Lord We Come before Thee Now
Lord we come before Thee now
Lord We Come before Thee Now is a hymn text by Johann Heermann (1630) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in tlh 18. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn reflects Lutheran theology of prayer and the priesthood of all believers, inviting the congregation to approach God with reverence and confidence. It embodies the participatory nature of congregational worship central to Lutheran reform theology.
History & Background
Originally written in German by Johann Heermann in the early 17th century as a congregational prayer hymn. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in her collection, establishing its use in English Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 18
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Johann Heermann in 1630, this German hymn crystallizes Luther's doctrine of the priesthood of all believers—every Christian's right and privilege to approach God in prayer without earthly mediation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law's summons to reverence and the Gospel's astounding promise: sinners may approach God directly through Christ, transforming prayer from fearful duty into joyful access.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Background Research
William Hammond (1719–1783), born at Battle, Sussex, St John's College, Cambridge. His spiritual journey ran through the whole Evangelical Revival: Calvinistic Methodist (1743), then Moravian (1745). He died in London and was buried in the Moravian burial ground, Sloane Street, Chelsea, leaving an unpublished autobiography written in Greek. Both his original hymns and his Latin translations appeared in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (1745). Julian names this among his hymns that 'have attained to a foremost position', for their scriptural fidelity and earnestness. An opening-of-worship hymn: 'Lord, we come before thee now; / At thy feet we humbly bow', asking that we not seek in vain, but be comforted, pardoned, healed, and send away blessed (Hymnary heading 'Opening Worship'). Duffield's English Hymns (1888, p. 342) has a section on it; next lead.
Sources: hymnologyarchive.com 'William Hammond' (citing Julian).
Overview
An opening-of-worship hymn by William Hammond, an English scholar who moved from the Calvinistic Methodists to the Moravians. The congregation bows before God and asks not to seek him in vain (st. 1), depending on him for grace and praise (st. 2). St. 3 is notable: 'In Thine own appointed way now we seek Thee' — we seek God where he has promised to be found. St. 4 asks for 'some message from Thy Word' and the Spirit's gift of salvation. The last stanzas intercede for mourners, the downcast, the sick and captives (st. 5-6).
Central theme: Seeking God in worship where he has promised to be found — in his Word — for grace, peace and comfort
Structure
Six 7.7.7.7 quatrains. Approach (1) — dependence (2) — God's appointed way (3) — the Word (4) — intercession (5-6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: compassion, grace, 'peace and joy' from the Word, 'full salvation' (2, 4). Need named: mourners, the downcast, the sick, captives (5-6).
Confessional Connections
'In Thine own appointed way' — God is to be sought where he has bound himself to be found: in the Word and Sacraments (AC V; SA III.8: God does not deal with us except through the external Word and Sacrament). 'Send some message from Thy Word… Let Thy Spirit now impart full salvation' — the Spirit works through the Word. 'We know not how to go till a blessing Thou bestow' — like Jacob, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me' (Gen 32:26) — anticipating the Benediction.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Opening of worship; general.
Historical Notes
Hammond (1719-1783), a Cambridge-educated scholar, published Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (1745) and later joined the Moravians.
About the Tune
VIENNA (Justin H. Knecht, 1797).
Scripture References
Ps 27:8 Ps 95:6 Jer 29:13-14 Isa 45:19 Ps 145:15-16 Ps 51:15 Gen 32:26 Rom 10:17 Ps 85:8 Isa 61:1-3 Matt 5:4 Ps 42:5 Luke 4:18
Stanza by Stanza
Lord, we come before you now and bow humbly at your feet; do not reject our request! Shall we seek you in vain, Lord?
Ps 27:8 (TLH's text): 'You have said, Seek my face. My heart says to you, Your face, LORD, do I seek.' 'I did not say… Seek me in vain' (Isa 45:19).
- Scripture
- Ps 27:8, Ps 95:6, Isa 45:19
- Imagery & language
- Bowing; seeking.
- Law / Gospel
- Prayer — approach.
- Connection to previous
- We come.
Lord, our souls depend on you; come down now in compassion, fill our hearts with your rich grace, and tune our lips to sing your praise.
Dependence (Ps 145:15-16). 'O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise' (Ps 51:15) — praise is God's gift.
- Scripture
- Ps 145:15-16, Ps 51:15, John 15:5
- Imagery & language
- Dependence; tuned lips.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace and praise given.
- Connection to previous
- Dependence.
We seek you now in your own appointed way, and here we stay. Lord, we do not know how to leave until you give us a blessing.
God is found where he has promised: 'You will seek me and find me' (Jer 29:13-14) — in Word and Sacrament (AC V). Jacob: 'I will not let you go unless you bless me' (Gen 32:26). The Benediction answers this prayer.
- Scripture
- Jer 29:13-14, Gen 32:26, Num 6:24-26
- Imagery & language
- Appointed way; blessing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God found in his means.
- Connection to previous
- Appointed way.
Send some message from your Word that may give peace and joy; let your Spirit now give full salvation to every heart.
'Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ' (Rom 10:17). 'He will speak peace to his people' (Ps 85:8). The Spirit imparts salvation through the Word (AC V).
- Scripture
- Rom 10:17, Ps 85:8, John 6:63
- Imagery & language
- Message from the Word; peace and joy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Word and Spirit.
- Connection to previous
- The Word.
Comfort those who weep and mourn; let the time of joy return; lift up those who are cast down; make them strong in faith and hope.
'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matt 5:4). 'To comfort all who mourn… the oil of gladness' (Isa 61:2-3). 'Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God' (Ps 42:5).
- Scripture
- Matt 5:4, Isa 61:2-3, Ps 42:5
- Imagery & language
- Mourners; cast down.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — comfort.
- Connection to previous
- Mourners.
Grant that everyone may seek and find you as a gracious and kind God. Heal the sick and set the captive free; let us all rejoice in you.
'Seek, and you will find' (Matt 7:7). Christ's mission: 'liberty to the captives… recovering of sight' (Luke 4:18). God found 'gracious and kind' — in Christ.
- Scripture
- Matt 7:7, Luke 4:18, Ps 145:8, Phil 4:4
- Imagery & language
- Seek and find; sick and captive.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace for all.
- Connection to previous
- All may find.
Themes
Invocation and prayer Reverence and worship Opening worship God's presence Congregation gathering