Come to Calvary's Holy Mountain
Come to Calvary's holy mountain
The hymn presents Christ's sacrifice at Calvary as the fountain of cleansing for sinners, directly reflecting Zechariah 13:1 and Lutheran sacramental theology. It emphasizes both the objective reality of Christ's atonement and the subjective experience of forgiveness and renewal available to all believers.
History & Background
Originally composed in German as 'Komm zu des Heilands Gnadenbrunnen' by Samuel Rodigast during the Thirty Years' War, it was published in 1675. Benjamin Schmolck's English translation appeared in the 18th century and became the standard version in English-language Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 735
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 301
- Lutheran Service Book — 435
- Lutheran Worship — 96
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 149
Translation
Bulletin Note
Samuel Rodigast (1675) anchors this hymn in Zechariah 13:1, presenting Christ's sacrifice not as distant theology but as an accessible fountain of grace. A treasure of Lutheran sacramental piety, it unites objective atonement with personal renewal.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms Zechariah's prophetic promise into lived experience: the Law strips us bare before our sin, and the Gospel announces that Calvary's fountain—Christ's atoning blood—flows without measure for our complete healing.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: conviction of sin (stanzas 1-2) → proclamation of mercy (stanzas 3-4); Calvary as the locus of both judgment and grace
Themes
Atonement Blood of Christ Repentance Forgiveness Cleansing from sin