Till redeemed to life victorious

By Thy resurrection glorious.

In this rugged hymn Kingo is at his best—fiery, vital, a master of imagery and

graphic expression.

His hymns on the sacraments faithfully reflect the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Here he most clearly shows his ability to present objective truths in a devotional spirit. We meet in these a Christian who humbly and prayerfully accepts the whole mystery of God. For centuries these rugged songs have served

to express the sentiments of millions as they met at the baptismal font or knelt before the altar. The following is one of the most favored baptismal hymns both

in the Danish and Norwegian churches:

Whoso believes and is baptized[3]

God’s kingdom shall inherit,

For he is cleansed by Jesus Christ

Who, by His grace and merit,

Adopts him as His child and heir,

Grants him in heaven’s bliss to share

And seals him with His Spirit.

We ask with earnest faith of Thee,

Our Lord and blest Defender,

That Thou wilt guide us constantly

And, in Thy mercy tender,

Keep us in our baptismal grace

Until at last we take our place

With Thee ’midst heaven’s splendor.

Kingo’s communion hymns have to a large extent been superseded by later hymns of Grundtvig and others. But some of them are still in common use. The

following characteristic hymn is frequently used before the communion.

Lord Jesus Christ receive me now

As with a heart contrite I bow

Before Thine altar, blessed Lamb,

Who bore my sorrow, sin and shame.

I am today my Saviour’s guest.

Bethink, my soul, the honor blest,

That He, Thy Lord, will sup with thee

And will Himself Thy nurture be.

He offers to thee with the bread

His body riven for thy aid,

And with the wine His precious blood,

The price of thy eternal good.

How this can be, I cannot tell;

He did not on the mystery dwell;

No mind the secret can perceive,

It is enough that I believe.

Rejoice, then, O my soul today

That God’s appointed servant may

Now offer thee the gift so free

Through which thy Lord unites with thee.

O Lord, I offer Thee my soul

To nourish, strengthen and make whole.

Uphold me by Thy means of grace

Until I see Thee face to face.

The short hymn given below is a favorite after the communion in numerous Danish and Norwegian churches.

O dearest Lord, receive from me

The heartfelt thanks I offer Thee,