Behold the Savior of Mankind

Behold the Savior of mankind

Behold the Savior of Mankind is a hymn text by Latin hymn, authorship uncertain; attributed to various medieval sources (1200) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation from various sources. Found in lw 79, tlh 176.

The hymn emphasizes Christ's substitutionary atonement and sacrificial death as the means of human salvation, central to Lutheran soteriology. It invites believers into contemplative meditation on the sufficiency of Christ's Passion for redemption and transformation.

History & Background

This medieval Latin hymn exists in various textual traditions and English translations. The TLH version represents a standard English rendering used in Lutheran hymnody for Lenten and Passion devotion.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 79
The Lutheran Hymnal — 176

Translation

composite English translation from various sources

Bulletin Note

A Latin hymn of uncertain medieval authorship, this text crystallizes the church's centuries-old meditation on Christ's sacrificial death—a cornerstone of Lutheran understanding that salvation rests entirely on His cross, not our works.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dynamic: it names our desperate need for a Savior while celebrating the victory already won at Calvary, making it a perfect liturgical response to proclamation of substitutionary atonement.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Of Justification Augsburg Confession

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A Passion hymn by Samuel Wesley Sr., father of John and Charles. Tradition says the manuscript survived the 1709 fire at the Epworth rectory, found singed in the garden. Behold the Savior nailed to the tree, and the vast love that moved him to die 'for thee' (st. 1); nature shakes, the veil tears, rocks split (st. 2); 'Tis done; the precious ransom's paid' — he commends his soul and bows his head (st. 3); but soon he will break death's chain — 'was ever pain, was ever love, like Thine?' (st. 4).

Central theme: The vast love of the crucified Savior, whose death pays the ransom and whose resurrection follows

Structure

Four common-meter quatrains. Behold (1) — creation's response (2) — 'It is finished' and death (3) — resurrection and wonder (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: love 'to bleed and die for thee'; 'the precious ransom's paid'; resurrection.

Confessional Connections

Luke 23:46 (TLH's text): 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' 'For thee' — the pro me of faith (Gal 2:20; AC IV, XX). 'Tis done; the precious ransom's paid' — 'It is finished' (John 19:30); the atonement complete, nothing to add (Ap IV; AC XXIV against sacrifices for sin). St. 4 links death and resurrection: 'it was not possible for him to be held by it' (Acts 2:24; AC III). 'Was ever pain… like Thine?' echoes Lam 1:12, the traditional Good Friday text.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Good Friday; Holy Week.

Historical Notes

Samuel Wesley (1662-1735), rector of Epworth. The story of the hymn surviving the 1709 rectory fire is traditional (verify).

About the Tune

WINDSOR (Christopher Tye, 1553; traditionally derived from his Actes of the Apostles, later shaped in Damon's Psalter, 1591 — verify).

Scripture References

Luke 23:46 John 19:5 Gal 2:20 Matt 27:51 Mark 15:37 John 19:30 Mark 10:45 1 Pet 1:18-19 Acts 2:24 Lam 1:12 John 15:13 Rom 5:8

Stanza by Stanza

1 Behold the Savior of mankind…

Look at the Savior of mankind nailed to the shameful tree! How vast is the love that moved him to bleed and die for you!

'Behold the man!' (John 19:5). 'Who loved me and gave himself for me' (Gal 2:20). 'Enduring the cross, despising the shame' (Heb 12:2).

Scripture: John 19:5, Gal 2:20, Heb 12:2
Imagery & language: Savior; shameful tree; vast love.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — love for thee.
Connection to previous: Behold.

love of Christ Good Friday

2 Hark how He groans while nature shakes…

Listen to him groan while nature shakes and the strong pillars of the earth bend! The Temple veil tears in two; the solid rocks split.

Matt 27:51: 'the curtain of the temple was torn in two… the earth shook, and the rocks were split.' 'Jesus cried out with a loud voice' (Mark 15:37).

Scripture: Matt 27:51, Mark 15:37, Heb 10:19-20
Imagery & language: Groans; earthquake; veil torn.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — access opened.
Connection to previous: Nature shakes.

Good Friday creation access to God

3 'Tis done; the precious ransom's paid;…

It is done; the precious ransom is paid. 'Receive my soul!' he cries. See where he bows his sacred head; he bows his head and dies.

'It is finished… he bowed his head and gave up his spirit' (John 19:30). 'Into your hands I commit my spirit' (Luke 23:46). Ransom (Mark 10:45; 1 Pet 1:18-19).

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 23:46, Mark 10:45, 1 Pet 1:18-19
Imagery & language: Ransom paid; bowed head.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — atonement complete.
Connection to previous: It is done.

Sixth and Seventh Words redemption death of Christ

4 But soon He'll break death's envious chain…

But soon he will break death's envious chain and shine in full glory. Lamb of God, was there ever pain, was there ever love, like yours?

'God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death' (Acts 2:24). 'Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow' (Lam 1:12). 'Greater love has no one' (John 15:13; Rom 5:8).

Scripture: Acts 2:24, Lam 1:12, John 15:13, Rom 5:8
Imagery & language: Death's chain broken; unmatched pain and love.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — resurrection; love.
Connection to previous: Unmatched love.

resurrection love of Christ Lamb of God

Themes

Christ's Passion Redemption through the cross Sacrifice and atonement Meditation on Christ's suffering

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "Behold the Savior of Mankind" ↗