Send Thou O Lord to Every Place
Send Thou O Lord to every place
Send Thou O Lord to Every Place is a hymn text by Johann Zwick (1540) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 316, tlh 506. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn emphasizes the intercessory prayer for missionary workers and the conviction that Christ's Gospel will accomplish its purpose through divine power rather than human strength alone. It reflects Lutheran confidence in the efficacy of God's Word and the Holy Spirit's role in spreading the faith.
History & Background
Johann Zwick composed this hymn in German as 'Sende dein Wort, o Gott' in the mid-16th century during the Reformation. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1869 for her collection of German hymns, and it subsequently appeared in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 506.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 316
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 506
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Johann Zwick in 1540, this German Reformation hymn expresses confident intercession for Gospel workers, reflecting Luther's conviction that God's Word possesses inherent power to convert and strengthen the faithful.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens proclamation of the Gospel by shifting focus from human capability to divine promise—the Word accomplishes its end regardless of our weakness, freeing us from anxiety and into joyful partnership with the Holy Spirit's mission.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Overview
An American mission hymn by Mary Cornelia Gates, built on Luke 10:1, where Jesus sent the seventy 'into every town and place where he himself was about to come.' Every stanza ends with that phrase: 'where Thou Thyself wilt come.' It asks for swift heralds of grace (st. 1), sent by men who have seen the King and heard his words (st. 2), to bring good news to sinners and the broken-hearted (st. 3); asks the crucified Christ to claim his victory among the nations (st. 4); to arm his messengers with the Word, the Spirit's sword (st. 5); and to raise from 'this broad land' a host whose war cry is 'We will seek the lost' (st. 6).
Central theme: Messengers sent ahead of Christ into every place, armed with his Word, to seek the lost where he himself will come
Structure
Six four-line stanzas (8.8.8.6), each ending 'where Thou Thyself wilt come' (or a variant). Heralds (1) — witnesses (2) — good news (3) — Christ's victory (4) — the Word (5) — a host (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'good news to souls in sin'; 'the bruised and broken hearts to win'; Christ who died claims his victory (3-4).
Confessional Connections
Christ himself 'comes' where his Word is preached (AC V; Luke 10:16): the messengers prepare for his coming in Word and Sacrament. Witnesses 'whose eyes have seen the King' — the apostolic witness (1 John 1:1-3) on which the Church's preaching rests. 'The Spirit's Sword, the sword of Thine own deathless Word' (Eph 6:17) — the Church conquers only by the Word (AC XXVIII). 'Thou who hast died, Thy vict'ry claim' — mission flows from the cross. Rom 8:37 (TLH's text): 'more than conquerors through him who loved us.'
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Missions; commissioning; Epiphany season; ordination.
Historical Notes
Gates (1842-1905), an American hymn writer, published it in 1888 (TLH's byline gives c. 1850).
About the Tune
ISLEWORTH (Samuel Howard, d. 1782).
Scripture References
Luke 10:1-2 Rom 8:37 Mal 3:1 Isa 40:3 1 John 1:1-3 Acts 4:20 Luke 15:4-7 Luke 4:18 Isa 61:1 Phil 2:9-11 Ps 2:8 Eph 6:17 Heb 4:12 1 Pet 1:23-25 Luke 19:10
Stanza by Stanza
Lord, send swift messengers ahead of you to every place, heralds of your wonderful grace, where you yourself will come.
Luke 10:1. Messengers prepare his way (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3). They are 'heralds of… grace' — Gospel preachers. Refrain: 'where Thou Thyself wilt come' — Luke 10:1, the seventy sent ahead 'into every town and place where he himself was about to come.'
- Scripture
- Luke 10:1-2, Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3
- Imagery & language
- Swift messengers; heralds of grace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace announced.
- Connection to previous
- Heralds.
Send men whose eyes have seen the King, in whose ears his sweet words ring; send such people to bring your lost ones home; send them where you will come.
'That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you' (1 John 1:3). 'We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20). Witnesses who have themselves received the Word. The lost are 'Thy lost ones' — Christ's own (Luke 15:4-7).
- Scripture
- 1 John 1:1-3, Acts 4:20, Luke 15:4-7
- Imagery & language
- Seen the King; His words; lost ones.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — witnesses sent.
- Connection to previous
- Witnesses.
to bring good news to souls in sin and win bruised and broken hearts, to bring them in from every place where you yourself will come.
Isa 61:1; Luke 4:18: 'to proclaim good news to the poor… to set at liberty those who are oppressed.' 'A bruised reed he will not break' (Isa 42:3).
- Scripture
- Isa 61:1, Luke 4:18, Isa 42:3
- Imagery & language
- Good news; bruised hearts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — good news for sinners.
- Connection to previous
- Good news.
You who died, claim your victory; Christ, assert the name of your glory, and send men to distant lands of pagan shame, where you will come.
The crucified is the victor (Col 2:15); 'every knee should bow' (Phil 2:9-11). The nations as his inheritance (Ps 2:8). 'Pagan shame' reflects its era; the point is that all who lack the Gospel need it.
- Scripture
- Col 2:15, Phil 2:9-11, Ps 2:8, Rev 5:9
- Imagery & language
- Victory claimed; distant lands.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's victory through death.
- Connection to previous
- His victory.
Arm each one with the Spirit's sword, the sword of your own undying Word, and make them conquerors, conquering Lord, where you yourself will come.
'The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (Eph 6:17). The Word is 'living and active' (Heb 4:12), 'living and abiding' (1 Pet 1:23-25). Rom 8:37 (TLH's text): more than conquerors through him.
- Scripture
- Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12, 1 Pet 1:23-25, Rom 8:37
- Imagery & language
- Spirit's sword; deathless Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word's power.
- Connection to previous
- The sword.
Lord, Holy Spirit, raise up a mighty host from this broad land, whose battle cry is: 'We will seek the lost where you, Christ, will come.'
The Spirit calls and sends workers (Acts 13:2-4; Matt 9:38). 'The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost' (Luke 19:10) — the Church shares his seeking.
- Scripture
- Acts 13:2-4, Matt 9:38, Luke 19:10
- Imagery & language
- Mighty host; seeking the lost.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mission as Christ's own seeking.
- Connection to previous
- Seek the lost.
Themes
Mission and evangelism Prayer for laborers Gospel proclamation Divine power Holy Spirit empowerment