An Old English version of the Lord’s Prayer

The only prayer which Jesus taught his disciples.

Praying and reading the Bible

The Lord’s Prayer is the only prayer which JesusJesus (Greek form of Hebrew 'Joshua' meaning 'Yahweh [God] is salvation') Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded mainly in the Four Gospels although he is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37-c.100) and the Roman historian Tacitus (c.110). taught his disciples, and it has been important to those who follow him ever since. The Anglo-Saxon writer BedeBede, the Venerable (c.673-735) Anglo-Saxon historian and biblical scholar. Sent to study at the monastery of Wearmouth at seven; later transferred to Jarrow. Renowned in his lifetime for his learning, Bede wrote treatises on poetry, time and cosmography. Historical works include History of the Abbots, prose and verse versions of the Life of St Cuthbert and Ecclesiastical History of the English People. advised that it is key to teaching the ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings.. He also translated it from Latin into English so everyone could understand it.

Several versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Old EnglishOld English The language and vernacular (English) literature of the Anglo-Saxons in England between the fifth and eleventh centuries. have survived for us to discover. The one included below is special. Each line of the original has been expanded to relate it closely to the writer’s own experience. It gives us a window into the needs and faith of someone who lived many centuries ago.

St.Cuthbert praying beside the River Tyne. Credit: British Library Yates Thompson MS 26 f010v
St.Cuthbert praying beside the River Tyne. Credit: British Library Yates Thompson MS 26 f010v

Focusing on knowing God 

From the beginning, the writer acknowledges his own weakness, praying for help and comfort. He knows God is in heavenHeaven The dwelling-place of God and the angels and eventually all those who will live with God for eternity. and is holyHoly Set apart, sacred, especially implying coming from or consecrated to God. and powerful; he has a sense of the wonder and glory of God and heaven. But he also knows that the truth about God needs to be established in his mind and heart: he needs help to hold onto it; he needs it to become part of his being. 

Focusing on our daily needs

The second part of the prayer focuses on physical and spiritual needs, relationships and conflict.

The bridge between the two parts of the prayer is made by the request for daily bread. In this version the poet blends the image of an earthly lord providing his warriors with food in return for their loyalty, and the biblical picture of the heavenly Lord who gave the bread of life, his own body, for the life of the world. Thus, the writer sets Christ at the centre of the prayer, as the source of his strength.

The reflection on forgiveness may reflect the frequent violence of Anglo-Saxon life. Forgiveness was not easy for the Anglo-Saxons, when vengeance was built into the legal system and a socially required duty. One Christian Anglo-Saxon king was killed by his followers, because ‘he too readily forgave injuries when the offenders asked pardon.’

The writer is realistic about the challenges around him, begging to be protected from the misery which can crush faith, from sorrow, temptationTemptation The inclination to do things which are known to be wrong or unhelpful, particularly the desire to resist what God wants. In the Garden of Eden the Devil in the form of the serpent tempted Eve to disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Gospels describe how the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness., and evil. Yet he finishes with confidence, full of thanksgiving and praise. 

When you have read this very personal take on the Lord’s Prayer, you might like to create your own version.

An Old English version of the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven.

Father of humankind, help and consolation I pray of you, holy Lord, you who are in heaven.

HallowedHallowed Blessed, consecrated, holy be your name.

May your name now, saviourSaviour (Latin salvator 'redeemer', 'deliverer') Used in the Old Testament of God who rescues the Israelites from captivity and exile, and in the New Testament of Jesus Christ, as the one who offers deliverance from sin to all human beings. Christ, be hallowed in our minds, firmly established in our hearts.

Your kingdom come.

May your kingdom come to us, to all people, Lord of power, righteous Judge, and may glorious faith in you remain in our hearts, all the days of our life.

Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

And may your will among us be fulfilled in the dwellings of the earthly kingdom, just as your pure will is in the glory of heaven, joyfully adorned for evermore.

Give us today our daily bread.

Now give us today, Lord of men, high King of heaven, our bread which you sent into the world for the salvationSalvation The teaching that God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ and offered himself to die on the cross in order to save men and women from their sins. There were a variety of interpretations of the doctrine of the Atonement (that is, the reconciliation of mankind to God through the death of Christ). Origen (c.185-254) viewed Christ's death as a ransom paid to Satan, who had acquired rights over man through the Fall of Humankind; but this interpretation was later largely superseded by that of St Anselm (c.1033-1109), who taught that Christ died to take the punishment due to human sin, thus paying the debt owed to God and appeasing his righteous anger of our souls — Christ the pure, that is, Lord God.

And forgive us our sins.

Guardian of men, forgive us our offences and sins and pardon our crimes, the wounds of the body and the wicked deeds, with which we often anger you, merciful and almighty God —

As we forgive those who sin against us.

— just as we forgive the crimes which on earth people often commit against us, and do not intend to reproach them for their sins, so that we may merit eternal life.

Lead us not into temptation.

Saviour Christ, do not lead us into misery, into the pain of sorrow, into temptation, in case we, hardened against graceGrace 1. The undeserved favour of God, given to enable an individual to grow spiritually.2. A prayer of thanksgiving said before meals. through enmity, become estranged from all your mercies.

But deliver us from evil.

And now especially save us from the evil of every enemy. Lord of the angels, true Lord of victories, in our hearts we readily give you thanks and glory that you in your mercy and by your mighty power redeemed us from the captivity of hell’s torment.

Amen.

Let it be so.