A Rest Remaineth for the Weary
A rest remaineth for the weary
A Rest Remaineth for the Weary is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 615. Sung to REST.
The hymn emphasizes the doctrine of salvation's completion and eternal rest in Christ, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on justification by faith and the believer's security in God's promise. It connects the biblical Sabbath concept to Christian eschatology, offering comfort to the faithful regarding their ultimate destiny.
History & Background
This hymn appears in 19th-century American hymnal traditions with uncertain authorship. It was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 615, where it remained a standard entry for congregational singing.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 615
Bulletin Note
From the 19th-century tradition of evangelical hymnody, this C.M. hymn develops the biblical Sabbath motif as Christian eschatology, anchoring weary believers in Christ's finished work and promised eternal rest.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of our weariness into Gospel proclamation: Christ's redemptive rest supersedes all human labor, making it a powerful witness to justification by faith alone.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Commandment Small Catechism — Ten Commandments
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: A pastoral text that moves through grief without rushing to resolution — Law in the honest naming of loss, Gospel in the assurance of divine presence in darkness
Background Research
TLH 615. German: "Es ist noch eine Ruh vorhanden" by Johann Sigismund Kunth (1700–79), 1730, on Hebrews 4:9, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God". TLH files it under Life Everlasting. The English is a composite, apparently prepared for TLH: CPH says four stanzas were translated for TLH, and only two English-language Lutheran hymnals have carried it. Tune WIE WOHL IST MIR (also tied to Dessler's text, see r1062 and BWV 517); alternate ES IST NOCH EINE RUH (Lutheran Chorale Book; CPH Music of the Month). From memory: Kunth was a Silesian pastor and later superintendent at Baruth, and the hymn is linked to Zinzendorf's circle and was popular with Pietists.
Overview
A beloved German hymn of heaven by Johann Sigismund Kunth, on Heb 4:9. Each stanza ends with a line about rest. Arise, sad heart: the dark road ends on the golden shore, where the Lamb will lead and feed you (st. 1). The Father's house has a place for you, bought by the Lamb's blood; he calls, 'Come, sweetest rest awaits you here!' (st. 2). Come, all who are weary: 'Ye are Mine own' though sin and Satan strike (st. 3). Rest and peace without measure, 'The perfect rest is nigh at hand' (st. 4).
Central theme: The Sabbath rest that remains for God's people, won by the Lamb's blood and offered by his invitation
Structure
Four ten-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8.8.9.9.8); each closing line (marked with an asterisk in CCEL) speaks of rest. The promise (1); the Father's house and the Lamb's blood (2); Christ's invitation (3); the rest anticipated (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'dark and dreary'; 'dungeons dreary'; 'sin and Satan seek to smite you' (1, 3). Gospel: 'His precious blood the Lamb hath given'; 'Ye are Mine own'; 'Sweet is the rest' (1-3).
Confessional Connections
Heb 4:9 (TLH's text): 'There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.' St. 2 grounds the rest in eternal love and the atonement: 'Who loved thee from eternity' (Eph 1:4; Jer 31:3) and 'His precious blood the Lamb hath given' (1 Pet 1:18-19; AC III). It is election in Christ as comfort (FC XI), not speculation. St. 3 is Christ's invitation (Matt 11:28) with the word of ownership 'Ye are Mine own' (Isa 43:1; SC Baptism and Creed II, 'that I may be His own'). 'Tho' sin and Satan seek to smite you' admits the believer's continuing struggle (FC VI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; All Saints; Last Sundays of the Church Year; times of affliction.
Historical Notes
Kunth (1700-1779), Lutheran pastor in Silesia and later superintendent at Baruth. He wrote the hymn c. 1730 and published it in 1733. TLH's English translation is not credited in CCEL.
About the Tune
WIE WOHL IST MIR, O FREUND DER SEELEN (Geistreiches Gesangbuch, Halle, 1704).
Scripture References
Heb 4:9-11 Matt 11:28-30 Rev 7:17 Ps 23:1-2 Rev 14:13 John 14:2-3 Jer 31:3 Eph 1:4 1 Pet 1:18-19 Isa 55:1 Isa 61:1 Isa 43:1 Rom 16:20 Ps 55:6 Rev 21:4 Rom 13:11
Stanza by Stanza
A rest remains for the weary; get up, sad heart, and grieve no more. Though the road is long, dark and dreary, it ends on the golden shore. Before his throne the Lamb will lead you and feed you on heavenly pastures. Throw off your burden and hurry; soon the work and struggle will be over, and the weary way you have walked. Sweet is the rest you will taste.
'There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God' (Heb 4:9). 'The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd… to springs of living water' (Rev 7:17). 'He makes me lie down in green pastures' (Ps 23:2).
- Scripture
- Heb 4:9-11, Rev 7:17, Ps 23:1-2, Rev 14:13
- Imagery & language
- Rest remains; sad heart; golden shore; Lamb leads and feeds; burden cast; sweet rest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: rest promised.
- Connection to previous
- Rest remains.
The Father's house has many rooms, and there will be a place for you. The heart of the one who loved you from eternity overflows with perfect love. The Lamb has given his precious blood so that you may share the joys of heaven, and now he calls far and near: 'You weary souls, stop complaining; come while my light is shining for you; come, the sweetest rest is waiting for you here!'
'In my Father's house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you' (John 14:2). 'I have loved you with an everlasting love' (Jer 31:3). 'With the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb' (1 Pet 1:19). 'Walk while you have the light' (John 12:35).
- Scripture
- John 14:2-3, Jer 31:3, Eph 1:4, 1 Pet 1:18-19, John 12:35
- Imagery & language
- Father's house; place for thee; eternal love; Lamb's blood; call; light; sweetest rest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: rest won by the blood and offered.
- Connection to previous
- A place for thee.
Come, all of you who are weak and weary, souls bent under many cares; get up, leave your dreary prisons and listen to his beautiful promise: 'You carried your burdens meekly and humbly; I will keep my most holy pledge and be your comfort and your rest. You are my own; I will reward you. Though sin and Satan try to strike you, rejoice! Your home is with the blessed.'
'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matt 11:28). 'To proclaim liberty to the captives' (Isa 61:1). 'I have called you by name, you are mine' (Isa 43:1). 'The God of peace will soon crush Satan' (Rom 16:20).
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28-30, Isa 61:1, Isa 43:1, Rom 16:20
- Imagery & language
- Weak and weary; dungeons; promise; Solace and Rest; Mine own; sin and Satan; home with the blest.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: sin and Satan. Gospel: 'Ye are Mine own.'
- Connection to previous
- Mine own.
There, rest and peace without measure will be ours through eternity; no grief or care will spoil our happiness, and untold bliss will be our lot. If only we had wings to hurry there, no longer brooding over earthly troubles, to join the glad, triumphant crowd! Hurry, my soul, forget all sadness; peace, joy and gladness are waiting for you. The perfect rest is near.
'Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest' (Ps 55:6). 'Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain' (Rev 21:4). 'Salvation is nearer' (Rom 13:11).
- Scripture
- Ps 55:6, Rev 21:4, Rom 13:11
- Imagery & language
- Endless rest and peace; no grief; wings; triumphant band; perfect rest nigh.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: rest at hand.
- Connection to previous
- Rest nigh.
Themes
Rest in Christ Heaven and eternal life Salvation hope Sabbath rest