Thou Who the Night in Prayer Didst Spend
Thou who the night in prayer didst spend
Thou Who the Night in Prayer Didst Spend is a hymn text by Nicolai Grundtvig (1837) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Carl Döving. Found in lw 289, tlh 493. Sung to NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT.
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran appreciation for Christ's intercessory prayer life as both model and comfort for believers, grounding Christian devotion in apostolic precedent. It reflects the Grundtvigian emphasis on living faith responsive to Christ's example rather than mere doctrinal assent.
History & Background
Written by Danish hymnodist Nicolai Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn reflects the Danish revival tradition emphasizing living faith and Christ-centered worship. It was translated into English by Carl Döving in 1909 and subsequently included in The Lutheran Hymnary (TLH 493).
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 289
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 493
Translation
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 79: God the Lord is sun and shield (1725)
Bulletin Note
Written by Nicolai Grundtvig in 1837, this Danish hymn embodies the Grundtvigian principle of living, apostolic faith: Christ's night of prayer becomes the model and assurance for believers' own intercession with the Father.
Preaching Connection
This hymn grounds Christian prayer in Christ's own example, transforming the Law's demand for perseverance into Gospel comfort—we pray not because we must earn God's ear, but because we follow One whose prayers already have changed everything.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Recognition of God's providential mercies (past and present) → Petition for God's continued presence and protection (future) → Doxological affirmation of Trinitarian praise (eternal)
Overview
Christopher Wordsworth's Ember-day hymn on Luke 6:12-13: Jesus prayed all night, then chose the Twelve. You who prayed and then sent your apostles, and bid us pray for sowers of your Word, bless your servants with sevenfold gifts (st. 1); may pastors be faithful, laboring for you, feeding the flock bought by your blood (st. 2); may the people be faithful too — honoring Christ in their pastors, working with them, praying for them (st. 3); and may pastor and people stand together before the throne (st. 4).
Central theme: Mutual faithfulness of pastors and people, both serving Christ who prayed for and sent his ministers
Structure
Four six-line long-meter stanzas (8.8.8.8.8.8). Christ's prayer and sending (1) — faithful pastors (2) — faithful people (3) — together at the throne (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'sheep and lambs bought by Thy blood'; together at the throne. Exhortation to mutual faithfulness (2-3).
Confessional Connections
Luke 6:12-13 (TLH's text). St. 2: pastors 'Not lab'ring for themselves' (1 Pet 5:2-3) and feeding the flock 'bought by Thy blood' (Acts 20:28). St. 3: 'in Thy pastors honor Thee' — the Fourth Commandment extends to spiritual fathers (LC IV.158-163); honoring pastors as Christ's servants who speak his Word (Luke 10:16), not as lords over the Church (Tr 10-11). 'Receive the prophet… and gain the prophet's own reward' (Matt 10:41).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Ordination; Ember days; installation; pastors' anniversaries.
Historical Notes
Wordsworth (1807-1885) wrote it for the Ember days in The Holy Year (1862).
About the Tune
ST. PETERSBURG (Dmitri S. Bortniansky, 1822, adapted).
Scripture References
Luke 6:12-13 Matt 9:38 Isa 11:2 1 Cor 4:2 Acts 20:28 1 Pet 5:2-3 1 Thess 5:12-13 Heb 13:17-18 Matt 10:40-41 Rev 7:9-12
Stanza by Stanza
You who spent the night in prayer and then sent your apostles, and who tell us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send out sowers of your Word: hear, and bless your chosen servants with the sevenfold gifts of holiness.
'He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve' (Luke 6:12-13). The sevenfold Spirit (Isa 11:2).
- Scripture
- Luke 6:12-13, Matt 9:38, Isa 11:2
- Imagery & language
- Night in prayer; apostles sent; sowers; sevenfold gifts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ sends.
- Connection to previous
- Night of prayer.
May your pastors be faithful, laboring not for themselves but for you! Give them grace to feed with wholesome food the sheep and lambs bought by your blood, to tend your flock and so prove how dearly they love the Shepherd.
'It is required of stewards that they be found faithful' (1 Cor 4:2). 'The church of God, which he obtained with his own blood' (Acts 20:28). 'Do you love me?… Feed my sheep' (John 21:17).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 4:2, Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 5:2-3, John 21:15-17
- Imagery & language
- Faithful pastors; wholesome food; bought by blood.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the blood-bought flock.
- Connection to previous
- Faithful pastors.
May your people be faithful and honor you in your pastors, work with them and pray for them, and gladly obey you in them; may they receive the prophet of the Lord and gain the prophet's own reward!
'Respect those who labor among you… esteem them very highly in love' (1 Thess 5:12-13). 'Obey your leaders… Pray for us' (Heb 13:17-18). 'The one who receives a prophet… will receive a prophet's reward' (Matt 10:41). LC IV.
- Scripture
- 1 Thess 5:12-13, Heb 13:17-18, Matt 10:40-41, Luke 10:16
- Imagery & language
- Faithful people; honor; pray; obey; prophet's reward.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mutual service.
- Connection to previous
- Faithful people.
So may we, when our work is done, stand together before your throne and raise joyful hearts and voices in one united song of praise, with all the bright heavenly host, to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The multitude before the throne (Rev 7:9-12).
- Scripture
- Rev 7:9-12, 1 Thess 2:19-20
- Imagery & language
- Work done; together at the throne; united song.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — pastor and people in glory.
- Connection to previous
- Together.
Themes
Prayer and intercession Christ's example of devotion Night vigil and discipline Fellowship with Christ