All Depends on Our Possessing
All depends on our possessing
All Depends on Our Possessing is a hymn text by Nikolai Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1734) in 8.7.8.7.D meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW21 807, CW93 421, ELH 468, elw 589. Sung to WERDE MUNTER.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of providence and Christian reliance upon God's care, rejecting anxious concern for material security. It reflects Reformation themes of justification by faith and the proper Christian attitude toward worldly possessions.
History & Background
Zinzendorf composed this hymn in 1734 expressing the Moravian emphasis on trust in divine providence and contentment. Catherine Winkworth's English translation first appeared in her 1863 collection and became standard in Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 807
- Christian Worship — 421
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 468
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 589
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 447
- Lutheran Service Book — 732
- Lutheran Worship — 415
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 425
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Zinzendorf in 1734, this Moravian hymn reflects Reformation confidence in God's providence while rejecting anxious striving for security—a word for every age and budget.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the law's condemnation of covetousness into the gospel's proclamation of divine providence, teaching that Christian freedom means trusting God's promises over grasping at possessions.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law and Gospel: The soul's radical unworthiness (stanzas 1-2) gives way to Christ's redemptive power (stanzas 3-4). The hymn moves from honest confession of sin to confident reception of grace.
In the Church Year
Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 3
Suggested in the one-year series
- Trinity 15 (4×)
- Trinity 1 (2×)
- Trinity 4 (2×)
- Ash Wednesday (1×)
- Lent 4 (1×)
- St. Bartholomew (1×)
- Trinity 13 (1×)
- Trinity 9 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 24 (2×)
- Lent 2 (1×)
- St. Bartholomew (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
An anonymous 17th-century German hymn on Prov 10:22 ('The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it'). It argues that everything depends on God's grace and blessing, not on wealth (st. 1); recalls God's past faithfulness as the ground of future trust (st. 2); contrasts anxious striving for trifles with seeking a lasting treasure (st. 3); surrenders soul and body to God in sorrow (st. 4) and to his wisdom in all things (st. 5); and anchors in his grace whatever the length of life (st. 6). It is a First Article hymn with a Second Article anchor: grace.
Central theme: Contentment and trust grounded in God's grace rather than in earthly possessions
Structure
Thesis (1); past faithfulness (2); false and true treasure (3); surrender in sorrow (4); submission to God's wisdom (5); anchored in grace (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law exposes the fretful pursuit of 'things that have no solid ground' (st. 3); the Gospel is God's 'abundant grace' and 'loving-kindness' in which the soul anchors.
Confessional Connections
First Commandment and First Article (Large Catechism: whatever we trust above all is our god; mammon as the most common idol). Daily bread received with thanksgiving (Fourth Petition).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Stewardship; Thanksgiving; Sundays with Matt 6:24-34 or Luke 12:13-21; New Year; times of economic hardship.
Historical Notes
Appeared in German hymnals from c. 1673; author unknown. Winkworth included it in 'Lyra Germanica' (second series, 1858).
About the Tune
ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN (Johann Löhner, 1691) — calm, steady melody.
Scripture References
Prov 10:22 Matt 6:19-34 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19 Ps 37:5 Ps 73:25-26 Heb 6:19 Luke 12:15-21
Stanza by Stanza
Everything depends on having God's abundant grace and blessing, even if all earthly wealth disappears; whoever trusts God with steady faith is not abandoned and always keeps a brave heart.
The thesis echoes Prov 10:22. 'All depends' is a striking reversal of ordinary values: not wealth but God's 'grace and blessing' determine whether life is secure. Note the order: grace first, blessing second — God's favor in Christ is the root of every other good. 'Though all earthly wealth depart' anticipates the possibility of loss (Job 1:21; Hab 3:17-18). The promise is not that the faithful will be wealthy, but that they will not be 'forsaken' (Heb 13:5) and will keep 'a dauntless heart' — courage that comes from trust, not circumstances. Luther's Large Catechism names mammon as the most common god on earth; this stanza sets faith against it.
- Scripture
- Prov 10:22, Job 1:21, Hab 3:17-18, Heb 13:5-6, Ps 112:7
- Imagery & language
- Possessing grace; departing wealth; dauntless heart.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel (grace and blessing) set against false trust in wealth.
- Connection to previous
- Thesis.
The God who has fed me until now and led me to many joys is and always will be mine; he who taught me gently and still guides me will remain my divine help.
