Friedrich Christian Heyder (1677–1754), a Saxon parish pastor, first published this hymn in 1710 in a collection with the formidable title Das Andächtig-singende Evangelische Zion. The original consisted of 28 stanzas. The Missouri Synod’s first hymnal in 1847 included 21; The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) translated 15; and the Lutheran Service Book editors divided the remaining material into two separate hymns (LSB 618 and 619). What never made it into English translation is the most surprising poetry: in the original, Heyder describes the communicant as “drunk with Your love” and compares Christ’s blood to wine sweeter than malmsey. The vivid intimacy of the Lord’s Supper, which the English text preserves in more measured tones, drives every stanza.
Sung at Our Saviour
2026