"Thy Table I Approach"

               by Gerhard W. Molanus, 1633-1722

            Translated by Matthias Loy, 1828-1915

                                 Text From:

                      THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1. Thy table I approach,

        Dear Savior, hear my prayer;

        Oh, let no unrepented sin

        Prove hurtful to me there!



        2. Lo, I confess my sins

        And mourn their wretched bands;

        A contrite heart is sure to find

        Forgiveness at Thy hands.



        3. Thy body and Thy blood,

        Once slain and shed for me,

        Are taken here with mouth and soul,

        In blest reality.



        4. Search not how this takes place,

        This wondrous mystery;

        God can accomplish vastly more

        Than seemeth plain to thee.



        5. Vouchsafe, O blessed Lord,

        That earth and hell combined

        May ne'er about this Sacrament

        Raise doubt within my mind.



        6. Oh, may I never fail

        To thank Thee day and night

        For Thy true body and true blood,

        O God, my Peace and Light!



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #310 from The Lutheran Hymnal

        Text: Mark 14: 22-25

        Author: Gerhard W. Molanus, 1673, cento

        Translated by: Matthias Loy, 1880, alt.

        Titled: "Ich trete frisch"

        Tune: "St. Michael"

        1st Published in: "Genevan Psalter," 1551