O Lord I Sing with Lips and Heart

O Lord, I sing with lips and heart

O Lord I Sing with Lips and Heart is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lsb 737, lw 434, tlh 569.

This hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on the integration of body, mind, and spirit in worship, reflecting the Reformation's recovery of congregational singing as vital to faith expression. It demonstrates the Lutheran commitment to heartfelt devotion combined with doctrinal clarity in praise.

History & Background

Martin Behm's German hymn 'O Herr, ich sing mit Leib und Herz' was published in the early 17th century as an expression of devotional praise. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection 'Lyra Germanica,' making it accessible to English-speaking Lutherans.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Service Book — 737
Lutheran Worship — 434
The Lutheran Hymnal — 569

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn crystallizes Lutheran piety: the integration of passionate devotion with doctrinal substance, sung by the whole congregation as a vital means of faith.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's movement from divine grace received to joyful human response, making it a powerful congregational echo of how the proclamation of Christ's redemption awakens willing praise rather than mere legal obligation.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

TLH 569. "Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund" by Paul Gerhardt, first published in the 5th edition of Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica (1653) (Wikipedia). Still in the German EG (no. 324). The original has 18 stanzas, and TLH uses 9 (index). It is a hymn of thanks for God's providence in daily life. John Kelly's English first appeared as "O Lord! I sing with mouth and heart" in Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs (1867, p. 255); TLH alters "mouth" to "lips". Lutheran Chorale Book has a revision, "I sing, O Lord, with lips and heart", on the tune ICH SINGE DIR. Hewitt's Gerhardt book at CCEL (h_118) has another version.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

Paul Gerhardt's great hymn of thanksgiving for providence, abridged from a much longer original. The singer praises God and makes him known (st. 1). God is the Fount of grace (st. 2), and every living thing receives from his love (st. 3). A run of 'Who?' questions asks who made the sky, sends rain and dew, gives warmth and shelter, ripens fruit, gives health and keeps peace in the land (st. 4-6). The answer: you, Lord, are the Author of all of it, watching while we rest (st. 7). You feed us, help us in fear (st. 8), meet our deepest need and lead us home (st. 9).

Central theme: Joyful praise of the Father's providence, from rain and harvest to peace in the land and eternal life

Structure

Nine common-meter quatrains. Praise (1-3); the 'Who?' catechism of providence (4-6); the answer, 'Thou art the Author' (7); help in fear (8); the deepest need, heaven (9).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'Fount of grace'; 'bounteous love'; 'Our deepest need dost Thou supply'; 'Thou leadest to our home on high' (2-3, 9). The Law is touched only in 'war's woes' and 'time of fear' (6, 8).

Confessional Connections

Ps 92:1 (TLH's text): 'It is good to give thanks to the LORD.' St. 4-7 read like a sung version of the explanation of the First Article: 'He richly and daily provides me with all that I need… defends me against all danger, and guards and protects me from all evil… And for all this it is my duty to thank and praise' (SC Creed I). St. 6: 'golden peace' and protection from war belong to daily bread (SC Fourth Petition). St. 9 rises above the First Article: 'Our deepest need' and 'all that lasts for aye' point to the Second and Third Articles and eternal life (Matt 6:33).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Thanksgiving Day; harvest; general praise; Trinity season.

Historical Notes

Gerhardt (1607-1676) first published it in Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica (1653). The original has 18 stanzas, and TLH uses 9. John Kelly's translation appeared in Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs (1867).

About the Tune

ICH SINGE DIR MIT HERZ UND MUND (Harmonischer Liederschatz, Frankfurt, 1738).

Scripture References

Ps 92:1-2 Ps 9:1 Ps 36:9 Jer 2:13 Acts 17:25-28 Ps 104:2 Ps 147:8 Ps 147:16-18 Gen 8:22 Ps 104:27 Ps 147:14 Ps 121:4-5 Ps 46:1 Matt 6:33 John 14:2-3 2 Cor 5:1

Stanza by Stanza

1 O Lord, I sing with lips and heart,…

Lord, I sing to you with lips and heart, joy of my soul. I tell the world about you as far as I know you.

