Wide Open Are Thy Hands
Wide open are thy hands
The hymn articulates a Lutheran understanding of God's providential care and the consequent ethical demand on believers to share generously with others. It connects divine grace with human response, reflecting the Lutheran emphasis on grateful living as the fruit of salvation.
History & Background
Written by American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier in 1872, this hymn expresses gratitude for God's sustaining care and emphasizes Christian responsibility toward others. It was first published in Whittier's collection and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 20th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 713
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 489
- Lutheran Worship — 389
- With One Voice — 706
Bulletin Note
Written by Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier in 1872, this hymn unites contemplation of God's providential care with the imperative to generous stewardship—a hallmark of Protestant gratitude.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Gospel of divine abundance into an ethical imperative: those who receive grace must become givers, embodying God's open-handed love in concrete acts of mercy toward the poor.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human inability to praise adequately (stanzas 1-2) → Christ's redemptive power transforming sinners (stanzas 3-5) → Trinitarian doxology (stanza 6)
Themes
God's generosity and providence Human stewardship Divine abundance Trust in God's care