There are 138 passages of Scripture in the Bible that speak of thanksgiving. Unfortunately, there are very few hymns that were written on the subject. Among those few we find “Now Thank We All Our God”, a beloved hymn sung around the world, particularly among German Christians. It was written by Martin Rinkart, a Lutheran pastor in the little village of Eilenberg, Saxony. Martin felt the call to be a pastor and begin his ministry just as the Thirty Years’ War was raging through Germany. It was the most desperate of times as refugees flooded into the walled city of Eilenberg. The Swedish army surrounded the gates of the city, while inside the walls the people were plagued with sickness, famine, and fear. More than eight hundred homes were destroyed, and the number of deaths increased daily. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors who were in constant care for the sick and dying. Much of their strength was spent on burying the dead and preaching the Gospel. The pastors themselves began to fall ill and, one by one, perished until only Martin Rinkart remained. On some days he, alone, conducted as many as fifty funerals. Finally, when the Swedes demanded ransom, it was Martin Rinkart who went out to negotiate with the enemy. He armed himself with courage and faith and soon saw an end to the hostility; the period of suffering was over. Rinkart, knowing there is no healing without thanksgiving, composed this hymn for the survivors of Eilenberg and has been sung in thankfulness ever since.²

Now Thank We All Our God, with heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done, in Whom this world rejoices.

Who, from our mothers’ arms, hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.³

Suggested Prayer: Dear Father God, thank you for all of your blessings and the protection you provide us. Thank you, also, for the trials you allow to come my way; for using hardship to make my faith in you grow stronger. I lift my hands to you today with a thankful heart for all you do and who you are! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV).

2. “Then Sings My Soul” book written by Robert J. Morgan.

3. “Now Thank We All Our God”, Martin Rinkart, 1636.