May God Bestow on Us His Grace
May God bestow on us his grace
May God Bestow on Us His Grace is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1524) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in elw 279, lbw 335, lsb 823-824, lw 288.
This hymn exemplifies the Lutheran understanding of divine grace working through Word and Sacrament to preserve the Church against spiritual enemies and false doctrine. It reflects Luther's conviction that God's word and blessing are essential for Christian unity and faithful witness.
History & Background
Originally written as 'Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort' in 1524, this hymn was Luther's prayer for God's protection of the Church amid religious conflict. It became one of the most significant Lutheran reformation hymns and has been translated into English multiple times.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 279
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 335
- Lutheran Service Book — 823-824
- Lutheran Worship — 288
- Trinity Hymnal — 642
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 500
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Luther, 1524. Written during the Reformation struggle, this hymn anchors the Church's hope not in political power or human effort, but in God's preserving grace through Word and Sacrament—a distinctly Lutheran conviction born in conflict.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms Luther's anxiety about doctrinal corruption into a Gospel proclamation of God's active protection—showing how the Law's exposure of our enemies becomes the occasion for celebrating grace working through Word and Sacrament.
Overview
Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 67, often called the first Protestant missionary hymn. It prays for God's grace and the light of his face, so that his saving health may be known and 'Christ's riches' shown to the nations (st. 1); for all nations to praise God, who judges justly and feeds his people with his Word (st. 2); and for the people to praise him and bear fruit, closing with a Trinitarian blessing (st. 3). Luther Christianizes the psalm: the 'saving health' is Christ, and the means is the Word.
Central theme: God's grace in Christ made known to all nations through his Word
Structure
Three nine-line stanzas following Ps 67: blessing and mission (vv. 1-2 → st. 1); nations' praise and the Word as pasture (vv. 3-4 → st. 2); harvest and blessing (vv. 5-7 → st. 3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout; God 'shalt judge… nor suffer sin to flourish' (2) is the Law's note.
Confessional Connections
Mission through the Word (AC V; Rom 10:17). 'Christ's riches without measure' (Eph 3:8). The Word as the Church's pasture — Luther's emphasis on preaching. Good works as fruit (AC VI). Trinitarian blessing (Aaronic).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Mission festivals; Epiphany; closing hymn; Rogate; harvest.
Historical Notes
Written 1523, printed in the Achtliederbuch (1524). The Strassburg tune (1525) is used in TLH. Massie's translation dates from 1851.
About the Tune
ES WOLLE GOTT UNS GNÄDIG SEIN (Strassburg, 1525); row 1014 uses ELVET BANKS.
Scripture References
Ps 67 Num 6:24-26 2 Cor 4:6 Eph 3:8 Matt 28:19 Isa 49:6 Acts 17:31 Ps 23:1-2 Matt 4:4 John 21:15-17 Col 1:10 Ps 85:12 Isa 55:10-11 2 Cor 13:14
Stanza by Stanza
May God give us his grace and provide us rich blessings, and may the brightness of his face guide us to eternal life, so that we may know his saving health, his gracious will and pleasure, and also show the heathen Christ's riches without measure and convert them to God.
Ps 67:1-2: 'May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.' The Aaronic blessing (Num 6:24-26). Luther names the 'saving health' as Christ and adds 'Christ's riches without measure' (Eph 3:8) and 'unto God convert them' — missionary purpose. The face of God shines in Christ (2 Cor 4:6).
- Scripture
- Ps 67:1-2, Num 6:24-26, 2 Cor 4:6, Eph 3:8, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- Shining face; riches; nations.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace for us and the nations.
- Connection to previous
- Blessing and mission.
Yours shall be the praise and thanks of every nation, and the whole world will raise its voice with joy; for you will judge the earth, Lord, and not let sin flourish; your Word is your people's pasture to feed and nourish their souls and keep them in righteous paths.
Ps 67:3-4: 'Let the nations be glad… for you judge the peoples with equity.' God's just judgment (Acts 17:31). Luther's addition: 'Thy people's pasture is Thy Word' — the Word as food for souls (Matt 4:4; Ps 23:1-2; John 21:15-17). The Church lives from preaching.
- Scripture
- Ps 67:3-4, Acts 17:31, Ps 23:1-2, Matt 4:4, John 21:15-17
- Imagery & language
- Nations' praise; pasture.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word feeds; Law — judgment of sin.
- Connection to previous
- Praise and the Word.
Let the people praise your worth, increasing in good works; the land will bring forth plentiful fruit; your Word is rich in blessing. May God the Father, Son and Spirit bless us! Let all the world praise him alone; let holy awe possess us.
Ps 67:5-7: 'The earth has yielded its increase; God… shall bless us.' Luther reads the harvest spiritually: 'good works increasing' (Col 1:10) and the Word 'rich in blessing' (Isa 55:10-11). The blessing becomes Trinitarian. 'Solemn awe' — the fear of God.
- Scripture
- Ps 67:5-7, Col 1:10, Isa 55:10-11, 2 Cor 13:14
- Imagery & language
- Harvest; Trinitarian blessing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — fruitful Word and blessing.
- Connection to previous
- Harvest.
Themes
God's mercy and blessing Unity and faith Divine protection Christian unity Prayer for grace