O Lord, We Praise Thee

Today on this Maundy Thursday, we remember when Christ first instituted the Sacrament of the Altar as He said: "Take, eat. This is My body, which is given for you. Take, drink. This is My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

The hymn "O Lord, We Praise Thee" (LSB 617) was encouraged by Martin Luther to be sung each time the congregation would receive the Sacrament of the Altar. Luther revised the original first stanza, and he, himself, wrote the second and third stanzas of this hymn.

He added the second and third stanzas to remind everyone that we are to partake of the Sacrament in both kinds [The very Body (bread) and very Blood (wine) of Christ].

The hymn reflects Luther's trinitarian understanding of Holy Communion in its three-stanzas and in its content: the grace of God (the Father), whom we praise and thank and before whom we bow and adore; the communion in the body and blood of Christ (the Son); and the gift of the Spirit to live in accordance with God's will.

Stanza three reminds us of what participation in this Holy Supper means when God give us His "grace and favor" by living together "in love and union" with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, when we partake of Christ's very Body and Blood in, with, and under the bread and wine, we not only receive forgiveness of sins and strength for our faith, but we confess that we are in doctrinal agreement with what the altar and pulpit teaches -- God's inerrant Word. As sinners, we all need forgiveness, that is what we poor sinners receive at the Lord's Table of grace.

1 O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish:
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!

2 Thy holy body into death was given,
Life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
May this feast thereof remind us!
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
All our debt Thou hast paid;
Peace with God once more is made:
O Lord, have mercy!

3 May God bestow on us His grace and favor
That we follow Christ our Savior
And live together here in love and union
Nor despise this blest Communion!
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
Grant that heav’nly-minded He make us;
Give Thy Church, Lord, to see
Days of peace and unity:
O Lord, have mercy!

Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: CPH Limited Promotional License no. 119000000