O Lord, We Praise You
O Lord, we praise you, bless you, and adore you
This hymn affirms Lutheran sacramental theology, presenting the Eucharist as a means of grace wherein Christ's body and blood are truly present. The text balances adoration with confidence in Christ's redemptive work and calls communicants to faith and thanksgiving.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German chorale in 1610, likely for Eucharistic devotion in the Lutheran tradition. The text was translated into English in the 20th century and incorporated into major Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 499
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 215
- Lutheran Service Book — 617
- Lutheran Worship — 238
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 313
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1610) composed this hymn to teach sacramental faith during the Reformation. It remains a cornerstone of Lutheran eucharistic theology, balancing adoration with the assurance that Christ himself feeds us with grace at his table.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran dialectic of Law and Gospel: it names our unworthiness before God's majesty while proclaiming the certainty of Christ's redemptive presence in bread and wine, moving hearers from confession to eucharistic confidence.
Themes
Sacramental presence Eucharistic adoration thanksgiving grace Christ's sacrifice