How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word
How blest are they who hear God's word
How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word is a hymn text by Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1837) in 7.6.7.6.7.7.7.6 meter. Translated by Peer Ø. Strøm. Found in elw 517, lbw 227, lw 222, tlh 48. Sung to KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS.
The hymn embodies Grundtvig's conviction that hearing God's Word proclaimed and sung in the congregation is the source of Christian blessing and renewal. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on the efficacy of the gospel and the means of grace as fundamental to faith and salvation.
History & Background
Written by Grundtvig in 1837 as part of his hymnic output celebrating the vitality of God's Word in the Church. The hymn was first published in Grundtvig's Danish hymnal collection and became a cornerstone of Danish Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 517
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 227
- Lutheran Worship — 222
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 48
Translation
Bulletin Note
Grundtvig (1783–1872), Danish bishop and hymn-writer, composed this text in 1837. His theology elevated congregational singing and Word-proclamation as vital to Christian life, shaping Nordic Lutheran worship for generations.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the gospel proclamation by insisting that faith itself is awakened through the hearing of God's Word—a conviction central to Lutheran understanding of how the Spirit works through the means of grace to create and sustain believing communities.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Proclamation of Christ's Church as eternally founded on the Rock (Matthew 16:18), immovable amid historical upheaval, sustained by grace rather than human institutions, demanding faithful living in confidence of salvation
Overview
A Norwegian hymn by Johan Nordahl Brun, Bishop of Bergen, translated by the Norwegian-American pastor Oluf Smeby. It blesses those who hear and keep God's Word: they gain wisdom, their light grows, and they have 'the oil of gladness' in sorrow (st. 1). The Word is a treasure, a sun in sorrow's night, the shield of faith, and the document in which the Father has written 'my title as His child and heir' (st. 2). St. 3 turns to the Lord's Supper: 'Today I was my Savior's guest… the Bread of Life receiving,' praying that faith may prevail and bear fruit until the judgment. Word and Sacrament together.
Central theme: The blessedness of hearing God's Word and receiving the Lord's Supper, which give light, comfort, assurance and strengthened faith
Structure
Three seven-line stanzas (8.8.7.8.8.7.7). Hearers blessed (1) — the Word as treasure and title deed (2) — the Supper (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: Word and Sacrament as gifts; 'The kingdom's thine forever' (2). 'Till my account is given before the throne' (3) — accountability.
Confessional Connections
Word and Sacrament as the means of grace (AC V). Hearing God's Word 'gladly' (SC Third Commandment). The Word as the Father's written testament of adoption and inheritance (Rom 8:16-17). St. 3: the Lord's Supper as the Savior's meal where we are guests and receive him — SC VI: 'forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words'; the Supper strengthens faith (AC XIII; LC V.23-27: 'food of souls, which nourishes and strengthens the new man'). Fruits of faith (AC VI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
After Communion (closing hymn); Reformation; Word of God; general.
Historical Notes
Brun (1745-1816), Bishop of Bergen, was also a poet and dramatist. The tune comes from Hans Thomissøn's Danish hymnal (Psalmebog, 1569).
About the Tune
TLH: MIN SJÆL OG AAND (Thomissøn's Psalmebog, 1569). This text row (616) lists OM HIMMERIGES RIGE; row 617 lists MIN SJÆL OG AAND.
Scripture References
Isa 61:3 Luke 11:28 Ps 119:105, 130 Prov 4:18 Ps 45:7 Ps 119:72, 162 Eph 6:16 Rom 8:16-17 Luke 12:32 1 Pet 1:4 Rev 3:20 John 6:35, 51 1 Cor 11:26 John 15:5, 16 2 Cor 5:10
Stanza by Stanza
How blessed are those who hear God's Word and keep and heed what they have heard! They gather wisdom daily; their light shines brighter each day; and while they walk life's weary road they have the oil of gladness to soothe their pain and sadness.
'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' (Luke 11:28). Wisdom from the Word (Ps 119:130). 'The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn' (Prov 4:18). Isa 61:3 (TLH's text): 'the oil of gladness instead of mourning.'
- Scripture
- Luke 11:28, Ps 119:105, 130, Prov 4:18, Isa 61:3
- Imagery & language
- Hearing; growing light; oil of gladness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessed hearers.
- Connection to previous
- Blessed hearers.
God's Word is a treasure to me; it will be my sun through sorrow's night and my shield of faith in battle. There the Father's hand has written my title as his child and heir: 'The kingdom is yours forever.' That promise never fails.
The Word as treasure (Ps 119:72, 162). 'The shield of faith' (Eph 6:16). The Word as legal title: 'heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ' (Rom 8:16-17). 'It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom' (Luke 12:32). The promise 'faileth never' — assurance rests on the written Word.
- Scripture
- Ps 119:72, 162, Eph 6:16, Rom 8:16-17, Luke 12:32, 1 Pet 1:4
- Imagery & language
- Treasure; sun; shield; title deed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word's promise of inheritance.
- Connection to previous
- Title deed.
Today I was my Savior's guest; my soul was richly blessed here as I received the Bread of Life. May my faith grow strong through it so that its fruits never fail until I give my account before the throne in heaven!
The Lord's Supper: Christ the host and the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 51; Rev 3:20). The Supper strengthens faith (LC V.23-27) and produces fruit (John 15:5, 16). 'Till my account is given' (2 Cor 5:10) — the Supper sustains us to the end (1 Cor 11:26).
- Scripture
- John 6:35, 51, Rev 3:20, 1 Cor 11:26, John 15:5, 16, 2 Cor 5:10
- Imagery & language
- Savior's guest; Bread of Life.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Sacrament strengthens faith.
- Connection to previous
- The Supper.
Themes
God's Word and proclamation Blessing of the gospel The living church Faith and trust in Scripture