Lord of the Harvest Hear
Lord of the harvest, hear
Lord of the Harvest Hear is a hymn text by Henry Alford (1844) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in lw 289, tlh 488. Sung to HURSLEY.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on intercessory prayer and the doctrine of vocation, recognizing that God calls workers for His kingdom's expansion. It reflects the urgency of Gospel proclamation and the corporate responsibility of the Church to pray for faithful pastors and missionaries.
History & Background
Written by Henry Alford in 1844, this missionary hymn was first published in his "Psalms and Hymns" collection and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century. It directly reflects Christ's command in Matthew 9:38 to pray for laborers in the harvest.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 289
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 488
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Alford in 1844, this L.M. hymn reflects Anglican-Lutheran shared conviction that the Church's intercession for Gospel workers participates in God's mission to gather His harvest before the end.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran doctrine of vocation by transforming intercessory prayer into an act of faith that God answers—a concrete way the Law's demand (pray!) becomes Gospel assurance (He hears and sends forth laborers).
Overview
Charles Wesley's prayer for more laborers (Matt 9:38). Lord of the harvest, hear our cry (st. 1); the harvest is great, the laborers few (st. 2); anoint and send more to speak your Word of power (st. 3); let them proclaim 'Thy universal grace… Thine all-redeeming love' (st. 4).
Central theme: Prayer for the Lord to send preachers who will proclaim his universal grace
Structure
Four short-meter quatrains. Hear (1) — great harvest (2) — anoint and send (3) — universal grace (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'universal grace'; 'all-redeeming love' (4).
Confessional Connections
Matt 9:38 (TLH's text): 'pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.' Calling ministers is God's work, done through the Church (AC XIV; Tr 67: the Church has the right to call and ordain). 'Speak Thy Word of power' (Rom 1:16; Heb 4:12). St. 4: 'Thy universal grace… Thine all-redeeming love' — Christ died for all (1 John 2:2; 1 Tim 2:4-6); Lutherans confess universal grace and atonement (FC XI.28) while rejecting both universalism and Calvinist limited atonement.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Ordination; Ember days; missions; seminary Sundays.
Historical Notes
From the Wesleys' Hymns and Sacred Poems (1742).
About the Tune
AYNHOE (James Nares, 1783, adapted).
Scripture References
Matt 9:37-38 Luke 10:2 Jas 5:16 Acts 13:2-3 Rom 10:15 1 Cor 3:9 2 Cor 6:1 1 Tim 2:4-6 1 John 2:2 Titus 2:11
Stanza by Stanza
Lord of the harvest, hear your needy servants' cry; answer the effective prayer of our faith and supply all our needs.
'Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest' (Matt 9:38). 'The prayer of a righteous person has great power' (Jas 5:16).
- Scripture
- Matt 9:38, Jas 5:16
- Imagery & language
- Lord of harvest; cry; effectual prayer.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer heard.
- Connection to previous
- Hear.
We wait humbly on you; our needs are in your view. The harvest, Lord, is truly great; the workers are few.
'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few' (Matt 9:37; Luke 10:2).
- Scripture
- Matt 9:37, Luke 10:2
- Imagery & language
- Waiting; wants seen; harvest great; laborers few.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the need.
- Connection to previous
- Laborers few.
Anoint and send out more into your Church far and wide, and let them speak your powerful Word as workers together with God.
'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul… they sent them off' (Acts 13:2-3). 'We are God's fellow workers' (1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).
- Scripture
- Acts 13:2-3, 1 Cor 3:9, Rom 10:15
- Imagery & language
- Anoint; send; Word of power; workers with God.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word sent.
- Connection to previous
- Send more.
Let them spread your name, prove their mission fully, and proclaim your universal grace, your all-redeeming love!
'Who desires all people to be saved… who gave himself as a ransom for all' (1 Tim 2:4-6). 'Not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world' (1 John 2:2). FC XI.28.
- Scripture
- 1 Tim 2:4-6, 1 John 2:2, Titus 2:11
- Imagery & language
- Spread the name; universal grace; all-redeeming love.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — universal grace.
- Connection to previous
- Universal grace.
Themes
Mission and evangelism Prayer for workers Harvest of souls Divine calling Intercessory prayer