Faith argues from past mercy to future faithfulness — 'hitherto' recalls 1 Sam 7:12 ('Till now the LORD has helped us,' Ebenezer). God 'fed me' (daily bread, Matt 6:11; Ps 145:15-16). 'Is and ever shall be mine' — possessive faith, as in the covenant formula 'I will be your God' (Jer 31:33). 'Did so gently school me' — God's discipline is fatherly and gentle (Heb 12:5-11; Ps 25:4-5). Guidance is not only past but present ('still doth guide and rule me').
- Scripture
- 1 Sam 7:12, Matt 6:11, Ps 145:15-16, Jer 31:33, Heb 12:5-11, Ps 23:1-3
- Imagery & language
- Feeding; leading; schooling; ruling.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God's faithful providence.
- Connection to previous
- Grounds the thesis in experience.
Many waste their lives worrying about trifles and gaining things that have no solid foundation; I will strive for a treasure that brings lasting joy and is seldom found.
A sharp observation of human life, close to Jesus' words in Matt 6:19-21, 25-34 and the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:15-21). 'Fretting' and 'getting' — anxiety and acquisition are paired, because wealth pursued as security produces anxiety, not peace (1 Tim 6:9-10). 'Things that have no solid ground' recalls the house built on sand (Matt 7:26). The 'treasure… seldom found' is the pearl of great price (Matt 13:45-46) — Christ and his kingdom. 'Seldom found' is sobering: the world rarely seeks it (Matt 7:14). 'I shall strive' should be read as faith's desire, not earning — the treasure is given by grace.
- Scripture
- Matt 6:19-21, 25-34, Luke 12:15-21, 1 Tim 6:9-10, 17-19, Matt 7:26, Matt 13:45-46, Matt 7:14
- Imagery & language
- Fretting; trifles; groundless things; rare treasure.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (the folly of earthly striving) pointing to Gospel (the true treasure).
- Connection to previous
- Contrast between false and true treasure.
When sorrow strikes me, hope will revive my heart and quiet my longing; I surrender soul and body to God's tender kindness, for I build on him alone.
Hope revives under sorrow (Rom 5:3-5; Lam 3:21-24, 'this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases'). 'All my longing shall be stilled' — Ps 131:2 (a weaned child, calmed and quieted). Surrender of 'soul and body' echoes Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers ('into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things'). 'In Him alone I build' — Christ the only foundation (1 Cor 3:11; Matt 7:24).
- Scripture
- Rom 5:3-5, Lam 3:21-24, Ps 131:2, Ps 31:5, 1 Cor 3:11, Matt 7:24
- Imagery & language
- Stricken heart; quickening hope; foundation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — hope and surrender.
- Connection to previous
- Trust in sorrow.
God knows best what to give me; my longing hopes, joys, and sorrows each have their time; I will never doubt his wisdom; as God wills, so be it; I commit my way to him.
God's wisdom in providence (Rom 8:28; Matt 6:8). 'Joy and sorrow, have their day' — Eccl 3:1-4. 'As God wills, so be it ever' — the Third Petition ('Thy will be done'), which Luther explains as God breaking every evil will that would hinder his kingdom and keeping us firm in his Word. 'I to Him commit my way' quotes Ps 37:5. The resolution 'I shall doubt His wisdom never' is a confession of faith, prayed in the knowledge that faith wavers.
- Scripture
- Rom 8:28, Matt 6:8, Eccl 3:1-4, Matt 6:10, Ps 37:5, Prov 3:5-6
- Imagery & language
- Granting; seasons of joy and sorrow; committing a way.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — trust in God's wisdom.
- Connection to previous
- Submission to God's wisdom.
If God gives me a long life he will strengthen my weary soul; I place all my trust in him; earthly wealth does not last but slips away like a stream; I anchor safely in his grace.
Whether life is long or short is in God's hands (Ps 31:15; 90:10-12). 'He my weary soul will strengthen' (Isa 40:29-31). Wealth 'like a stream away is gliding' (Prov 23:5; Jas 1:10-11). The final image — 'Safe I anchor in His grace' — draws on Heb 6:19 ('a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul'). The hymn ends where it began, with grace, now pictured as the only fixed point in a flowing world.
- Scripture
- Ps 31:15, Ps 90:10-12, Isa 40:29-31, Prov 23:5, Jas 1:10-11, Heb 6:18-19
- Imagery & language
- Lengthened days; gliding stream; anchor.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — anchored in grace.
- Connection to previous
- Returns to grace as the anchor.
Themes
Trust in Providence Christian contentment Stewardship God's care and sustenance Detachment from worldly goods