O Lord Our Father Thanks to Thee

O Lord our Father thanks to Thee

O Lord Our Father Thanks to Thee is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 404, tlh 124.

The hymn expresses Lutheran emphasis on gratitude as a proper Christian response to God's unmerited grace and daily mercies. It reflects the Reformation principle of sola gratia by directing all thanks and praise to God the Father alone.

History & Background

Written by Martin Behm in early 17th century Germany as a hymn of thanksgiving for God's mercies. Translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in 1858 and published in her hymnal collection.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 404
The Lutheran Hymnal — 124

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Written by Martin Behm in 1602, this hymn captures the Lutheran Reformation's conviction that gratitude for God's unmerited grace is the heart of Christian discipleship and response to the Gospel.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies sola gratia—the Reformation conviction that grace alone moves us to praise—and invites the congregation to respond to Gospel proclamation not with anxiety or self-effort, but with joyful, liberating thanksgiving.

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

A Trinitarian New Year thanksgiving by Cyriacus Schneegass, Lutheran pastor at Friedrichroda. Each of the first three stanzas thanks one Person in the shape of the Creed's three articles: the Father for protection, daily bread and peace (st. 1); Christ for his reign and his blood, 'in life and death our Savior' (st. 2); the Holy Spirit for showing the truth and kindling faith, love and virtues (st. 3). St. 4 asks the triune God to blot out sin and grant a good year and a blessed death.

Central theme: New Year thanks to Father, Son and Holy Spirit along the lines of the three articles of the Creed

Structure

Four seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7), the first three each opening '… thanks to Thee / In this new year we render.' Father (1) — Son (2) — Spirit (3) — petition (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout; st. 4: 'Blot out all our iniquity' — forgiveness sought for the year.

Confessional Connections

Ps 107:1 (TLH's text): 'Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.' The structure mirrors SC Creed: the Father who 'defends me against all danger… gives me… daily bread'; the Son who 'redeemed me… with his holy, precious blood'; the Spirit who 'called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts.' St. 3: faith is the Spirit's enkindling (AC V; FC II), and love and virtues follow (AC VI). 'Peace reigned in our borders' — civil peace as God's gift (SC Fourth Petition).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

New Year's Day; Trinity; thanksgiving.

Historical Notes

Schneegass (1546-1597) published it in 1597 among his hymns for the church year. August Crull (1845-1923) translated it for the Missouri Synod.

About the Tune

NUN FREUT EUCH (Etlich christlich Lieder, Wittenberg, 1524).

Scripture References

Ps 107:1 Ps 121:7 Ps 147:14 Matt 6:11 1 Pet 1:18-19 Col 1:13 Rom 14:8 John 16:13 Gal 5:22 1 Cor 12:3 Ps 51:9 Isa 43:25 Luke 2:29

Stanza by Stanza

1 O Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee…

Lord our Father, we thank you in this new year, because every evil had to flee before you, our Defender. Our life was sustained with plenty of daily bread, and peace reigned in our land.

SC First Article: God 'richly and daily provides… defends me against all danger.' 'He makes peace in your borders' (Ps 147:14). Daily bread (Matt 6:11; SC Fourth Petition includes 'peace').

Scripture: Ps 107:1, Ps 121:7, Ps 147:14, Matt 6:11
Imagery & language: Evil fled; daily bread; peace in borders.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the Father's care.
Connection to previous: The Father.

First Article providence New Year

2 Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee…

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you in this new year; your reign has kept your people free and shown your tender mercy. You redeemed us with your blood; you are our joy, our only good, our Savior in life and death.

SC Second Article: 'redeemed me… with his holy, precious blood… that I may… live under him in his kingdom.' 'Ransomed… with the precious blood of Christ' (1 Pet 1:18-19). 'Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's' (Rom 14:8).

Scripture: 1 Pet 1:18-19, Col 1:13, Rom 14:8
Imagery & language: Reign; blood; only Good.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — redemption.
Connection to previous: The Son.

Second Article atonement kingdom of Christ

3 Lord Holy Ghost, our thanks to Thee…

Lord Holy Spirit, we thank you in this new year, because you opened our eyes to see your truth in its splendor, and so kindled from above true faith, love and other Christian virtues in our hearts.

SC Third Article: 'called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts.' 'He will guide you into all the truth' (John 16:13). Faith is the Spirit's work (1 Cor 12:3); love and virtues are his fruit (Gal 5:22).

Scripture: John 16:13, 1 Cor 12:3, Gal 5:22
Imagery & language: Eyes opened; faith kindled.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the Spirit's work.
Connection to previous: The Spirit.

Third Article faith sanctification

4 Our faithful God, we cry to Thee:…

Faithful God, we cry to you: keep blessing us with your favor, blot out all our sin and hide our sins forever. Give us a happy new year and, when death draws near, a peaceful, blessed departure.

'Blot out all my iniquities' (Ps 51:9). 'I am he who blots out your transgressions' (Isa 43:25). 'Now you are letting your servant depart in peace' (Luke 2:29).

Scripture: Ps 51:9, Isa 43:25, Luke 2:29
Imagery & language: Sins blotted out; blessed departure.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — forgiveness and a good death.
Connection to previous: Petition.

forgiveness death New Year

Themes

Gratitude to God Divine providence Praise and thanksgiving God's mercy Christian devotion

Look Further

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