“Your Word, O Lord, is Gentle Dew,” LBW 232
1 Your Word, O Lord, is gentle dew
To suff'ring hearts that want it;
Oh, shed your heav'nly balm anew,
To all your garden grant it;
Refreshed by you, may every tree
Bud forth and blossom gaily
And fruit and seed bring daily.
2 Your Word is like a flaming sword,
A sharp and mighty arrow,
A wedge that cleaves the rock: that Word
Can pierce through heart and marrow.
Oh, send it forth o'er all the earth,
To purge unrighteousness leaven
And cleanse all hearts for heaven.
3 Your Word, a wondrous Star, supplies
True guidance when we need it;
It points to Christ and so makes wise
All simple hearts that heed it;
Let not its light e'er sink in night,
But keep it brightly burning,
and fill our deepest yearning.
Devotion
This hymn is a fitting reprise or echo of the texts and devotions for this week. The Word of God is both gentle dew and judgment. It pierces our hearts and at the same time brings healing balm to them. It does this by pointing us always to Jesus Christ, who is himself God’s word to us. Through him God interprets our lives so that, confessing our sins, we are brought to our knees. Then we are raised to new lives of faith, trusting in God’s will because we know it is good and gracious. In this way, God purges unrighteous leaven and cleanses all hearts for heaven.
Prayer
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit. Amen.