Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise is a hymn text by Christopher Wordsworth (1862) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in CW21 386, CW93 82, ELH 172, elw 394. Sung to SALZBURG.

The hymn celebrates the manifestation of Christ's glory to all people through the Epiphany, emphasizing themes of Christ's divinity and universal redemption. It reflects Lutheran appreciation for Christ's incarnation and the revelation of salvation through Word and Sacrament.

History & Background

Written by Christopher Wordsworth in 1862 for the Epiphany season, first published in his collection 'The Holy Year.' The hymn has become a standard Epiphany text in Lutheran and Anglican hymnals.

Christopher Wordsworth (b. Lambeth, London, England, 1807; d. Harewood, Yorkshire, England, 1885), nephew of the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, wrote this hymn in five stanzas. It was published in his Holy Year (1862) with the heading “Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.” Wordsworth described the text as follows: Scripture References st. 1 = Matt. 2:1-12 st. 2-John 2:1-11 John 3:13-17 st. 3 = Matt. 4:1-11,23-24 ref. = Mark 8:29 John 1:14 [It is a] recapitulation of the successive manifestations of Christ, which have already been presented in the services of the former weeks throughout the season of Epiphany; and anticipation of that future great and glorious Epiphany, at which Christ will be manifest to all, when he will appear again to judge the world. The didactic text teaches the meaning of Epiphany—the manifestation of Christ in his birth (st. 1), baptism, miracle at Cana (st. 2), healing of the sick, power over evil, and coming as judge (st. 3). Originally the refrain line was “Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.” The revised refrain borrows Peter’s confession, ‘You are the Christ! ” (Mark 8:29), and makes that our corporate confession as we acknowledge the ‘Word become flesh” who lived among us. Wordsworth was a prolific author and the most renowned Greek scholar of his day. Included in his works are Memoirs of William Wordsworth (1851), Commentary on the Whole Bible (1856-1870), Church History (1881-1883), innumerable sermons and pamphlets, and The Holy Year (1862), which contained 117 of his original hymns as well as 82 others written for all the Sundays and Christian holy days according to the Book of Common Prayer. Wordsworth was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, where he distinguished himself as a brilliant student. He later taught at Trinity College and was headmaster of Harrow School (1836-1844). Ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1835, he was canon of Westminster in 1844, a country priest in Stanford-inthe-Vale, Berkshire (1850-1869), and then Bishop of Lincoln (1869-1885).

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship: Hymnal — 386
• Christian Worship — 82
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 172
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 394
• Gather 4th Edition — 506
• The Hymnal 1982 — 135
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 90
• Lutheran Service Book — 394
• Lutheran Worship — 88
• Psalter Hymnal — 361
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 134

Liturgical Use

Throughout the Epiphany season.

Bulletin Note

Christopher Wordsworth (1807–1885), nephew of poet William Wordsworth, wrote this Epiphany hymn in 1862. Its sturdy meter and radiant theology have made it a Christmas-to-Candlemas staple in Lutheran and Reformed traditions worldwide.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Gospel announcement of Christ's manifestation into a sung proclamation of grateful response, making it a powerful amplification of any Epiphany sermon on how the revealed Christ calls disciples to faithful witness.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From personal awakening to joyful praise, through recognition of God's redemptive love despite human ruin and opposition, to confident assurance of justification at the final judgment

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Epiphany 6

Suggested in the one-year series

• Epiphany 2 (5×)
• Baptism of Our Lord (2×)
• Epiphany 1 (2×)
• Epiphany (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Epiphany 6 (3×)
• Epiphany (1×)
• Epiphany 2 (1×)
• Epiphany 4 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Overview

Christopher Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln and nephew of the poet, wrote this for his Holy Year (1862), a hymnal with a hymn for every Sunday and feast. It is the great survey of the Epiphany season. Each stanza is built on the word 'manifest': Christ shown to the Magi (st. 1), at the Jordan and at Cana (st. 2), in healing and in conquering the devil (st. 3); then his final manifestation at the last day (st. 4); and a prayer to see him now in his Word and be like him at his great Epiphany (st. 5). Every stanza ends 'God in man made manifest' — the incarnation is the content of every epiphany.

Central theme: The Epiphany season's revelations of Christ as 'God in man made manifest,' culminating in his return

Structure

Five stanzas, 7.7.7.7 D with a refrain line. Magi (1); Jordan and Cana (2); healings and exorcisms (3); second coming (4); prayer (5). It follows the Epiphany Gospels in order, ending with the Transfiguration/Last Sunday theme.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout; st. 4's judgment is a Gospel hope for believers, though solemn; st. 5's call to purity flows from grace.

Confessional Connections

'God in man made manifest' (1 Tim 3:16) — the personal union (FC VIII). Christ's threefold office as Prophet, Priest and King (st. 2). Seeing Christ 'mirrored in Thy holy Word' — Christ is known through the Word (AC V; SA III.viii). Sanctification as imitation that follows justification (st. 5; AC VI, XX).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Epiphany season, ideally on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany as a review of the season.

Historical Notes

Published in The Holy Year (1862). Wordsworth (1807-1885) was a noted Anglican scholar.

About the Tune

ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR (George J. Elvey, 1858), better known with 'Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.'

Scripture References

Matt 2:1-12 Isa 11:1 Matt 3:13-17 John 2:1-11 Matt 8:1-13 Mark 2:1-12 Matt 4:1-11 Luke 11:20-22 Gen 50:20 Rom 8:28 Matt 24:27-31 1 Thess 4:16 Phil 2:10-11 2 Cor 3:18 1 John 3:2-3 1 Tim 3:16

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Epiphany and manifestation of Christ Thanksgiving and praise Christ's glory revealed Christian witness and rejoicing

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "SALZBURG" ↗