On What has Now Been Sown
On what has now been sown
On What has Now Been Sown is a hymn text by Nicolai Friedrich Severin Grundtvig (1837) in 7.6.7.6.D meter. Translated by Gracia Grindal. Found in elw 550, lbw 261, lsb 921, lw 217. Sung to EBENEZER.
The hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in God's hidden but efficacious work through His Word, celebrating how the Gospel grows in hearts through means beyond human effort or understanding. It expresses the Lutheran principle that God's kingdom advances through faith and divine agency rather than human achievement.
History & Background
Grundtvig composed this hymn in Danish in 1837 as part of his extensive hymnodic output during Denmark's Golden Age. The English translation by Gracia Grindal, first published in 1978, brought this meditation on spiritual growth into Lutheran worship in America.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 550
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 261
- Lutheran Service Book — 921
- Lutheran Worship — 217
- Trinity Hymnal — 598
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 46
Translation
Bulletin Note
Grundtvig's 1837 hymn celebrates the efficacy of God's Word sown in faith. Born from Danish revival tradition, it expresses Lutheran confidence that divine agency, not human achievement, grows the kingdom.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's liberating proclamation that believers are freed from the burden of producing spiritual results, allowing the sermon to emphasize justification by faith alone and God's sole agency in salvation and sanctification.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from separation and judgment to gracious invitation, communion, and eschatological hope
Overview
A closing hymn from the Olney Hymns. It asks God to bless the seed of the Word just sown, for the growth is his alone (st. 1); confesses that all our powers are his and asks him to accept what is his and pardon what is ours (st. 2); and prays that all present may meet again at Christ's return (st. 3). Its theology is admirably Lutheran: the Word's effect depends on God, and even our worship needs forgiveness.
Central theme: Dependence on God to make the preached Word grow, with prayer for forgiveness and final reunion
Structure
Blessing on the seed (1); acceptance and pardon (2); meeting again at Christ's coming (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel; 'pardon what is ours' confesses the sin in even our best worship.
Confessional Connections
AC V: the Spirit works faith 'where and when it pleases God' through the Word. Simul iustus et peccator — even our good works need pardon (Apology IV).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Closing hymn after the sermon or service.
Historical Notes
Newton (1725-1807), from 'Olney Hymns' (1779).
About the Tune
DARWALL'S 148TH (John Darwall, 1770).
Scripture References
1 Cor 3:6-7 Mark 4:26-29 1 Chron 29:14 Isa 64:6 1 Thess 4:17 Rev 22:20
Stanza by Stanza
Lord, bless what has just been sown; only you have power to make it sprout and grow; raise the harvest in grace, and you alone will have the praise.
The sermon is seed (Mark 4:14). 'The power is Thine alone / To make it spring and grow' — 1 Cor 3:6-7 ('I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth'). 'Thou alone shalt have the praise' — soli Deo gloria; the preacher gets no credit for conversions (Mark 4:26-29, the seed growing secretly).
- Scripture
- Mark 4:14, 1 Cor 3:6-7, Mark 4:26-29, Isa 55:10-11
- Imagery & language
- Seed; springing; harvest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God gives the growth.
- Connection to previous
- Blessing on the seed.
You know our needs; all our abilities come from you; accept what is yours and pardon what is ours; receive our praise and prayers and bless your Word.
'Our wants are known' (Matt 6:8). 'From Thee are all our powers' (1 Cor 4:7; Jas 1:17). The memorable line: 'Accept what is Thine own / And pardon what is ours' — whatever good is in our worship is God's gift; whatever is ours is mixed with sin (Isa 64:6). Even our best works need forgiveness — the Lutheran simul. 'To Thy Word a blessing give' (Isa 55:11).
- Scripture
- Matt 6:8, 1 Cor 4:7, Jas 1:17, 1 Chron 29:14, Isa 64:6, Isa 55:11
- Imagery & language
- Wants; powers; what is Thine and ours.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (our sin) and Gospel (acceptance and pardon).
- Connection to previous
- Acceptance and pardon.
May each of us gathered here meet together again when you and your saints appear, and follow you home to heaven; even so, Amen, come, Lord Jesus.
Reunion at the second coming (1 Thess 4:17; Col 3:4). 'When Thou and Thine appear' (1 Thess 3:13; Jude 14). The hymn ends with the Bible's last prayer: 'Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!' (Rev 22:20).
- Scripture
- 1 Thess 4:17, Col 3:4, 1 Thess 3:13, Rev 22:20
- Imagery & language
- Meeting together; following to heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eschatological hope.
- Connection to previous
- Final reunion.
Themes
Divine providence Growth of God's kingdom Trust in God's faithfulness Word of God Sanctification