Lyrics
Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God
Whom earth and heav'n adore;
for thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
Devotional Thought
For several centuries now, God's people have been singing this long-standing hymn in praise and worship of Him. If we reflect for even just a moment on the lyrics of the hymn, it becomes clear why it has stood the test of time.
Let's look at the first verse, which overflows with thanksgiving. When we consider all of the wondrous things that God has done, His many blessings on our way, and His "countless gifts of love," we can't help but respond. With all that we have - "hearts, hands, and voices" - we express our deep thanksgiving and gratitude to God, with the hope that others join us in this expression (note the "we" in the first verse - "now thank we all our God!").
The second verse includes several heartfelt petitions that come as a result of an increased awareness of the goodness of our "bounteous God." Here, and so that we might continue to experience His blessed joy and peace, we ask God to be near us. We also ask Him to keep us in His grace, to guide us in times of distress and confusion, and to free us from all sickness - not only in this world, but also in eternity. What humble requests are made of God with the singing of this verse.
Finally, the third verse ends just as the hymn began - with great praise and thanksgiving. This time, though, the source is more specific. Not only is the Father to be praised, but also the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those who sing this hymn profess their belief in the "one eternal God." Together, they make it clear that He is the only one who has ever been, and who ever will be, worthy of true worship and adoration - "for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore."
Corresponding Bible Verses for Reflection and Study
Psalm 27:8
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 40:5
Many, o Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Psalm 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.