Art Thou Weary Art Thou Troubled

Art Thou Weary Art Thou Troubled is a hymn text by Stephen the Sabaite (750) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Translated by John Mason Neale. Found in h82 457, lw 426, tlh 513. Sung to STEPHANOS.

The hymn presents Christ as the ultimate source of rest and consolation for the burdened soul, reflecting Lutheran theology of Christ's redemptive work. It emphasizes the Gospel invitation to sinners, consistent with Luther's teaching on Christ's accessibility and comfort to the penitent.

History & Background

Originating in 8th-century Byzantine hymnody, this ancient Greek hymn was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1862 from the Greek liturgical tradition. It appeared in various Lutheran hymnals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a beloved meditation hymn.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Hymnal 1982 — 457
• Lutheran Worship — 426
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 513

Translation

John Mason Neale

Bulletin Note

Written by Stephen the Sabaite (d. 750), a Palestinian monk, this hymn traveled from Eastern Orthodoxy into Western hymnody. Its simple, repetitive structure mirrors monastic prayer and invites tired souls into Christ's accessible comfort.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's diagnosis of human burden into the Gospel's proclamation of Christ as the sole source of redemptive rest, making it a powerful liturgical response to sermons addressing sin, suffering, or the invitation to repentance.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Human condition of weariness and fear (Law) → Christ as sole answer and burden-bearer (Gospel) → Exhortation to faith and perseverance → Assurance of eternal glory

Overview

J. M. Neale's dialogue hymn, once believed a translation from St. Stephen the Sabaite but essentially Neale's own (the tune STEPHANOS keeps the name). A seeker asks; a voice answers. Weary? 'Come to Me… Be at rest' (st. 1); how will I know him? By the wound-prints (st. 2); his crown? Thorns (st. 3); his reward here? Sorrow, labor, tears (st. 4); at last? Sorrow vanquished, Jordan passed (st. 5); will he refuse me? Not till heaven and earth pass away (st. 6); is he sure to bless? Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs answer, 'Yes' (st. 7).

Central theme: The crucified Christ, known by his wounds and crowned with thorns, who receives the weary and never refuses those who come

Structure

Seven quatrains (8.5.8.3) in question-and-answer form; each answer in quotation marks.

Law & Gospel Shape

Law/cross: wound-prints, thorns, sorrow, labor, tears (2-4). Gospel: 'Come to Me… Be at rest'; 'Will He say me nay? Not till earth… pass away'; 'Yes' (1, 6-7).

Confessional Connections

Matt 11:28 (TLH's text). The hymn is a lesson in the theology of the cross: Christ is identified not by glory but by 'wound-prints' (John 20:27) and a crown 'of thorns'; discipleship brings 'many a sorrow… many a tear' (Acts 14:22). Yet the Gospel answer is unconditional: 'Will He say me nay? / Not till earth and not till heaven / Pass away' — 'whoever comes to me I will never cast out' (John 6:37). St. 7: the cloud of witnesses testifies to God's faithfulness (Heb 12:1); 'all the promises of God find their Yes in him' (2 Cor 1:20).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Invitation; Lent; consolation; evangelism.

Historical Notes

Neale (1818-1866) published it in Hymns of the Eastern Church (1862), attributing it to St. Stephen the Sabaite (8th c.), but later acknowledged it was largely original.

About the Tune

STEPHANOS (Henry W. Baker, 1868).

Scripture References

Matt 11:28-30 John 20:20 John 20:27 Matt 27:29 Acts 14:22 John 16:33 Rev 21:4 Josh 3:17 John 6:37 Matt 24:35 Heb 12:1 2 Cor 1:20

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Christ's invitation and rest Consolation in affliction Trust in Christ Redemption Grace

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Art Thou Weary Art Thou Troubled" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "STEPHANOS" ↗