My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness
My heart is filled with thankfulness to God
This hymn expresses the Lutheran conviction that gratitude springs from faith in God's gracious providence and redemptive work in Christ. It emphasizes the Christian's proper response of thanksgiving as integral to the life of faith, connecting personal devotion with corporate worship.
History & Background
Written by William M. Runyan in 1923, this modern hymn of thanksgiving reflects early 20th-century American hymnody with its direct, accessible language and emphasis on personal assurance. It has become a standard hymn in Lutheran and evangelical Protestant worship, particularly during Thanksgiving seasons.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 804
- Lutheran Service Book — 697
- Lutheran Worship — 515
Bulletin Note
Written by William M. Runyan in 1923, this hymn expresses the distinctly Lutheran conviction that thanksgiving arises from faith in God's gracious providence and Christ's redemptive work, making gratitude integral to Christian discipleship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel call to grateful response, showing how assurance in Christ's redemptive work transforms gratitude from obligation into the joyful overflow of a forgiven heart.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)
Themes
Gratitude and praise Trust in divine providence Christian assurance Thanksgiving