Here, O my Lord

By Horatius Bonar

Lyrics

1. Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
here would we touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace
and all my weariness upon Thee lean.

2. Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
here drink with Thee the royal wine of heav'n;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv'n.

3. This is the hour of banquet and of song;
this is the heav'nly table spread for me;
here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong
the brief, bright hour of fellowship with Thee.

4. Too soon we rise, the symbols disappear;
the feast, though not the love, is past and done;
gone are the bread and wine, but Thou art here,
nearer than ever, still my Shield and Sun.

5. Feast after feast thus comes, and passes by;
yet passing, points to the glad feast above;
giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
the Lamb's great bridal feast of bliss and love.

Bible Reference

1 Corinthians 11:26

About This Hymn

"Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face" is a deeply devotional communion hymn written by Horatius Bonar, the Scottish pastor, poet, and hymn writer who left behind a legacy of rich evangelical hymns. Composed in 1855, this hymn reflects the believer’s personal communion with Christ at the Lord’s Table, where the act of taking bread and wine becomes a moment of intimate fellowship with the Savior. Bonar’s words emphasize the spiritual reality of meeting Christ in the sacrament, not in a physical sense but through faith, as the believer remembers His sacrifice and receives anew the assurance of forgiveness and grace.

The hymn is marked by its tender and contemplative tone. Bonar avoids elaborate language and instead uses plain, heartfelt expressions that capture the believer’s longing for closeness with Christ. The opening line, "Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face," conveys the intimacy of the communion experience, where the soul draws near to Christ in remembrance of His death. Each stanza develops the theme of renewal, humility, and reliance on the Savior, acknowledging human weakness while rejoicing in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. The imagery of spiritual feeding, drinking, and renewal reflects the deeper meaning of the Lord’s Supper as both a memorial and a means of grace for the believer.

Bonar’s ministry was marked by a passion for personal holiness and the centrality of the cross. This hymn reflects those convictions, offering worshipers a moment of heartfelt reflection at the communion table. Its enduring popularity lies in its ability to combine theological depth with devotional warmth, making it suitable for both congregational singing and private meditation. For over a century and a half, "Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face" has provided believers with language to express the solemn joy of meeting Christ in the sacrament. Through its lines, worshipers are reminded that communion is not a ritual to be taken lightly but a sacred act of remembering, receiving, and renewing faith in the risen Lord.