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O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

O living Bread from heaven,

how richly hast Thou fed Thy guest!

The gifts Thou now hast given

have filled my heart with joy and rest.

O wondrous food of blessing,

O cup that heals our woes!

My heart, this gift professing,

in thankful songs o’erflows;

For while the faith within me

was quickened by this food,

My soul hath gazed upon Thee, my highest, only Good.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

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O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

My God, Thou here hast led me

Within Thy temple’s holiest place

And there Thyself hast fed me

With all the treasures of Thy grace;

And Thou hast freely given

What earth could never buy,

The Bread of Life from heaven,

That now I shall not die;

Thou unto me hast granted

That I the blessed wine

Should take by faith implanted, and be forever Thine.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

3 of 8

O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Thou givest all I’ve wanted,

The food whose pow’r can death destroy,

And Thou hast freely granted

The cup of full eternal joy;

Ah, Lord, I do not merit

The favor Thou hast shown,

And all my soul and spirit

Bow down before Thy throne;

Since Thou, O Lord, hast fed me

The bread of angels here,

Though sin and death beset me my foes I shall not fear.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

4 of 8

O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

O Love uncomprehended!

That wrought in Thee, Lord Jesus, thus,

That Thou shouldst have descended

From highest heav’n to dwell with us!

Creator, that hath brought Thee

Thy succor to impart!

Oh, grant to me who’ve sought Thee

A meek and lowly heart

That trusts Thy grace and favour,

And when my time is o’er,

May I Thy face, O Saviour, behold forevermore.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

5 of 8

O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

For as a shadow passes

Pass I, but Thou dost still endure;

I wither like the grasses,

But Thou art rich, though I am poor;

Oh, boundless is Thy kindness,

And righteous is Thy pow’r,

While I in sinful blindness am erring hour by hour;

And yet Thou com’st not spurning

A sinner, Lord, like me!

Thy grace and love returning,

What gift have I for Thee?

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

6 of 8

O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

A heart that hath repented

And mourns for sin with bitter sighs,—

Thou, Lord, art well contented

With this my only sacrifice.

I know that in my weakness Thou wilt despise me not,

But grant me in Thy meekness

The blessing I have sought;

Yes, Thou wilt hear with favor

The song that now I raise,

For meet and right ’tis ever

That I should sing Thy praise.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

7 of 8

O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Grant what I have partaken

May through Thy grace so work in me

That sin be all forsaken and I may cleave alone to Thee

And all my soul be heedful

How I Thy love may know;

For this alone is needful

Thy love should in me glow.

Then let no beauty ever,

No joy, allure my heart,

But what is Thine, my Saviour,

What Thou dost here impart.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)

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O LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Oh, well for me that, strengthened

With heav’nly food and comfort here,

Howe’er my course be lengthened,

I now may serve Thee free from fear!

Away, then, earthly pleasure! all earthly gifts are vain;

I seek a heav’nly treasure, my home I long to gain,

My God, where I shall praise Thee,

Where none my peace destroy,

And where my soul shall raise Thee

Glad songs in endless joy.

Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)�translated from Johann Rist (1607-1667)