Lord Open Thou My Heart to Hear

Lord, open Thou my heart to hear

Lord Open Thou My Heart to Hear is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW21 632, CW93 282, ELH 24, elw 518.

The hymn expresses the Lutheran emphasis on the centrality of God's Word and the believer's receptive posture toward Scripture. It reflects the Reformation principle of sola scriptura while acknowledging human dependence on divine grace for understanding.

History & Background

Originally written in German by Martin Behm as 'Herr, öffne mir die Sinn' in the early 17th century. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her collection 'Lyra Germanica,' becoming a standard Lutheran hymn.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship: Hymnal — 632
Christian Worship — 282
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 24
Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 518
Lutheran Service Book — 908
Lutheran Worship — 197
The Lutheran Hymnal — 5

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this German hymn embodies the Reformation conviction that Scripture is central to faith. Its simple prayer—'open my heart'—recognizes human helplessness and dependence on grace.

Preaching Connection

This hymn deepens the Law's demand for obedience and receptiveness by anchoring our response in Gospel grace—only God's Spirit can truly open a heart hardened by sin to receive and keep His Word.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Of Justification Augsburg Confession

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

Trinity 12 (2×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Proper 10 (2×)
Epiphany 3 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A short pre-sermon hymn by Olearius (author of 'Comfort, Comfort'), translated by the Ohio Synod theologian Matthias Loy. It prays for an opened heart and God's nearness through the Word, for faithfulness to the pure Word and perseverance as God's child (st. 1); praises what the Word does — moves, heals, gladdens, brings peace (st. 2); and closes with a doxology (st. 3). It is a compact Lutheran theology of the Word.

Central theme: Prayer for an open heart to receive the Word, which heals, gladdens, and gives peace

Structure

Petition (1); the Word's effects (2); doxology (3). Stanza 2 uses the anaphora 'Thy Word…' four times.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel — the Word's saving power.

Confessional Connections

AC V: the Spirit works faith through the Word. 'E'er pure retain' — pure doctrine (AC VII). 'Child and heir' — baptismal identity.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Before the sermon; Bible studies; confirmation.

Historical Notes

Olearius (1611-1684), court preacher at Halle and Weissenfels; Loy (1828-1915), president of the Joint Synod of Ohio and editor of the Ohio Synod hymnal (1880).

About the Tune

ERHALT UNS, HERR (Wittenberg, 1543).

Scripture References

Acts 16:14 Jas 4:8 2 Tim 1:13-14 Gal 4:7 Heb 4:12 Ps 107:20 Ps 119:111, 165

Stanza by Stanza

1 Lord, open Thou my heart to hear…

Lord, open my heart to hear and come near me through your Word; let me always keep your Word pure, and let me remain your child and heir.

Acts 16:14 ('The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul'). God opens the heart — hearing is his gift (FC II). 'Through Thy Word to me draw near' — God comes through the Word (Jas 4:8; Rom 10:8). 'E'er pure retain' (2 Tim 1:13-14) — faithfulness to pure doctrine. 'Child and heir' (Rom 8:16-17; Gal 4:7) — baptismal identity preserved through the Word.

Scripture: Acts 16:14, Jas 4:8, Rom 10:8, 2 Tim 1:13-14, Rom 8:16-17, Gal 4:7
Imagery & language: Opened heart; drawing near; heir.
Law / Gospel: Gospel prayer.
Connection to previous: Petition.

hearing the Word pure doctrine adoption perseverance

2 Thy Word doth deeply move the heart…

Your Word moves the heart deeply, gives perfect health, blesses the soul with joy, and brings peace and happiness.

A litany of the Word's effects. It moves the heart (Heb 4:12; Acts 2:37), heals (Ps 107:20, 'He sent out his word and healed them'), gladdens (Ps 19:8; 119:111), and gives peace (Ps 119:165). For Lutherans the Word is efficacious — it does what it says, because the Spirit works through it (Isa 55:11).

Scripture: Heb 4:12, Acts 2:37, Ps 107:20, Ps 19:8, Ps 119:111, 165, Isa 55:11
Imagery & language: Moving, healing, blessing, peace.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — power of the Word.
Connection to previous: The Word's effects.

efficacy of the Word joy peace

3 To God, the Father, God the Son…

Glory, praise, and honor to God the Father, Son, and Spirit, three in one, now and forever.

Trinitarian doxology.

Scripture: Matt 28:19, Rev 5:13
Imagery & language: Doxology.
Law / Gospel: Doxology.
Connection to previous: Doxology.

Trinity

Themes

Word of God Receptivity to Scripture Spiritual openness Obedience Grace

Look Further

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