Our Father Thou in Heaven Above

Our Father Thou in Heaven Above is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1539) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 410, ELH 383, elw 746, lsb 766. Sung to VATER UNSER.

This hymn embodies Luther's conviction that the Lord's Prayer is the Christian's primary intercessory text, accessible to all believers regardless of education. It reflects Lutheran theology emphasizing God's fatherhood, the kingdom of God, and reliance upon divine mercy.

History & Background

Luther composed this hymn as a poetic paraphrase and exposition of the Lord's Prayer, published in his 1539 hymnal. It systematically unfolds each petition of the prayer into devotional stanzas for congregational singing.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship — 410
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 383
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 746
• Lutheran Service Book — 766
• Lutheran Worship — 431
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 458
• Voices Together — 498

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Luther composed this hymn in 1539 to make the Lord's Prayer singable for all believers. It reflects his conviction that access to God's mercy belongs to every baptized Christian, not the educated few.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes Luther's theology of prayer: it moves from the law's call to reverence God's name and kingdom, to the gospel's assurance that our Father hears every petition for mercy, bread, and rescue from temptation.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Fourth Petition Small Catechism — The Lord's Prayer
• Of Justification Augsburg Confession

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from human dependence and sinfulness through petition for daily provision and forgiveness, to confident trust in God's fatherly care and doxological affirmation of the Trinity

Background Research

Luther's Lord's Prayer hymn, 'Vater unser im Himmelreich', written 1538 as a sung version of his Small Catechism explanation of the Lord's Prayer. Nine 6-line stanzas: introduction, one stanza per petition (7), and a closing Amen stanza, making it ideal for petition-by-petition stanza analysis against the Small Catechism. Surviving manuscripts show several revisions, including a page of the autograph with the only musical notes in Luther's own hand: he first chose a different melody, crossed it out, and settled on an older anonymous tune, possibly from a secular song. Probably first issued as a broadsheet; printed in Valentin Schumann's Geistliche Lieder (Leipzig, 1539). Tune VATER UNSER ('Old 112th' in English books). Bach: St John Passion (st 4), organ works BWV 636 (Orgelbüchlein), 682 (the trio in Clavier-Übung III), 683, 737, and cantatas. Mendelssohn's Organ Sonata No. 6 is a set of variations on it. Also set by Böhm, Buxtehude, Pachelbel, Praetorius and Scheidt. Winkworth translated it (1863).

Sources: Wikipedia 'Vater unser im Himmelreich'.

Overview

Luther's catechism hymn on the Lord's Prayer, the last of his catechism hymns, first printed in 1539. It is the Small Catechism's explanations set to music: an introduction (st. 1), seven stanzas for the seven petitions (st. 2-8), and the Amen (st. 9). Nearly every line can be traced to the Catechism — the hallowing of God's name by pure teaching and holy life (st. 2), the kingdom coming through the Spirit (st. 3), God breaking every evil will of devil, world and flesh (st. 4), the long list of 'daily bread' (st. 5), forgiving as we are forgiven (st. 6), standing firm in temptation (st. 7), a blessed end (st. 8), and the certainty of 'Amen' (st. 9).

Central theme: Praying the Lord's Prayer as the Small Catechism teaches it, with confidence as children to a dear Father

Structure

Nine six-line stanzas (8.8.8.8.8.8). Introduction (1) — seven petitions (2-8) — conclusion (9), exactly the structure of SC Part III.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: the Father who invites us; prayer for forgiveness, faith and a blessed end. Law: false doctrine, Satan's rage, flesh and blood, avarice, sins and trespasses — all named so they can be prayed against.

Confessional Connections

A versified SC Part III and LC III. Introduction: God 'tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children.' First Petition: 'when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity… whoever teaches and lives otherwise… profanes the name of God' — st. 2's 'Let no false doctrine us pervert.' Second: 'when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit.' Third: God 'breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.' Fourth: 'everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body… good government… peace.' Fifth: 'we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good.' Sixth: 'we may finally overcome and win the victory.' Seventh: 'a blessed end.' Conclusion: 'Amen, amen means Yes, yes, it shall be so.'

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Catechesis; Rogate (Easter 6); prayer services; any Sunday; household devotion; confirmation.

Historical Notes

First printed in Valentin Schumann's Geistliche Lieder (Leipzig, 1539). The tune, also 1539, may be Luther's adaptation of an earlier melody. Bach set it often (e.g., in the St. John Passion), and Mendelssohn built his Organ Sonata No. 6 on it.

About the Tune

VATER UNSER (Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539).

Scripture References

Matt 6:9-13 Luke 11:2-4 Rom 8:15 Eph 3:14-15 Matt 6:7 Ps 19:14 John 17:17 Gal 1:8-9 Luke 11:13 John 3:5 Col 1:13 Matt 16:18 Rom 12:2 Gal 5:17 Ps 145:15-16 1 Tim 2:2 1 Tim 6:6-10 Matt 18:21-35 Eph 4:32 1 Cor 10:13 Eph 6:10-17 2 Tim 3:1 2 Tim 4:18 Luke 2:29 2 Cor 1:20 John 16:23

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

The Lord's Prayer Divine providence Forgiveness Christian petition God's kingdom

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Our Father Thou in Heaven Above" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "VATER UNSER" ↗