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Kingo’s communion hymns have to a large extent been superseded by later hymns of Grundtvig and others.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
