Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family! Listen to the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “Then Jesus said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’” (Mark 4:9 – NIV 1984). Tobias Clausnitzer was thirty years old when he heard about peace. He born at Thum, near Annaberg, in Saxony, probably on Feb. 5, 1619, a year after the Thirty Years Wars began; Europe was torn apart, and many lives were lost. He studied in several universities but he finished his studies in the University of Leipzig. He was appointed as a chaplain and because of this position was has able to preach in the famous church of St. Thomas of Leipzig. This is important, especially for musicians, because this is the same church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as the music director. Tobias wrote several hymns and Bach created the melody and harmony for many of them.

The most popular one of his hymns is “Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word.” This is a gathering hymn that helps believers to focus on the Lord; it helps Christian to move from the dark world to the presence of the Lord. Yes, Tobias heard Him, the perfect and incarnate Word of God, and then he received peace.

May the Lord grant you peace every time you open His blessed word.

1. Blessed Jesus, at your word
we are gathered all to hear you.
Let our hearts and souls be stirred
now to seek and love and fear you.
By your gospel pure and holy,
teach us, Lord, to love you solely.

2. All our knowledge, sense, and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
till your Spirit breaks our night
with your beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God can win us;
you must work all good within us.

3. Glorious Lord, yourself impart;
Light of Light, from God proceeding,
open lips and ears and heart;
help us by your Spirit's leading.
Hear the cry your church now raises;
Lord, accept our prayers and praises.

In His service,
Israel