Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come

Come, Thou precious Ransom, come

Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come is a hymn text by Philip Nicolai (1599) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in elw 332, lbw 24, lsb 350, luyh 79.

The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of Christ as the precious ransom for human sin, emphasizing substitutionary atonement and redemptive grace. It reflects the penitential season's focus on Christ's suffering and the believer's yearning for reconciliation through His sacrifice.

History & Background

Philip Nicolai composed this hymn in 1599 as part of a devotional work during a time of plague in Westphalia, Germany. It became one of the most significant Lutheran chorale texts and was widely adopted in German Protestant worship.

Hymnal Appearances

Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 332
Lutheran Book of Worship — 24
Lutheran Service Book — 350
Lift Up Your Hearts — 79
Lutheran Worship — 34
The Lutheran Hymnal — 55

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Philip Nicolai in 1599, this hymn is sung to the melody of 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden' and exemplifies the Lutheran chorale tradition's focus on Christ's substitutionary atonement and the sinner's comfort in grace.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran proclamation that Christ's ransom satisfies the law's demand and delivers the gospel's mercy in a single redemptive act.

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

An Advent hymn built on the Palm Sunday Gospel (Matt 21:5-9). Christ is invoked as the 'precious Ransom' and only hope (st. 1), invited into the waiting heart (st. 2), welcomed with hosannas and palms, and received by faith as merit through grace (st. 3), and hailed as David's Son (st. 4). The opening title, 'Ransom,' names the purpose of Advent: the coming one comes to pay the price.

Central theme: Welcoming Christ, the precious Ransom, into the heart with faith and Hosannas

Structure

Invocation (1); entry into the heart (2); homage and faith (3); Hosanna (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: 'Only Hope for sinful mortals'; 'Thy merit through Thy grace.'

Confessional Connections

Faith embraces Christ's merit by grace (AC IV: 'faith… is reckoned for righteousness'). Christ comes to dwell in the believer.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

First Sunday in Advent; Palm Sunday.

Historical Notes

J. G. Olearius (1635-1711), of the same family of Lutheran pastors as Johannes Olearius ('Comfort, Comfort').

About the Tune

MEINEN JESUM LASS' ICH NICHT (Darmstadt, 1698).

Scripture References

Matt 21:5-9 Mark 10:45 1 Tim 2:6 Ps 24:7-10 Rev 3:20 Eph 3:17 Ps 118:25-26

Stanza by Stanza

1 Come, Thou precious Ransom, come…

Come, precious Ransom, the only hope for sinners; come, Savior of the world; all gates are open to you; come and let us see your beauty; we wait anxiously for you.

'Precious Ransom' (German: wertes Lösegeld) — Christ as the price paid for sinners (Mark 10:45; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 Pet 1:18-19). 'Only Hope for sinful mortals' (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 1:1). 'Open are to Thee all portals' (Ps 24:7-9, 'Lift up your heads, O gates'). 'Thy beauty' (Ps 45:2; Isa 33:17). Advent longing.

Scripture: Mark 10:45, 1 Tim 2:6, 1 Pet 1:18-19, Acts 4:12, Ps 24:7-9
Imagery & language: Ransom; open portals; beauty.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ the Ransom.
Connection to previous: Invocation.

atonement Advent longing Christ alone

2 Enter now my waiting heart…

Enter my waiting heart, glorious King and holy Lord; live in me and never leave, though I am poor and lowly; what riches I will have when you are my divine guest.

The Palm Sunday entry becomes Christ's entry into the heart (Rev 3:20; Eph 3:17). 'Though I am but poor and lowly' — unworthiness does not bar him (Luke 19:5-10, Zacchaeus). 'What riches will be mine' (2 Cor 8:9).

Scripture: Rev 3:20, Eph 3:17, Luke 19:5-10, 2 Cor 8:9
Imagery & language: Entering; guest; riches.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ indwelling.
Connection to previous: The heart.

indwelling grace humility

3 My hosannas and my palms…

Graciously receive my hosannas and palms; I will always honor you as best I can, and by faith I will embrace your merit through your grace.

The Palm Sunday crowd's homage (Matt 21:8-9) offered personally. 'As best I can' — honest about weakness. The decisive line: 'in faith I will embrace, / Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace' — faith receives Christ's merit, given by grace (Rom 3:24-25; AC IV). Even the homage is offered as response, not payment.

Scripture: Matt 21:8-9, John 12:13, Rom 3:24-25, Phil 3:9
Imagery & language: Hosannas; palms; embrace.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — faith embraces Christ's merit.
Connection to previous: Homage and faith.

justification faith worship

4 Hail, hosanna, David's Son!…

Hail, hosanna, Son of David; help us, Lord, hear our prayer; let your kingdom, scepter, and crown bring us blessing and salvation, so we may sing forever: hail, hosanna to our King.

Ps 118:25-26; Matt 21:9. 'Hosanna' = 'save now' — 'Help, Lord, hear our supplication.' Christ's kingdom brings salvation, not oppression (Zech 9:9). Eternal praise (Rev 7:10).

Scripture: Ps 118:25-26, Matt 21:9, Zech 9:9, Rev 7:10
Imagery & language: Hosanna; scepter and crown.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the saving King.
Connection to previous: Hosanna.

kingship of Christ Hosanna salvation

Themes

Redemption through Christ's sacrifice Messianic expectation Penitence and forgiveness Christ's humble entry and suffering

Look Further

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