My Inmost Heart Now Raises
My inmost heart now raises
My Inmost Heart Now Raises is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in ELH 79, lw 341, tlh 548. Sung to GOTT SEI DANK.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on thanksgiving as a natural response to God's grace and mercy, grounded in Psalm 118. It reflects the devotional character of Lutheran piety, encouraging heartfelt gratitude as integral to Christian life.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Mein innigstes Herze' was published in early 17th-century German hymnals. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in her influential collection of German hymns for English-speaking congregations.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 79
- Lutheran Worship — 341
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 548
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1557–1622) wrote this hymn grounded in Psalm 118, embodying the Lutheran conviction that heartfelt gratitude is integral to Christian devotion and the mark of one who truly knows God's mercy.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the proclamation of Gospel mercy into doxology, teaching that authentic thanksgiving is the believer's natural and necessary response to undeserved grace.
Background Research
Georg Niege (1525-1588), Hessian soldier-poet: trained in music at Kassel, studied at Marburg, then some 20 years of soldiering (Smalcald War, campaigns in Scotland and the Netherlands), later magistrate at Lage and steward at Herford. 'Aus meines Herzens Grunde' (c. 1586) was printed in his Creutzbüchlein at Herford (1585-87) without melodies, because the printer had no music type. His manuscripts were rediscovered in the Berlin royal library in 1918. Selnecker admired his work. Corrects my earlier note (not Hamburg 1598 for the text). Source: bach-cantatas.com.
Overview
A classic Lutheran morning hymn, attributed in TLH to Georg Niege (Nigidius) and closely modeled on Luther's Morning Prayer. Praise through Christ (st. 1); thanks for the night's protection and prayer for pardon (st. 2); a litany of protection — from sin, the devil, shame, fire, flood, need and 'evil sudden death' (st. 3); keep your angel near lest Satan deceive (st. 4); God shall advise me; I commit myself and mine to him (st. 5); 'Amen I say, not fearing / That God rejects my prayer' (st. 6) — the Catechism's Amen.
Central theme: Morning praise, confession and commitment to God's protection, sealed with a confident Amen
Structure
Six eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6.6.7.7.6). Praise (1) — thanks and pardon (2) — protection litany (3) — angel (4) — committal (5) — Amen (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'my transgression'; the devil; Satan's arts (2-4). Gospel: 'Thro' Christ, Thine only Son'; pardon; God's guidance; 'God's help shall be my stay' (1-2, 5-6).
Confessional Connections
Ps 118:1 (TLH's text). The hymn tracks SC Morning Prayer — thanks for the night, 'keep me this day also from sin and every evil… For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me' — and SC Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer: 'Amen… I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father… and are heard.' St. 6 says exactly that: 'Amen I say, not fearing / That God rejects my prayer; / I doubt not He is hearing.' St. 3's litany ('From evil sudden death') echoes the Litany (TLH p. 110). St. 1: praise offered 'Thro' Christ' (John 14:13; AC XXI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Morning; Matins; daily devotion.
Historical Notes
Attributed to Georg Niege (1525-1588), soldier and later official in Herford; first published in Hamburg (1598) with its tune. Authorship is sometimes questioned (verify).
About the Tune
AUS MEINES HERZENS GRUNDE (Neu Catechismus-Gesangbüchlein, Hamburg, 1598).
Scripture References
Ps 118:1 Ps 92:1-2 John 14:13 Ps 3:5 Luke 18:13 Ps 91:3-7 Isa 43:2 Ps 91:11 2 Cor 11:14 Ps 73:24 Ps 37:5 1 Pet 5:7 2 Cor 1:20 Phil 3:13-14
Stanza by Stanza
In this fair morning hour my inmost heart raises a song of thankful praise to your almighty power, God on your throne. To honor and adore you, I bring my praise before you through Christ, your only Son.
'It is good to give thanks to the LORD… to declare your steadfast love in the morning' (Ps 92:1-2). Praise through Christ (John 14:13; Heb 13:15).
- Scripture
- Ps 92:1-2, Ps 118:1, Heb 13:15
- Imagery & language
- Inmost heart; morning; praise; through Christ.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — praise through Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Morning praise.
For you have kept all the dangers of the night away from me and guarded my soul from every harm until morning light. I cry humbly to you: Savior, have compassion and pardon my transgression; have mercy, Lord most high!
SC Morning Prayer: 'kept me this night from all harm and danger.' 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner' (Luke 18:13).
- Scripture
- Ps 3:5, Luke 18:13
- Imagery & language
- Perils warded; compassion; pardon.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — transgression; Gospel — mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Pardon.
And shield me from all evil today, gracious God: from sin and from the devil, from shame and dismay, from fire's consuming breath, from water's devastation, from need and alarm, from evil sudden death.
'He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence' (Ps 91:3). 'When you walk through fire you shall not be burned' (Isa 43:2). The Litany: 'From sudden and evil death, good Lord, deliver us.'
- Scripture
- Ps 91:3-7, Isa 43:2, Matt 6:13
- Imagery & language
- Sin; devil; shame; fire; flood; sudden death.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — protection.
- Connection to previous
- Shield me.
Do not let your angel leave me while I stay here on earth, so that Satan's tricks do not deceive me and lead my soul astray. Keep your angel near at night and every new morning, so that soul and body do not suffer and stumbling cost me dearly.
'He will command his angels concerning you' (Ps 91:11). 'Satan disguises himself as an angel of light' (2 Cor 11:14). SC: 'that the evil foe may have no power over me.'
- Scripture
- Ps 91:11, 2 Cor 11:14
- Imagery & language
- Angel; Satan's arts; night and morning.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — Satan's deception; Gospel — the angel's guard.
- Connection to previous
- Angel near.
God will be my counselor, whose might is blended with wisdom; may he bless my rest and rising, my efforts, means and ends! To God, blessed forever, I will entrust myself and mine and willingly let him guide me as seems best to him.
'You guide me with your counsel' (Ps 73:24). 'Commit your way to the LORD' (Ps 37:5). SC: 'into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.'
- Scripture
- Ps 73:24, Ps 37:5, 1 Pet 5:7
- Imagery & language
- God advising; rest and rising; confide; guide.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — committal.
- Connection to previous
- Committal.
I say Amen, not afraid that God rejects my prayer; I do not doubt that he is hearing and granting me his care. So I go on my way and do not look back, but work at the task assigned to me; God's help will be my support.
SC Conclusion: 'Amen, amen means yes, yes, it shall be so' — certainty that God hears. 'All the promises of God find their Yes in him… through him we utter our Amen' (2 Cor 1:20). 'Forgetting what lies behind' (Phil 3:13). SC Morning Prayer ends: 'then go joyfully to your work.'
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 1:20, Phil 3:13-14, 1 Cor 7:17
- Imagery & language
- Amen; not fearing; doubt not; task assigned.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — certainty of being heard.
- Connection to previous
- Amen.
Themes
Gratitude Divine providence Praise and thanksgiving God's mercy