Hymn Reflection: Now Thank We All Our God
The History
The Thirty Year’s War was a violent and gruesome time on the European continent, following a century after the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Millions died as theological and political powers convulsed in bloody battles; many more perished in plagues and famines. The revolution of salvation by faith had a tumultuous effect on the kingdoms of this world.
On the eve of this great war, Martin Rinkart came to minister to the walled town of Eilenburg. He had a good reputation as a musician as well as being a writer and theologian, and he came with the intent to serve his people. Many came to seek shelter from the war in the walls of Eilenburg, and the town was overcrowded.
In 1637 a great pestilence struck the town, and thousands died that year. The other clergy of Eilenburg either fled or died, and Rinkart was left to minister alone. He performed more than four thousand funerals that year. One of them was for his wife. Following the plague came a famine, and even in the midst of his poverty, Rinkart shared food with all he could.
The Hymn
In the aftermath of this grave and monstrous suffering, Martin Rinkart wrote a hymn. What kind of song could come out of such tragedy? A lament? A plea for vindication? A cry for mercy? Even an imprecatory song would seem justified in the face of such a horrendous war.
Instead, Rinkart wrote a hymn of gratitude, Nun Danket Alle Gott (“Now Thank We All Our God”). As the Lord had spared him and sustained him through the terrible plight of war, pestilence, and famine, the song of Rinkart’s heart was one of thankfulness.
He based the first two verses of the hymn on the apocryphal text Ecclesiasticus 50:22–24.
Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which only doeth wondrous things every where, which exalteth our days from the womb, and dealeth with us according to his mercy. He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever: That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!
The text sings with gratitude, while at the same time looks forward to a great deliverance. How fitting a meditation for someone who has walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and yet still longs for the great redemption to come. The third verse of the hymn follows with a Trinitarian meditation on the Gloria Patri. The English version was translated by Catherine Winkworth in the 1860s.
The Tune
The most commonly used tune for “Now Thank We All Our God” is NUN DANKET, written in 1646 by Johann Crüger. Felix Mendelssohn harmonized it for his Lobegesang cantata in 1840. The tune is very singable in Eb, covering the range of just less than an octave. The harmonization is rich, and while more complex than most modern tune arrangements, it supports the melody without distracting.
For Worship
Because America has a holiday set aside for gratitude, “Now Thank We All Our God” has become known to most as a Thanksgiving hymn. But because of the rich lyrics, it is fitting in any portion of a service where thanks and praise are called for. As the tune is in a very singable range, this hymn is ripe for a contemporary arrangement. And as a historic testimony of God’s faithfulness, “Now Thank We All Our God” deserves a place in any church’s repertoire.
Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
