Jesus Thy Church with Longing Eyes
Jesus, thy church with longing eyes
Jesus Thy Church with Longing Eyes is a hymn text by Samuel Francis Smith (1861) in C.M. meter. Found in lw 303, tlh 64. Sung to STUTTGART.
This hymn reflects Lutheran eschatological hope centered on Christ's bodily return and the Church's expectation of eternal fellowship with him. It emphasizes the active longing of the Church militant for the completion of God's kingdom and the vindication of faith.
History & Background
Written by American hymn poet Samuel Francis Smith in 1861, this hymn expresses the Church's longing for Christ's return as described in Revelation 1:7. It was first published in Smith's hymnal collections and became widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals, particularly the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (TLH 64).
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 303
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 64
Bulletin Note
Written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1861, this hymn expresses Lutheran eschatological hope—the Church militant's longing for Christ's bodily return and the vindication of faith in perfect fellowship with the risen Lord.
Preaching Connection
This hymn gives voice to the Church's eschatological tension between the 'already' of Christ's redemptive work and the 'not yet' of his return, embodying how Law calls us to vigilance while Gospel sustains us with the promise of eternal communion.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (human longing and sin-awareness) → Gospel (Christ's deliverance and reign) → Sanctification (Spirit's rule in believers' hearts)
Background Research
William Hiley Bathurst (1796–1877), born near Bristol, Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. He was Rector of Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, for 32 years (1820–52). He resigned in 1852 over conscientious objections to parts of the Prayer Book's baptismal and burial services (from memory: chiefly the baptismal regeneration language), notable for Lutheran readers, who would affirm what he rejected. He later inherited the family estate at Lydney Park (1863), and was buried, surprisingly, in Lafayette Cemetery, New Orleans. His Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use (1830/31) contained his versions of 132 psalms and all 206 hymns. This mission hymn has the church 'with longing eyes' awaiting the day when all nations know Christ; TLH abridges it and places it in Advent.
Sources: Wikipedia 'William Hiley Bathurst'.
Overview
An Advent hymn of expectation by William Hiley Bathurst, an English clergyman. The Church waits with longing eyes for Christ's coming (st. 1); even in storms it recalls his words that redemption is near (st. 2). It prays him to renew hearts, repel foes, subdue humanity's rooted enmity and crown the Gospel with success (st. 3); to reign over every land, cast Satan down and revive a dying world by grace (st. 4); and to teach us to watch and pray until the appointed hour (st. 5).
Central theme: The Church's longing for Christ's coming, and prayer for the Gospel's victory and watchful readiness meanwhile
Structure
Five long-meter quatrains. Longing (1) — storms and promise (2) — renewal and the Gospel (3) — Christ's reign (4) — watchfulness (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'man's rooted enmity'; 'a dying world' (3-4). Gospel: 'crown Thy Gospel with success'; 'grace revive' (3-4).
Confessional Connections
Christ's coming in glory (AC XVII). 'Man's rooted enmity' — the natural mind is hostile to God (Rom 8:7; FC II.7). The Gospel's success depends on grace (AC V). St. 4's 'reign o'er every land' should be read as the Gospel's spread and Christ's final reign at his return, not an earthly millennium (AC XVII.5 rejects such 'Jewish opinions'). Watchfulness and prayer (Matt 25:13).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Advent; Last Sundays of the Church Year; missions.
Historical Notes
Bathurst (1796-1877), an Anglican rector, published Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use (1831).
About the Tune
O JESU CHRIST, MEIN'S LEBENS LICHT (Nürnbergisches Gesangbuch, 1676).
Scripture References
Rev 1:7 Rev 22:20 Isa 60:1-3 Luke 21:25-28 Rom 8:7 Ezek 36:26 2 Thess 3:1 Luke 10:18 Rev 12:9-10 Phil 2:10-11 Matt 24:42 Matt 25:13 Mark 13:33 Col 1:12
Stanza by Stanza
Jesus, your Church waits with longing eyes for your expected coming. When will the promised light rise and glory shine from Zion's gates?
Rev 1:7 (TLH's text): 'Behold, he is coming with the clouds.' 'Arise, shine, for your light has come' (Isa 60:1). 'Come, Lord Jesus!' (Rev 22:20).
- Scripture
- Rev 1:7, Isa 60:1-3, Rev 22:20
- Imagery & language
- Longing eyes; promised light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — expectation.
- Connection to previous
- Longing.
Even now, when storms fall around us and wintry clouds cover the sky, we gladly remember your words and believe our redemption is near.
'When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near' (Luke 21:28). The words of Christ sustain in storms.
- Scripture
- Luke 21:25-28, Mark 13:31
- Imagery & language
- Tempests; words recalled; redemption nigh.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — redemption near.
- Connection to previous
- In storms.
Come, gracious Lord, renew our hearts, drive back our enemies, right our wrongs, subdue humanity's deep-rooted hostility, and crown your Gospel with success.
A new heart (Ezek 36:26). 'The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God' (Rom 8:7). 'That the word of the Lord may speed ahead' (2 Thess 3:1).
- Scripture
- Ezek 36:26, Rom 8:7, 2 Thess 3:1
- Imagery & language
- Renewal; rooted enmity; Gospel's success.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — enmity; Gospel — renewal.
- Connection to previous
- Renew us.
Come and reign over every land; let Satan be thrown from his throne; let all nations bow to your command and let grace revive a dying world.
'I saw Satan fall like lightning' (Luke 10:18); 'the accuser… has been thrown down' (Rev 12:9-10). Every knee bows (Phil 2:10-11). Christ reigns now by the Gospel and will reign visibly at his return.
- Scripture
- Luke 10:18, Rev 12:9-10, Phil 2:10-11, Rev 11:15
- Imagery & language
- Reign; Satan hurled; dying world.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace for a dying world.
- Connection to previous
- Reign.
Teach us to wait for the appointed hour in watchfulness and prayer, and make us fit by your grace to share the triumphs of your conquering power.
'Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour' (Matt 25:13). 'Be on guard, keep awake' (Mark 13:33). Made fit by grace (Col 1:12) — not by our own preparation.
- Scripture
- Matt 24:42, Matt 25:13, Mark 13:33, Col 1:12
- Imagery & language
- Watchfulness; appointed hour; fit by grace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — readiness by grace.
- Connection to previous
- Watch.
Themes
Christ's return Church anticipation Eschatology Second Coming Hope