His hymns on the life and work of our Lord are too numerous to be more than

indicated here. The following hymn on the text, “Blessed are the eyes that see what ye see, and the ears that hear what ye hear”, is typical of his expository hymns.

Blessed were the eyes that truly

Here on earth beheld the Lord;

Happy were the ears that duly

Listened to His living word.

Which proclaimed the wondrous story

Of God’s mercy, love and glory.

Kings and prophets long with yearning

Prayed to see His day appear;

Angels with desire were burning

To behold the golden year

When God’s light and grace should quicken

All that sin and death had stricken.

He who, light and life revealing,

By His Spirit stills our want;

He, who broken hearts is healing

By His cup and at the font,

Jesus, Fount of joy incessant,

Is with light and grace now present.

Eyes by sin and darkness blinded

May now see His glory bright;

Hearts perverse and carnal minded

May obtain His Spirit’s light.

When, contrite and sorely yearning,

They in faith to Him are turning.

Blessed are the eyes that truly

Now on earth behold the Lord;

Happy are the ears that duly

Listen to His living word!

When His words our spirits nourish

Shall the kingdom in us flourish.

Grundtvig reaches his greatest height in his hymns of praise to Christ, the Redeemer. Many of his passion hymns have not been translated into English. In

the original, the following hymn undoubtedly ranks with the greatest songs of praise to the suffering Lord.

Hail Thee, Savior and Atoner!

Though the world Thy name dishonor,

Moved by love my heart proposes

To adorn Thy cross with roses

And to offer praise to Thee.

O what moved Thee so to love us,

When enthroned with God above us,

That for us Thou all wouldst offer

And in deep compassion suffer

Even death that we might live.

Love alone Thy heart was filling

When to suffer Thou wert willing.

Rather givest Thou than takest,

Hence, O Savior, Thou forsakest

All to die in sinner’s place.

Ah, my heart in deep contrition