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O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart's Desire

O Christ, our hope, our heart's desire

O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart's Desire is a hymn text by Latin: Bernard of Clairvaux; English: Ray Palmer (1150) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Ray Palmer. Found in ELH 397, elw 604, h82 310, lbw 300. Sung to ST. AGNES.

This hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the center of faith and the believer's earnest hope in resurrection and eternal life. It combines medieval mystical devotion with Reformation clarity regarding justification through faith in Christ alone.

History & Background

This Latin hymn attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux dates to the medieval period and expresses intense longing for Christ's return and presence. Ray Palmer's English translation appeared in 1858 and became standard in American Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 397
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 604
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 310
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 300
  • Lutheran Service Book — 553
  • Lutheran Worship — 151

Translation

Ray Palmer

Bulletin Note

Written by Bernard of Clairvaux (1150) and translated by American pastor Ray Palmer, this hymn distills medieval mysticism into Reformation clarity: Christ alone, through grace alone, is the hope and desire of every faithful soul.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law's ache (our exile from Christ) and the Gospel's joy (Christ as the sole answer to our deepest hunger), making it a powerful sung echo of the cross and resurrection you proclaim.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's forty-day fast as pattern for believer's Lenten struggle against sin, culminating in Easter resurrection hope

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 13 (2×)
  • Trinity 19 (2×)
  • Ascension (1×)
  • Septuagesima (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Ascension (1×)
  • Easter 2 (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.

Themes

Christ as hope Resurrection and triumph Earnest desire for Christ Eternal salvation Christological focus

Look Further