Speak O Lord Thy Servant Heareth
Speak, O Lord, Thy servant heareth
Speak O Lord Thy Servant Heareth is a hymn text by Karl Mauritz Bellman (1790) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by unknown English translator. Found in CW21 631, CW93 283, ELH 230, lsb 589. Sung to FRANCONIA.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran emphasis on God's Word as the means of grace and the believer's responsive faith to divine address. It reflects the doctrine that God communicates redemptively through Scripture and calls forth obedient faith in those who truly hear.
History & Background
This Swedish hymn was written by C. M. Bellman in the late 18th century and reflects Pietist themes of personal devotion and responsive obedience to God's call. It has been widely translated and adapted for use in Lutheran hymnals, particularly in German and English-speaking traditions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 631
- Christian Worship — 283
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 230
- Lutheran Service Book — 589
- Lutheran Worship — 339
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 296
Translation
Bulletin Note
Penned by Swedish poet Karl Mauritz Bellman in 1790, this hymn celebrates the living Word of God as means of grace, anchoring Lutheran piety in attentive listening and responsive faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran conviction that God's redemptive Word calls forth faith: the Law demands our obedience, and the Gospel assures us that God Himself speaks to us with grace and presence.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: repentance and removal of spiritual obstacles (stanzas 1-2) leading to joyful preparation and divine transformation (stanzas 3-4)
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Trinity 21 (2×)
- Sexagesima (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Epiphany 2 (3×)
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
A hymn on hearing God's Word by Anna Sophia, Landgravine of Hesse-Darmstadt, later abbess of the Lutheran foundation at Quedlinburg. It takes young Samuel's words, 'Speak, for your servant hears' (1 Sam 3:10), as its theme. The singer listens to the Word that gives life (st. 1); rejoices to hear it, noting it terrifies hardened sinners but comforts the penitent (st. 2); calls it living water, bread, light, sword and cup of joy (st. 3); and prays that it take root and bear fruit until he sees Christ (st. 4). It is ideal before the sermon.
Central theme: Eager hearing of God's Word, which gives life, terrifies and comforts, and nourishes until we see Christ
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8). Listening (1) — Law and Gospel effects (2) — images of the Word (3) — prayer for fruitfulness (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
St. 2 states the double effect explicitly: the Word terrifies hardened sinners (Law) and comforts the grieving penitent (Gospel).
Confessional Connections
The Word is Spirit and life (John 6:63), the means of the Spirit (AC V; SA III.viii). Law and Gospel distinguished by their effects (FC V; Ap XII). Hearing the Word is the Third Commandment rightly kept (SC).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Before the sermon; Epiphany 2 (Samuel); confirmation; Bible studies.
Historical Notes
Anna Sophia (1638-1683) published it in 1658. Rygh (1860-1942) was a Norwegian-American pastor and translator.
About the Tune
WERDE MUNTER (Johann Schop, 1642).
Scripture References
1 Sam 3:9-10 John 6:63, 68 John 17:17 Rom 7:24 Luke 10:39 Ps 119:9-11 Jer 23:29 Isa 61:1-3 John 4:14 Matt 4:4 Ps 119:105 Ps 23:4 Eph 6:17 Ps 23:5 Luke 8:15 1 John 3:2
Stanza by Stanza
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; I now pay attention to your Word; your Word brings life and spirit, and all of it is true. Death's power is strong in me; Jesus, may your Word of life fill my soul with love's fervor so that I cling to you forever.
Samuel's words (1 Sam 3:10). The Word 'beareth life and spirit' — John 6:63, 'the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.' 'All Thy Word is true' (John 17:17). The confession 'Death's dread power in me is rife' is the Law's diagnosis (Rom 7:24); the remedy is the 'Word of Life' (Phil 2:16; 1 John 1:1). The goal: to cling to Christ forever (John 6:68).
- Scripture
- 1 Sam 3:10, John 6:63, 68, John 17:17, Rom 7:24, 1 John 1:1
- Imagery & language
- Listening servant; life in the Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — death in me; Gospel — the Word of life.
- Connection to previous
- Opening.
What blessing to be near you and listen to your voice! May I always love and fear you so that your Word is my choice. Hardened sinners have often been struck with terror by your Word, but to the one who grieves for sin it gives sweet comfort and hope.
Mary sitting at Jesus' feet chose 'the good portion' (Luke 10:39-42). 'Love and fear' — the Catechism's formula. Then a precise statement of Law and Gospel: the Word 'terrifies' hardened sinners (Jer 23:29, 'like a hammer that breaks the rock') and comforts those who grieve over sin (Isa 61:1-3; Matt 5:4). The same Word does both; the difference lies in whom it addresses and what it says (FC V).
- Scripture
- Luke 10:39-42, Ps 119:9-11, Jer 23:29, Isa 61:1-3, Matt 5:4, Isa 66:2
- Imagery & language
- Nearness; hammer and comfort.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — terror for the hardened; Gospel — comfort for the contrite.
- Connection to previous
- The Word's double effect.
Lord, your words are living water where I quench my thirst; your words are life-giving bread on which my soul feeds; your words will be my light through death's valley and dark night; they are my winning sword and my never-failing cup of joy.
Five images: living water (John 4:14), bread (Matt 4:4; Deut 8:3), light (Ps 119:105), sword (Eph 6:17), cup of joy (Ps 23:5). The Word sustains the whole of life — thirst, hunger, darkness, battle, joy — and carries the believer 'through death's vale' (Ps 23:4).
- Scripture
- John 4:14, Matt 4:4, Deut 8:3, Ps 119:105, Ps 23:4-5, Eph 6:17
- Imagery & language
- Water, bread, light, sword, cup.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word nourishes and protects.
- Connection to previous
- Images of the Word.
Precious Jesus, I ask that your words take root in me; may this gift from heaven enrich me so that I bear fruit for you. Never take them from my heart until I see you as you are, when in heavenly bliss I will greet and adore you.
The parable of the sower: the Word must 'take root' (Luke 8:15) to bear fruit. The Word is a 'gift from heaven.' 'Take them never from my heart' — the fear of the seed snatched away (Luke 8:12). 'Till I see Thee as Thou art' — 1 John 3:2; faith gives way to sight.
- Scripture
- Luke 8:11-15, Jas 1:21, John 15:5, 1 John 3:2, 1 Cor 13:12
- Imagery & language
- Rooting; fruit; seeing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer for fruitful hearing.
- Connection to previous
- Concludes.
Themes
Obedience to God's word Listening and faith God's call Divine communication Samuel's vocation