Before Thee God Who Knowest All

Before Thee God Who Knowest All is a hymn text by Christian Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 306, ELH 493, elw 660, lbw 310. Sung to PASSION CHORALE.

This hymn embodies Lutheran penitential theology, emphasizing the recognition of human sinfulness before God's all-knowing presence and the comfort found in divine mercy. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of Law (conviction of sin) and Gospel (assurance of forgiveness) as essential to genuine Christian faith.

History & Background

Written by Christian Behm in early 17th century Germany as a penitential hymn, it was published in German hymnals and later translated by Catherine Winkworth, a leading translator of German hymns into English. The hymn became widely used in Lutheran worship during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship — 306
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 493
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 660
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 310
• Lutheran Service Book — 613
• Lutheran Worship — 234
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 318

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Written by German pastor Christian Behm in 1602, this penitential hymn captures Reformation theology: honest confrontation with sin before God's all-knowing presence, answered by comfort in divine mercy and Christ's redemption.

Preaching Connection

This hymn powerfully embodies the Lutheran two-fold proclamation: God's Law strips away self-deception through omniscient judgment, while the Gospel assures us that this same God's mercy triumphs in Christ.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological meditation moving from Christ's suffering, to personal appropriation of redemption, to grateful response, to covenantal commitment

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Trinity 4 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Ash Wednesday (1×)
• Proper 18 (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

A confession hymn by Magnus Brostrup Landstad, the Norwegian pastor who compiled the Norwegian Lutheran hymnal of 1869. Each stanza ends with the tax collector's prayer, 'O God, be merciful to me!' (Luke 18:13). The sinner falls before the all-knowing God, confessing sins of thought, deed and word (st. 1); prays not to be cast away and for the Spirit's drawing to true penitence (st. 2, cf. Ps 51:11); and asks for cleansing by Christ's blood and to go home justified (st. 3), as the tax collector did. It is a Confession and Absolution hymn.

Central theme: Confession before the all-knowing God and the plea for mercy, answered by justification through Christ's blood

Structure

Three six-line stanzas (8.8.8.8.8.8) with refrain 'O God, be merciful to me!' Confession (1) — plea (2) — cleansing and justification (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: sins of thought, deed and word; fear of being cast away (1-2). Gospel: Christ's blood, justification, peace (3).

Confessional Connections

Confession of sins of 'thought, word and deed' (Divine Service confession). Penitence as the Spirit's work (st. 2; FC II). Justification as the outcome — the tax collector 'went down to his house justified' (st. 3; AC IV).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Confession and Absolution; preparation for Communion; Lent; Ash Wednesday.

Historical Notes

Landstad (1802-1880), Norwegian pastor and folklorist. Döving (1867-1937) translated many Scandinavian hymns.

About the Tune

VATER UNSER (Schumann's Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539).

Scripture References

Luke 18:9-14 Ps 139:1-4 Heb 4:13 Ezra 9:15 Ps 51:3-4, 11 Ps 32:5 1 John 1:7 Luke 18:14 Rom 5:1

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Divine omniscience Human sinfulness and confession God's justice and mercy Penitence and forgiveness Trust in God's righteousness

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Before Thee God Who Knowest All" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "PASSION CHORALE" ↗