Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#264

264. Lord Jesus Christ, to thee we pray

1 Lord Jesus, Christ, to Thee we pray,
From us God's wrath Thou turn'st away,
Thine agony and bitter death
Redeem us from eternal wrath.

2 That we may never this forget
Thy body for our food is set;
And in the wine Thou giv'st Thy blood
To cleanse our souls, a sacred flood.

3 Let none, impenitent and bold,
This sacred feast profanely hold:
He who unworthy sitteth there
Shall sink to death and dark despair.

4 But praise the Father, by whose love
The Son descended from above,
Became the bread of life to thee,
And bore thy sins upon the tree.

5 Firmly on this thou must believe;
That here the sick their food receive,
Which heals them from the wounds of sin,
Creating heav'nly health within.

6 Such grace and mercy must be sought
By those whom sorrow long hath taught;
If anguish ne'er thy heart hath rent
Be not thy knee there vainly bent.

7 Our Saviour saith: Come unto Me,
Ye who now feel your poverty:
My mercy I will freely give,
Your anguished conscience I'll relieve.

8 Could'st thou unaided this obtain,
Then have I shed my blood in vain;
This feast was vainly spread for thee,
If thou require no food from me.

9 If in thy heart this faith doth rest,
Which thou hast here in words confessed,
A welcome guest thou here shalt be,
And Christ Himself shall banquet thee.

10 But fruits must still thy faith approve;
Thy neighbor thou must truly love;
That love let him from thee receive,
Which here to thee thy God doth give.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord Jesus Christ, to thee we pray
• Translator: William M. Reynolds (1849)
• Author: Dr. M. Luther (1524)
• Meter: L. M. No. 1
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: Holy Communion
• Notes: Alternate Tune: #246; From the German text: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der von

Tune Information

• Name: TALLIS' EVENING HYMN
• Composer: Thomas Tallis (1560)
• Meter: L. M. No. 1
• Key: G Major