O God of Mercy, God of Might
O God of mercy, God of might
O God of Mercy, God of Might is a hymn text by Henry John Gauntlett (1852) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in ELH 458. Sung to ST. PETERSBURG.
This hymn emphasizes the Lutheran doctrine of Christian vocation and the calling to love one's neighbor as an expression of faith. It reflects the Gospel imperative to put mercy and compassion into action, addressing the parable of the Good Samaritan as a model for Christian living.
History & Background
Written by Henry John Gauntlett, an English organist and hymn writer, in the mid-19th century. The hymn reflects Victorian-era concern for social welfare and Christian charity, appearing in various English hymnal collections.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 458
Bulletin Note
Composed in 1852 by English musician Henry John Gauntlett, this L.M. hymn embodies the Victorian era's call to social conscience rooted in Christian vocation—mercy as the fruit of faith, not its wage.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran understanding that the Gospel's call to mercy is not a work we earn but a loving response to the grace we have already received in Christ.
Background Research
Godfrey Thring (1823–1903), son of the rector of Alford, Somerset, and his father's successor there (1858–1893); prebendary of Wells. He wrote it in 1877 and published it in his own A Church of England Hymn Book (1880; enlarged 1882). Julian lists it as an Offertory hymn, and H. S. Irons wrote a tune for it. Read it in that light: a hymn for the offering, giving thanks for God's gifts and asking that we share them with the needy. Thring is the same man who rewrote 'Crown Him with Many Crowns' (TLH 341).
Sources: hymnary.org (Thring_Godfrey, citing Julian).
In the Church Year
Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 26
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A hymn of Christian love for neighbor, built on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:36-37, TLH's reference). It prays to the Father to teach us to live to him (st. 1), to the Son who died for fallen humanity (st. 2), and grounds love for others in the fact that Christ's blood bought them (st. 3) and that he died for all (st. 4). It asks to share and help in every need 'as unto Thee' (st. 5, Matt 25:40), and prays for the Spirit's love until we meet in heaven (st. 6).
Central theme: Love for every neighbor grounded in Christ's death for all, and service to the needy as service to Christ
Structure
Father (1); Son (2); lessons of love (3-5); Spirit (6). Trinitarian frame around an ethical center.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel grounds the ethic: 'All are redeemed… since Thou… for all hast died.' The call to love is third-use Law.
Confessional Connections
Universal atonement (st. 4) as the ground of love for all people. Good works serve the neighbor (AC VI, XX). Christ in the needy (Matt 25:40).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Social ministry Sundays; Good Samaritan Gospel; Lent; stewardship; ordination of deacons.
Historical Notes
Thring (1823-1903), an Anglican priest, also contributed stanzas to 'Crown Him with Many Crowns.'
About the Tune
ISLEWORTH (Samuel Howard, 1762) in TLH; JUST AS I AM (Joseph Barnby) in LSB/ELW.
Scripture References
Luke 10:25-37 Matt 25:31-46 1 John 2:2 2 Cor 5:14-15 1 John 4:11, 19-21 Gal 6:2, 10 Rom 5:5
Stanza by Stanza
God of mercy and might, of infinite love and pity, teach us, as always, to live our lives to you in your sight.
Mercy and might together (Ps 62:11-12). 'Love and pity infinite' — God's compassion (Ps 103:13). 'Teach us… to live our life to Thee' (Rom 14:7-8). The first need is to be taught: Christian love is learned from God, not self-generated.
- Scripture
- Ps 62:11-12, Ps 103:8, 13, Rom 14:7-8, Ps 143:10
- Imagery & language
- Mercy and might; sight of God.
- Law / Gospel
- Prayer — First Article.
- Connection to previous
- Address to the Father.
And you, Christ, who came to earth to die so fallen humanity could live, hear us as we cry to you in hope.
The incarnation for the sake of the cross: 'cam'st on earth to die' (Mark 10:45; John 12:27). 'That fallen man might live thereby' (John 3:16; 1 Pet 3:18). The ethical hymn rests on this Gospel foundation.
- Scripture
- Mark 10:45, John 12:27, John 3:16, 1 Pet 3:18, Rom 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Coming to die; fallen man.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's death for us.
- Connection to previous
- Address to the Son.
Teach us your lesson: to care for those your blood has bought, so that every word, deed, and thought works for you.
The ground of compassion is redemption: we feel for 'those Thy blood hath bought' (1 Cor 8:11, 'the brother for whom Christ died'; Acts 20:28). Christ's example (John 13:34-35). 'Every word and deed and thought' (Col 3:17).
- Scripture
- John 13:34-35, 1 Cor 8:11, Acts 20:28, Col 3:17
- Imagery & language
- Lesson; blood-bought neighbor.
- Law / Gospel
- Third use, grounded in redemption.
- Connection to previous
- The lesson of love.
All are redeemed everywhere, since you, Lord, died for all; whatever happens, teach us to love them all in you.
A strong statement of universal atonement (1 John 2:2; 2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Tim 2:6) — confessed by Lutherans against limited atonement (FC XI). The ethical consequence: since Christ died for every person, every person is to be loved 'in Thee.' No neighbor is outside the scope of Christ's death, and therefore none is outside the scope of Christian love (Luke 10:29-37, 'Who is my neighbor?').
- Scripture
- 1 John 2:2, 2 Cor 5:14-15, 1 Tim 2:4-6, Luke 10:29-37
- Imagery & language
- Far and wide; all.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel (universal redemption) grounding love.
- Connection to previous
- Universal scope.
In sickness, sorrow, poverty, or worry, whatever it is, it is ours to share; wherever help is needed, may we give it as to you.
Matt 25:35-40 ('as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me'). Bearing burdens (Gal 6:2; Rom 12:15). 'As unto Thee' — Christ hidden in the needy neighbor. This is the Good Samaritan made concrete.
- Scripture
- Matt 25:35-40, Gal 6:2, Rom 12:15, Jas 2:15-17
- Imagery & language
- Sickness, sorrow, want, care.
- Law / Gospel
- Third use — service.
- Connection to previous
- Concrete service.
May your Holy Spirit move all who live to live in love, until you greet in heaven all who live to you.
Love is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22; Rom 5:5). The final line looks to heaven where love is perfected (1 Cor 13:8-13). The Trinitarian shape is complete: Father (1), Son (2), Spirit (6).
- Scripture
- Gal 5:22, Rom 5:5, 1 Cor 13:8-13, 1 John 4:7
- Imagery & language
- Spirit moving; heavenly greeting.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love as the Spirit's work.
- Connection to previous
- Address to the Spirit.
Themes
God's mercy and justice Christian compassion Neighborly love Social responsibility Kingdom of God