Thee we adore, O hidden Savior, Thee -- Hymn Lyrics

1 Thee we adore, O hidden Saviour, thee
who in thy sacrament art pleased to be;
both flesh and spirit in thy presence fail,
yet here thy presence we devoutly hail.

2 O blest memorial of our dying Lord,
who living bread to us doth here afford;
O may our souls for ever feed on thee,
and thou, O Christ, for ever precious be.

3 Fountain of goodness, Jesu, Lord and God,
cleanse us, unclean, with thy most cleansing blood;
increase our faith and love, that we may know
the hope and peace which from thy presence flow.

4 O Christ, whom now beneath a veil we see,
may what we thirst for soon our portion be:
to gaze on thee unveiled, and see thy face,
the vision of thy glory and thy grace.

"Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee" is a revered hymn of adoration, typically associated with the Eucharist or the Blessed Sacrament in Christian worship. Its text and tone reflect deep reverence for the mystery of Christ's presence in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

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Background

• Latin Title: "Adoro Te Devote"
  The hymn originates from the Latin hymn Adoro Te Devote, traditionally attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), one of the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church. It was written as part of a set of hymns for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

• English Translation:
  The English version, "Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee," is a poetic translation of the Latin text. Many translations exist, but the one most commonly sung was rendered by James Russell Woodford in the 19th century.

• Theme:
  The hymn focuses on the mystery of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, expressed with deep humility and adoration.

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Themes and Key Ideas

1. Adoration of Christ’s Presence:
   The hymn exalts Christ as the hidden Savior, present under the forms of bread and wine in the Eucharist.

2. Faith Beyond Sight:
   Reflecting John 20:29 (KJV): "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed," the hymn acknowledges the need for faith to grasp the divine mystery.

3. Union with Christ:
   It expresses the longing for spiritual union with Christ and eternal communion in heaven.

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Notable Lyrics

The English version captures the essence of the Latin hymn with verses like:

• "Thee we adore, O hidden Savior, Thee,
  Who in Thy Sacrament art pleased to be;"
  This highlights Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and the act of adoration.

• "O blest memorial of our dying Lord,
  Who living Bread to men doth here afford!"
  It reflects on the Eucharist as a living memorial of Christ’s sacrifice.

• "Increase our faith, our Savior, and our light,
  Till through the veil we see Thee face to face."
  This expresses the eschatological hope of seeing Christ fully in eternity.

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Musical Setting

• Tune: Commonly paired with the melody "ADORO TE DEVOTE," a Gregorian chant, which adds to the meditative and reverent quality of the hymn.
• Modern Use: The hymn is often used in liturgical settings, especially during Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, and Communion services.

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Legacy

This hymn holds a timeless place in Christian worship due to its theological richness and profound spirituality. It bridges the gap between earthly worship and the heavenly reality, inviting believers into deeper adoration and faith in the mystery of Christ's sacramental presence.