Before Sermon explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Prayer and Dependence on God

  The entire chapter is a prayer for spiritual nourishment, guidance, and blessing, highlighting the congregation's reliance on God.

• Grace and Unmerited Favor

  The hymns emphasize that sinners approach God not by their own righteousness but by His grace and invitation.

Characters to notice

• The Lord

  Addressed as the provider of spiritual food and the one who inspires the preacher.

• Jesus Christ

  Mentioned as the source of living water, whose death opened the way to God's grace.

• The Narrator

  The collective voice of the congregation, expressing hunger, thirst, and dependence on God.

Key passages

• “I Confirm the hope thy word allows, Behold us waiting to be fed; Bless the provisions of thy house, And satisfy thy poor with bread: Drawn by thine invitation Lord, Thirsty and hungry we are come! Now from the fullness of thy word, Feast us, and send us thankful home.”

  We trust in Your promise, Lord, and come to You hungry and thirsty. Feed us with Your Word and send us away grateful.

  Expresses the congregation's expectation of spiritual nourishment from God's Word.

• “Now, Lord, inspire the preacher’s heart, And teach his tongue to speak; Food to the hungry soul impart, And cordials to the weak.”

  Lord, guide the preacher and give him words that will feed our souls and strengthen the weak.

  A prayer for the preacher's effectiveness and the spiritual benefit of the hearers.

• “Thy promise, Lord, and thy command, Have brought us here to-day; And now, we humbly waiting stand To hear what thou wilt say.”

  We are here because You called us, and we wait humbly to hear Your message.

  Acknowledges God's initiative in gathering the congregation.

• “Hungry and faint and poor, Behold us, Lord, again Assembled at thy mercy’s door, Thy bounty to obtain.”

  We come to You weak and needy, seeking Your mercy and provision.

  Highlights human poverty and dependence on God's mercy.

• “Not to Sinai’s dreadful blaze, But to Zion’s throne of grace, By a way mark’d out with blood, Sinners now approach to God.”

  We do not come to God through the terrifying law of Sinai, but through the gracious throne of Zion, made accessible by Christ's blood.

  Contrasts the old covenant of law with the new covenant of grace.

• “Lord, there are no streams but thine Can assuage a thirst like mine; ’Tis a thirst thyself didst give, Let me therefore drink and live.”

  Only You can satisfy my deep spiritual thirst, which You Yourself created. Grant me to drink and live.

  Expresses the soul's longing for God and the recognition that He alone can satisfy.