"Blessed Jesus at Thy Word"

We sang this hymn preceeding today's Gospel reading (Luke 6:17-26). The words were written in 1663 by German pastor Tobias Clausnitzer (1619-1684). The music was written by German church organist Johann Rudolf Ahle (1625-1673) in 1664.

Clausnitzer preached in Leipzig's famous St. Thomas Church (pictured at left) early in his pastorate. Originally built as part of a 12th-century monastery, Thomaskirche is now a Lutheran church. Martin Luther preached here in 1539 (more than 100 years before Clausnitzer), formally bringing the Reformation to Leipzig. Later, Johann Sebastian Bach was the choirmaster here for 27 years, beginning in 1723 and continuing until his death in 1750. Most of Bach's cantatas were written for the church's famous boys' choir, founded in the 13th century. Twelve of Bach's children were baptized at Thomaskirche, as was composer Richard Wagner in 1813. Both Mozart and Mendelssohn performed here, as well.

Click on the hymn title below to hear the melody.

"Blessed Jesus at Thy Word"

Blessèd Jesus, at Thy Word
We are gathered all to hear Thee;
Let our hearts and souls be stirred
Now to seek and love and fear Thee,
By Thy teachings sweet and holy,
Drawn from earth to love Thee solely.

All our knowledge, sense and sight
Lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
Til Thy Spirit breaks our night
With the beams of truth unclouded.
Thou alone to God canst win us;
Thou must work all good within us.

Glorious Lord, Thyself impart!
Light of light, from God proceeding,
Open Thou our ears and heart;
Help us by Thy Spirit’s pleading;
Hear the cry Thy people raises;
Hear and bless our prayers and praises.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praise to Thee and adoration!
Grant that we Thy Word may trust
And obtain true consolation
While we here below must wander.