn text by Christian Karl von Winterfeldt (1745) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Henry J. Buckoll. Found in lw 288, tlh 583. Sung to VIENNA.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of civil government as ordained by God to maintain order and justice, reflecting the traditional Lutheran two-kingdoms teaching. It emphasizes the Christian duty to pray for rulers and national welfare as an expression of love for neighbor and obedience to God's ordering of creation.
History & Background
Written by Christian Karl von Winterfeldt, a German hymn poet and official, this hymn originally appeared in German as a prayer for the protection and blessing of nations. It was translated into English by Henry J. Buckoll in the 19th century and became established in Lutheran hymnody through The Lutheran Hymnal.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 288
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 583
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Christian Karl von Winterfeldt in 1745, this hymn expresses the classical Lutheran doctrine of civil government as God's ordained instrument for justice, calling believers to prayerful support for their rulers.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran two-kingdoms teaching, showing how the Law's demand that we love our neighbors extends to civic prayer, while the Gospel assures us that our intercessions are heard by a merciful King who works through earthly authorities.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From human vulnerability and seeking aid (Law) to divine vigilance and protection (Gospel); movement from question to assurance
Overview
A hymn for a national day of humiliation by John Hampden Gurney. It asks the King of nations to hear a united cry for mercy: 'The guilt is ours, but grace is Thine' (st. 1). It confesses that our fathers' sins were many and ours no fewer, yet God's goodness has helped from age to age (st. 2). We bow under his chastening hand and mourn with a mourning land: 'Correct us with Thy judgments, Lord, / Then let Thy mercy spare' (st. 3).
Central theme: Corporate confession for a nation, trusting that God's chastening serves his sparing mercy
Structure
Three eight-line common-meter double stanzas. Plea (1); past sins and past help (2); chastening and mercy (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'The guilt is ours'; 'Our fathers' sins… And ours no less'; 'chast'ning hand'; 'judgments' (1-3). Gospel: 'grace is Thine'; 'Thy goodness hath been shown'; 'help in Thee was found'; 'let Thy mercy spare' (1-3).
Confessional Connections
Ps 65:2 (TLH's text): 'O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.' St. 1: 'The guilt is ours, but grace is Thine' is Law and Gospel in one line. St. 2: corporate confession of the sins of the fathers and our own (Dan 9:5; Ps 106:6; Neh 9). St. 3: 'Correct us with Thy judgments, Lord, / Then let Thy mercy spare' (Jer 10:24: 'Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger'). God's chastening is fatherly discipline, an alien work serving his proper work of mercy (Ap XII on afflictions; Heb 12).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Days of national repentance; times of war or disaster; Ash Wednesday; Lent.
Historical Notes
Gurney (1802-1862), rector of St. Mary's, Marylebone, London. The hymn dates from 1838.
About the Tune
OLD 137TH (Anglo-Genevan Psalter, 1556).
Scripture References
Ps 65:2 Ps 22:28 Joel 2:15-17 Dan 9:5-9 Ps 106:6 Neh 9:16-17 Ps 107:23-30 Ps 90:1 Heb 12:5-11 Jer 10:24 Hab 3:2
Stanza by Stanza
Great King of the nations, hear our prayer as we fall at your feet and humbly call to you for mercy with one voice. The guilt is ours, but the grace is yours; do not turn us away, but hear us from your high throne and help us when we pray.
'Kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations' (Ps 22:28). 'Let the priests… weep and say, Spare your people' (Joel 2:17). 'O you who hear prayer' (Ps 65:2).
- Scripture
- Ps 22:28, Joel 2:15-17, Ps 65:2
- Imagery & language
- King of nations; united cry; guilt ours, grace Thine.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: our guilt. Gospel: God's grace.
- Connection to previous
- Guilt and grace.
Our fathers' sins were many, and we confess ours are no fewer; yet your goodness has been shown wonderfully from age to age. When dangers surrounded our country like a stormy sea, we looked to you and cried to you, and in you we found help.
'We have sinned and done wrong… To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness' (Dan 9:5, 9). 'Both we and our fathers have sinned' (Ps 106:6). 'They cried to the LORD in their trouble' (Ps 107:28).
- Scripture
- Dan 9:5-9, Ps 106:6, Neh 9:16-17, Ps 107:23-30, Ps 90:1
- Imagery & language
- Fathers' sins; ours no less; goodness from age to age; stormy sea; help found.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: inherited and present sin. Gospel: God's help.
- Connection to previous
- Fathers' sins.
With one accord we bow humbly under your chastening hand and, pouring out fitting confession, mourn with our grieving land. Look with pity on our need as we raise our prayer; correct us with your judgments, Lord, and then let your mercy spare us.
'The Lord disciplines the one he loves' (Heb 12:6). 'Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger' (Jer 10:24). 'In wrath remember mercy' (Hab 3:2).
- Scripture
- Heb 12:5-11, Jer 10:24, Hab 3:2
- Imagery & language
- Chastening hand; confession; mourning land; correct, then spare.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: chastening. Gospel: sparing mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Correct and spare.
Themes
Prayer for nations Divine protection God's sovereignty National petition Trust in God