O Jesus Blessed Lord to You
O Jesus, blessed Lord, to Thee
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran emphasis on heartfelt gratitude for divine grace and Christ's redemptive work, central to the Christian life. It reflects the Reformation recovery of direct praise to Christ and thanksgiving as essential spiritual disciplines, connecting personal devotion with liturgical worship.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German thanksgiving hymn in the early 17th century as part of his devotional poetry. Catherine Winkworth's 1863 English translation introduced it to the Anglo-Lutheran tradition, becoming widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 541
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 220
- Lutheran Service Book — 632
- Lutheran Worship — 245
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 309
- Voices Together — 484
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn reflects the Reformation's recovery of direct, personal praise to Christ and exemplifies Lutheran devotion centered on grateful response to divine grace and redemption.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's power to move us from awareness of Christ's redemptive work to spontaneous praise, showing how grace inevitably awakens grateful love in the believer.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Thanksgiving to Christ Gratitude for grace Devotion to Jesus Adoration Gift of salvation