1. Spread, O spread, thou mighty Word,
   Spread the kingdom of the Lord,
   Wheresoe’er His breath has giv’n
   Life to beings meant for heav’n.

2. Tell them how the Father’s will
   Made the world and keeps it still,
   How His only Son He gave
   Man from sin and death to save.

3. Tell of our Redeemer’s love,
   Who forever doth remove
   By His holy sacrifice
   All the guilt that on us lies.

4. Tell them of the Spirit giv’n
   Now to guide us up to heav’n,
   Strong and holy, just and true,
   Working both to will and do.

5. Word of Life! most pure and strong,
   Lo! for Thee the nations long;
   Spread, till from its dreary night
   All the world awakes to light.

6. Up! The ripening fields ye see.
   Mighty shall the harvest be;
   But the reapers still are few,
   Great the work they have to do.

7. Lord of Harvest, let there be
   Joy and strength to work for Thee
   Till the nations far and near
   See Thy light and learn Thy fear.

Walte, walte nah und fern
Jonathan Friedrich Bahnmaier, 1827
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Source: Sts. 1–4, 6–7, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 507
St. 5, Lyra Germanica, 1858, p. 60