Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#165

165. Spread, O spread, thou mighty Word

1 Spread, O, spread, thou mighty Word,
Spread the kingdom of the Lord,
That in earth's remotest bound
Men may hear thy joyful sound.
Tell them how the Father's will
Made the world, and keeps it still,
How His only Son He gave,
Man from sin and death to save.

2 Tell of our Redeemer's love,
Who forever doth remove
By His holy sacrifice
All the guilt that on us lies.
Tell them of the Spirit given
As our guide through Christ to heaven,
Strong and holy, just and true,
Working both to will and do.

3 Word of Life! most pure and strong,
Lo, for thee the nations long:
Spread and banish by thy light
Everywhere sin's dreary night.
Up! the ripening fields we see,
Mighty shall the harvest be;
But the reapers still how few!
Lord, send men Thy work to do.

Text Information

• First Line: Spread, O spread, thou mighty Word
• Author: Jonathan Friederich Bahnmeier (1827)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1858)
• Meter: 7s. Eight lines. No. 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Church Year: Mission; Sexagesima; Ascension Day
• Source: Tr. composite based chiefly on that of Winkworth
• Notes: From the German text: Walte, walte, nah und fern

Tune Information

• Name: BENEVENTO
• Composer: Samuel Webbe (ca. 1770)
• Meter: 7s. Eight lines. No. 10
• Key: E Major