'I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds' (Ps 9:1). 'To declare your steadfast love in the morning' (Ps 92:2).

Scripture: Ps 9:1, Ps 92:1-2
Imagery & language: Lips and heart; joy of my soul; making God known.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: praise that witnesses.
Connection to previous: Praise.

praise witness

2 Thou art the Fount of grace, I know,…

I know you are the Fountain of grace, a spring so full and free, from which saving health and goodness flow so generously every day.

'With you is the fountain of life' (Ps 36:9). 'Me, the fountain of living waters' (Jer 2:13). 'New every morning' (Lam 3:23).

Scripture: Ps 36:9, Jer 2:13, Lam 3:22-23
Imagery & language: Fount; spring; saving health; daily.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: grace that never runs dry.
Connection to previous: Fount of grace.

grace providence

3 For what have all that live and move…

For what does any living thing in this wide world have that does not flow from your generous love, heavenly Father?

'In him we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:28). 'He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything' (Acts 17:25). 'What do you have that you did not receive?' (1 Cor 4:7).

Scripture: Acts 17:25-28, 1 Cor 4:7
Imagery & language: All that live and move; bounteous love; Father.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: everything is gift.
Connection to previous: All from Thee.

providence creation

4 Who built the lofty firmament?…

Who built the high heavens? Who spread out the blue sky? Who sends refreshing rain and dew to our pastures?

'Stretching out the heavens like a tent' (Ps 104:2). 'He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth' (Ps 147:8).

Scripture: Ps 104:2, Ps 147:8, Isa 40:22
Imagery & language: Firmament; blue; rain and dew.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: the Creator's care.
Connection to previous: Who built?

creation providence

5 Who warmeth us in cold and frost?…

Who keeps us warm in cold and frost? Who shelters us from the wind? Who arranges things so that we find fruit and grain in their season?

'He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes… He sends out his word, and melts them' (Ps 147:16-18). 'Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat… shall not cease' (Gen 8:22). 'Their food in due season' (Ps 104:27).

Scripture: Ps 147:16-18, Gen 8:22, Ps 104:27
Imagery & language: Cold and frost; wind; fruit and grain in season.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: seasonal provision.
Connection to previous: Who warms?

providence Fourth Petition

6 Who is it life and health bestows?…

Who gives life and health? Who keeps us in his hand in golden peace and keeps the sufferings of war away from our dear homeland?

'He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat' (Ps 147:14). SC Fourth Petition names 'peace' and 'good government' as daily bread.

Scripture: Ps 147:14, Ps 46:9
Imagery & language: Life and health; golden peace; war warded off.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: peace as gift.
Connection to previous: Who gives peace?

peace Fourth Petition nation

7 O Lord, of this and all our store…

Lord, you are the blessed Author of this and of everything we have. You keep watch at our door while we rest safely.

'He who keeps you will not slumber… The LORD is your keeper' (Ps 121:3-5). SC Creed I: 'all this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness.'

Scripture: Ps 121:3-5, Jas 1:17
Imagery & language: Author of all; watch at the door; secure rest.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: the Father as Author and Keeper.
Connection to previous: Thou art the Author.

providence protection

8 Thou feedest us from year to year…

You feed us year after year and remain faithful. When we are afraid, you stand beside us with ready help.

'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble' (Ps 46:1). 'The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food' (Ps 145:15).

Scripture: Ps 46:1, Ps 145:15, Isa 41:10
Imagery & language: Feeding; constancy; help in fear.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: present help.
Connection to previous: Help in fear.

providence trust

9 Our deepest need dost Thou supply…

You supply our deepest need and everything that lasts forever. When we leave this life, you lead us to our home above.

'Seek first the kingdom of God… and all these things will be added' (Matt 6:33). 'In my Father's house are many rooms' (John 14:2). 'A building from God… eternal in the heavens' (2 Cor 5:1).

Scripture: Matt 6:33, John 14:2-3, 2 Cor 5:1
Imagery & language: Deepest need; lasting things; home on high.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: eternal provision.
Connection to previous: Home on high.

eternal life heaven salvation

Themes

Praise and thanksgiving Devotion and worship Trust in God Joy in faith

Look Further

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