"O Lord, We Praise Thee"

                    by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

                               Text From:

                       THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        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 flouish:

        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

        To please Him with our behavior

        And live as brethren here in love and union

        Nor repent this blest Communion!

        O Lord, have mercy!

        Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;

        Grant that heavenly-minded He make us;

        Give Thy Church, Lord, to see

        Days of peace and unity:

        O Lord, have mercy!



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #313 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_

        Text: Ps. 118: 1

        Author: unknown, c. 1400,  St. 1

        Author: Martin Luther, 1524, St. 2 & 3

        Translated by: composite

        Titled: "Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet"

        Tune: "Gott sei gelobet"

        German melody, c. 1400