Twas on That Dark That Doleful Night
'Twas on that dark, that doleful night
Twas on That Dark That Doleful Night is a hymn text by Thomas Ken (1695) in L.M. meter. Found in lbw 127, lw 235, tlh 164. Sung to DEUS TUORUM MILITUM.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of the Sacrament as a memorial of Christ's redemptive work and a means of grace. The text emphasizes the historical reality of Christ's institution and the church's thanksgiving response to sacrificial love.
History & Background
Written by Thomas Ken in 1695 as part of his Evening Hymn sequence for sacramental devotion. The hymn first appeared in Ken's manual for Winchester scholars and became widely adopted in Anglican and Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 127
- Lutheran Worship — 235
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 164
Bulletin Note
Written by Thomas Ken in 1695, this hymn reflects the Anglican recovery of sacramental theology in the Reformation tradition. Its language of memorial and means of grace echoes Luther's own understanding of Christ's real presence in the Supper.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's answer to our deepest need: in the very hour of betrayal and death, Christ establishes the Sacrament as an eternal covenant of grace that sustains us through every dark night we face.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's forty-day fast as pattern for believer's Lenten struggle against sin, culminating in Easter resurrection hope
Overview
Isaac Watts's narrative hymn on the institution of the Lord's Supper, placed in TLH among the Lenten hymns for Maundy Thursday. On the night of betrayal, as earth and hell rose against him (st. 1), Jesus took bread and spoke words of grace (st. 2): 'This is My body… the new covenant in My blood' (st. 3); 'Do this… in memory' (st. 4). The church celebrates his feast, proclaiming his death until the marriage supper of the Lamb (st. 5). Watts was a Congregationalist; Lutherans sing his narrative with their own confession of the words.
Central theme: The night of betrayal as the night Christ gave his Supper: his Body and Blood, proclaimed until the marriage feast
Structure
Five long-meter quatrains. The night (1) — taking bread (2) — the Words of Institution (3) — 'Do this' (4) — until he comes (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: betrayal; powers of earth and hell (1). Gospel: 'wondrous words of grace'; body given 'for sin'; the new covenant (2-3).
Confessional Connections
1 Cor 11:23ff (TLH's text). St. 3 quotes the Words of Institution. Lutherans confess them in their plain sense: the bread is Christ's true body and the wine his true blood, given 'for the forgiveness of sins' (AC X; SC Sacrament; FC VII). 'Living food' (John 6:51). St. 4, 'in memory… record the love' — remembrance in the biblical sense is proclamation and reception of the gift, not mere mental recall (1 Cor 11:26; Ap XXIV.72: remembrance means believing the benefits). St. 4's 'departed Lord' must be read with Christ's promised presence (Matt 28:20; FC VII.94ff); Watts's own Reformed view of a spiritual presence differs from the Lutheran confession. 'The new covenant in My blood' — forgiveness promised (Jer 31:34).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Maundy Thursday; Lord's Supper; Lent.
Historical Notes
From Watts's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1709), Book III (for the Lord's Supper), headed 'The Lord's Supper instituted.'
About the Tune
ST. CROSS (John B. Dykes, 1861).
Scripture References
1 Cor 11:23-26 Matt 26:26-29 Mark 14:22-25 Luke 22:19-20 Luke 22:53 Ps 2:1-2 Jer 31:31-34 John 6:51 Rev 19:9
Stanza by Stanza
It was on that dark, sorrowful night when the powers of earth and hell rose against God's beloved Son, and friends betrayed him to his enemies.
'On the night when he was betrayed' (1 Cor 11:23). 'This is your hour, and the power of darkness' (Luke 22:53). 'The kings of the earth set themselves… against the LORD and against his Anointed' (Ps 2:2; Acts 4:26). 'Beloved Son' (Matt 3:17).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 11:23, Luke 22:53, Ps 2:1-2, Matt 26:47-50
- Imagery & language
- Dark night; earth and hell; betrayal.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the night of betrayal.
- Connection to previous
- The night.
Before the sad events began, he took bread, blessed and broke it. What love ran through all his actions! What wonderful words of grace he spoke!
'Took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it' (1 Cor 11:23-24). 'Having loved his own… he loved them to the end' (John 13:1).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 11:23-24, John 13:1, Luke 4:22
- Imagery & language
- Bread blessed and broken; words of grace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love in action.
- Connection to previous
- Taking bread.
'This is my body, broken for sin; receive and eat the living food.' Then he took the cup and blessed the wine: 'This is the new covenant in my blood.'
The Words of Institution (Matt 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:24-25). 'Is' — Luther: 'Here stand the words' (Marburg 1529; FC VII.45). 'The living bread' (John 6:51). The new covenant of forgiveness (Jer 31:31-34).
- Scripture
- Matt 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Cor 11:24-25, John 6:51, Jer 31:31-34
- Imagery & language
- Body; living food; cup; covenant.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Sacrament given.
- Connection to previous
- Words of Institution.
'Do this,' he said, 'until the end of time, in memory of your dying Friend. Meet at my table and record the love of your departed Lord.'
'Do this in remembrance of me' (1 Cor 11:24-25). Remembrance = proclaiming and receiving his benefits (Ap XXIV.72; AC XXIV.30-31). 'Departed' refers to his death; yet he is present at his table (Matt 28:20; FC VII).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 11:24-26, Matt 28:20
- Imagery & language
- Command; memory; table.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Supper continued.
- Connection to previous
- Do this.
Jesus, we celebrate your feast; we proclaim your death and sing your name until you return and we eat the marriage supper of the Lamb.
'As often as you eat this bread… you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes' (1 Cor 11:26). 'I will not drink again… until that day when I drink it new… in my Father's kingdom' (Matt 26:29). 'Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb' (Rev 19:9).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 11:26, Matt 26:29, Rev 19:9
- Imagery & language
- Feast; proclamation; marriage supper.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — foretaste of the feast.
- Connection to previous
- Until He comes.
Themes
Eucharist Passion of Christ Memorial of Christ's death Incarnation