Lutheran Book of Worship ‎#120

120. Of the Glorious Body Telling

1 Of the glorious body telling,
O my tongue, its myst'ries sing,
And the blood, all price excelling,
Which the world’s eternal King,
In a noble womb once dwelling,
Shed for this world’s ransoming.

2 Giv'n for us, for us descending,
Of a virgin to proceed,
With us all in converse blending,
Scattered he the Gospel seed,
Till his sojourn drew to ending
Which he closed in wondrous deed.

3 At the last great supper lying
Circled by his chosen band,
Meekly with the law complying,
First he finished its command;
Then, immortal food supplying,
Gave himself with his own hand.

4 Word made flesh, by word ordaining
Very bread his flesh to be;
We, in wine Christ’s blood obtaining,
And, if senses fail to see,
Faith alone will wake those straining
To behold the mystery. Amen

5 Therefore we, before him bending,
This great sacrament revere:
Types and shadows have their ending,
For the newer rite is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
Makes the inward vision clear.

6 Glory let us give, and blessing
To the Father and the Son;
Honor, might, and praise addressing,
While eternal ages run;
Ever, too, the Spirit blessing,
Who, from both, with both is one.

Amen

Text Information

• First Line: Of the glorius body telling
• Title: Of the Glorious Body Telling
• Author: Thomas Aquinas, 1227-1274
• Meter: 87 87 87
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1978
• Topic: Holy Week; Holy Communion
• Source: Tr. composite
• Notes: Tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866; Tr. Edward Caswall, 1814-1878

Tune Information

• Name: PANGE LINGUA
• Meter: 87 87 87
• Key: e minor
• Source: Mode III; Vatican collection
• Copyright: Setting © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship