O Thou from Whom All Goodness Flows
O Thou from whom all goodness flows
O Thou from Whom All Goodness Flows is a hymn text by Christopher Idle (1982) in L.M. meter. Found in tlh 515. Sung to ST. FLAVIAN.
The hymn articulates the Lutheran understanding of God as the source of all blessing and human dependence upon divine providence. It emphasizes gratitude as the Christian response to God's unmerited goodness, reflecting Lutheran piety's focus on grace and thanksgiving.
History & Background
Written by Christopher Idle in 1982, this hymn draws directly from Nehemiah 13:31, reflecting on God's provision and the believer's gratitude. It appears in TLH 515 and is used in Lutheran hymnody for thanksgiving and general worship themes.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 515
Bulletin Note
Written by Christopher Idle in 1982, this hymn recovers the classical Long Meter form (ST. FLAVIAN) to express the Reformed and Lutheran conviction that God alone is the source and sustainer of all blessing.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Gospel's proclamation of grace by moving listeners from awareness of their need into active gratitude and sacrificial living—showing how the Good News of unmerited favor produces the fruit of sanctified generosity.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.
Background Research
TLH 515. Thomas Haweis (1734–1820) wrote both text and tune, first printed in Carmina Christo, Part 1 (London, c. 1791) in five stanzas. The book was dedicated to the Countess of Huntingdon, whose chaplain he had been and who had died in June 1791. The words-only 1792 Carmina Christo has six stanzas, which became the standard text. A 1791 Bristol memoir says William Browne chose it for his own funeral. James Montgomery, editing Cotterill's Selection (1819), made every stanza end with the same line ("Remember me", from memory) and added a seventh stanza that carries it beyond death into heaven. Henry Martyn quoted it in his journals from India and Persia. Haweis's tune, trimmed by Samuel Webbe Jr. (1808), is RICHMOND, alias CHESTERFIELD (Hymnology Archive). From memory: Haweis co-founded the London Missionary Society (1795).
Overview
Thomas Haweis's hymn on Nehemiah's prayer 'Remember me, O my God, for good' (Neh 13:31), each stanza ending 'Dear Lord, remember me.' In sorrows and conflicts (st. 1); when sins lie heavy — speak pardon (st. 2); in trials — 'let my strength be as my day' (st. 3); in pain and disease (st. 4); at death (st. 5); and before the throne (st. 6). The refrain also echoes the thief's prayer: 'Jesus, remember me' (Luke 23:42).
Central theme: The prayer 'Remember me' carried through sin, trial, sickness, death and judgment
Structure
Six common-meter quatrains with refrain 'Dear Lord, remember me.' Sorrows (1) — sins (2) — trials (3) — sickness (4) — death (5) — judgment (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'My sins lie heavily'; trials; disease; death; judgment (2-6). Gospel: 'Thy pardon speak, new peace impart'; 'with the saints at Thy right hand' (2, 6).
Confessional Connections
Neh 13:31 (TLH's text): 'Remember me, O my God, for good.' The refrain is also the thief's prayer: 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom' (Luke 23:42) — answered by 'Today you will be with me in paradise.' St. 2: 'Thy pardon speak' — forgiveness is spoken, through the Word and absolution (AC XI-XII). St. 3: 'As your days, so shall your strength be' (Deut 33:25). St. 6: at the judgment, the believer is 'remembered' not by works but by grace (Ps 25:7: 'according to your steadfast love remember me').
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Sickness; funerals; Lent; personal devotion.
Historical Notes
Haweis (1732-1820), Anglican evangelical and a founder of the London Missionary Society; published c. 1791 in Carmina Christo.
About the Tune
ST. BERNARD (Tochter Sion, Cologne, 1741).
Scripture References
Neh 13:31 Luke 23:42 Jas 1:17 Ps 25:7 Ps 38:4 Deut 33:25 2 Cor 12:9 Ps 41:3 Ps 31:5 Matt 25:33-34 Ps 106:4
Stanza by Stanza
You from whom all goodness flows, I lift my heart to you; in all my sorrows, struggles and woes, dear Lord, remember me.
'Every good gift… is from above' (Jas 1:17). Refrain: 'Dear Lord, remember me' (Neh 13:31; Luke 23:42).
- Scripture
- Jas 1:17, Neh 13:31, Luke 23:42
- Imagery & language
- All goodness; heart lifted; sorrows; remember me.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the source of good.
- Connection to previous
- Remember me.
When my sins lie heavily on my poor, burdened heart, speak your pardon and give new peace; dear Lord, remember me.
'My iniquities… like a heavy burden' (Ps 38:4). 'Remember not the sins of my youth… according to your steadfast love remember me' (Ps 25:7). Absolution as spoken pardon (AC XII).
- Scripture
- Ps 38:4, Ps 25:7
- Imagery & language
- Burdened heart; sins heavy; pardon spoken; peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin's weight; Gospel — pardon.
- Connection to previous
- Pardon speak.
When painful trials block my way and evils I cannot escape, let my strength be equal to my day; dear Lord, remember me.
'As your days, so shall your strength be' (Deut 33:25). 'My grace is sufficient for you' (2 Cor 12:9).
- Scripture
- Deut 33:25, 2 Cor 12:9
- Imagery & language
- Trials; ills; strength as my day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — daily strength.
- Connection to previous
- Strength as my day.
If this weak body is worn out by pain, disease or grief, grant patience, rest and kind relief; dear Lord, remember me.
'The LORD sustains him on his sickbed' (Ps 41:3).
- Scripture
- Ps 41:3, Jas 5:14-15
- Imagery & language
- Pain, disease, grief; patience, rest, relief.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — comfort in sickness.
- Connection to previous
- Sickness.
When in the solemn hour of death I wait for your just decree, let this be the prayer of my last breath: dear Lord, remember me.
'Into your hand I commit my spirit' (Ps 31:5). The thief's dying prayer (Luke 23:42-43).
- Scripture
- Ps 31:5, Luke 23:42-43
- Imagery & language
- Hour of death; just decree; last breath.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the dying prayer heard.
- Connection to previous
- At death.
And when I stand before your throne and lift my soul to you, then, with the saints at your right hand, dear Lord, remember me.
'He will place the sheep on his right… Come, you who are blessed' (Matt 25:33-34). 'Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people' (Ps 106:4).
- Scripture
- Matt 25:33-34, Ps 106:4
- Imagery & language
- Before the throne; saints at right hand.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — remembered in judgment.
- Connection to previous
- Before the throne.
Themes
God's providence and goodness Gratitude and thanksgiving Divine blessing Christian response to grace