"O Living Bread From Heaven"
                           by Johann Rist, 1607-1667
                 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
                                  Text From:
                       THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
           (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942) p.227-228
                                       

        1. O living Bread from heaven,
        How richly hast Thou fed Thy guest!
        The gifts Thou now hast given
        Have filled my heart with joy and rest.
        O wondrous food of blessing,
        O cup that heals our woes!
        My heart, this gift professing,
        In thankful songs o'erflows;
        For while the faith within me
        Was quickened by this food,
        My soul hath gazed upon Thee,
        My highest, only Good.

        2. My God, Thou here hast led me
        Within Thy temple's holiest place
        And there Thyself hast fed me
        With all the treasures of Thy grace,
        Oh, boundless is Thy kindness,
        And righteous is Thy power,
        While I in sinful blindness
        Am erring hour by hour;
        And yet Thou com'st not spurning
        A sinner, Lord, like me!
        Thy grace and love returning,
        What gift have I for Thee?

        3. A heart that hath repented
        And mourns for sin with bitter sighs,--
        Thou, Lord, art well contented
        With this my only sacrifice.
        I know that in my weakness
        Thou wilt despise me not,
        But grant me in Thy meekness
        The blessing I have sought;
        Yes, Thou wilt hear with favor
        The song that now I raise,
        For meet and right 'tis ever
        That I should sing Thy praise.

        4. Grant what I have partaken
        May through Thy grace so work in me
        That sin be all forsaken
        And I may cleave alone to Thee
        And all my soul be heedful
        How I Thy love may know;
        For this alone is needful
        Thy love should in me glow.
        Then let no beauty ever,
        No joy, allure my heart,
        But what is Thine, my Savior,
        What Thou dost here impart.

        5. Oh, well for me that, strengthened
        With heavenly food and comfort here,
        Howe'er my course be lengthened,
        I now may serve Thee free from fear!
        Away, then, earthly pleasure!
        All earthly gifts are vain;
        I seek a heavenly treasure,
        My home I long to gain,
        My God, where I shall praise Thee,
        Where none my peace destroy,
        And where my soul shall raise Thee
        Glad songs in endless joy.

        

        Notes from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Hymn #316 
        Text: Matt. 26: 26-29
        Author: Johann Rist, 1651, cento
        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
        Titled: "Wie wohl hast du gelabet"
        Tune: "Nun lob, mein' Seel'"
        1st Published in: _Concentus Novi_
        Town: Augsburg, 1540
        

          

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