Lord’s Day, Vol. 6 No. 29
(1) Now Thank We All Our God
– Revival Hymns and Chorus No. 27
This hymn of gratitude, often known as the Te Deum of Germany and England, was not written as a choral hymn, but as a grace to be sung before meals in the author’s home. In every stanza is the thought of Psalm 103:1-2, 4: “ Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name… and forget not all his benefits: Who redeemeth thy life from destruction…”
The hymn is rooted in the horrors of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), which began as a spiritual conflict between the Protestant and Roman Catholic princes in Germany but degenerated into a political war for the conquest of territory.
Martin Rinkart, a pastor in Eilenburg, Saxony, played an important role in the affairs of that town. Since Eilenburg was a walled town, it became a refuge for hordes of fugitives. With these fugitives came a plague that claimed 8000 lives, among them Rinkart’s beloved wife. Often Rinkart was the only minister in town, and he had to work long hours in caring for the sick and burying the dead (he buried 4,480 people in the year of 1,637, sometimes as many as 40 to 50 a day).
Rinkart, although hardly able to provide clothing for his own family, mortgaged future incomes for several years in order to help the impoverished people. On more than one occasion Rinkart saved Eilenburg from the Swedish army. One incident involved a 30,000-taler tax to aid the Protestant cause. Rinkart, knowing that his townsmen were unable to afford such a heavy tax, went to the Swedish camp to plead for mercy. When the general rejected the plea, Rinkart turned to his people and said, “Come, my children, we can find no mercy with men; let us take refuge with God.” And falling on his knees, he offered prayer and led his followers to sing, “When in the hour of utmost need…” So touched was the heart of the Swedish commander that he reduced the tax to 1,350 talers.
In the midst of the turmoil, Rinkart was always ready to lift his voice in song. He properly assigned the hardships to Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” and gave thanks always “for all things,” as God had commanded (Ephesians 5:20).
From his birth, Rinkart, had been groomed to endure hardship. Born in Eilenburg on April 23, 1586, he was the son of a poor coppersmith who was unable to pay for his son’s education. Rinkart, through much industry, paid his own way through the University of Leipzig.
On December 8, 1649, was called from his earthly labours to take up his heavenly abode. Two centuries later, Miss Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) translated “Nun danket alle Gott” into English. This faithful translator exemplified true Christian womanhood; she was a tender, sympathetic, refined intellectual and a champion of women’s education.
The tune to “Now Thank We All Our God” (NUN DANKET) was composed by Johann Cruger (1598-1662), one of the most distinguished German musicians of his day and at various times a private tutor in Berlin; the Cantor of St. Nicholas’ Church, Berlin; a Master at the Gymnasium; and an editor and contributor to several important German hymnological works of the seventh century.
Now Thank We All Our God
Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, In whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms, Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Thru all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts, And blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills, In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son and Him Who reigns, With Them in highest heaven –
The one eternal God, Whom earth and heav’n adore –
For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
(2) Another Visitation to Share the Gospel
Thank God for a visitation made to Kee Choon’s mother, my aunt, on 19 July 2018 at Kee Choon’s home. This visitation afforded an opportunity to share the gospel with Kee Choon’s mother. She is willing to believe and receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, saying the sinner’s prayer after the sharing of the gospel.
She said that there have been many since her younger days who tried to share with her God’s Word and the gospel but she has rejected them. I told her the heightened urgency that when a person dies without Christ, he suffers eternal judgment in hellfire. By the grace of God, she responded to the heavenly call. She is invited to join BHBPC Mandarin Service at 10 am. Please pray for her that God will increase her faith. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee