Hymn-ful Sundays! "We Plough the Fields and Scatter"

This week's hymn is one by German poet Matthias Claudius in the late eighteenth century. Matthias' father was a Lutheran pastor, and he originally went to university to study theology, but then changed his course of student to law and languages. He wrote many many poems, several of which were under the name Asmus. His work includes the poem Death and the Maiden, which was used in a composition by Franz Schubert. He turned to writing religious works after a grave illness caused him to return to the faith of his childhood. 

We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, 

but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand; 

He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, 

 the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain. 

 [Refrain:] 

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; 

 then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love. 

He only is the Maker of all things near and far; 

He paints the wayside flower, he lights the evening star; 

the wind and waves obey him, by him the birds are fed; 

 much more to us, his children, he gives our daily bread. 

We thank thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good, 

the seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food. 

Accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, 

 with what we know you long for: our humble, thankful hearts.

Matthias Claudius
tr Jane Montgomery Campbell

This hymn reminds us that everything good comes from our Father in heaven, and we should therefor give our thanks to Him. Since this week is Thanksgiving in the US, I think it is a fitting one to meditate on this week. We hear in every verse the ways in which God is good to us in the ways that he provides for the needs of all creation, and we are thankful for them. Let us look to God's creation as a reflection of His love this week.

Be blessed and shine thankfully!

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