Come unto Me, Ye Weary
Come unto Me, ye weary
Come unto Me, Ye Weary is a hymn text by Christian Friedrich Gellert (1757) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John Underwood and Charles Tinsley. Found in CW21 706, CW93 336, ELH 413, elw 546.
This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the sole source of comfort and salvation, addressing spiritual weariness and the burden of conscience with the Gospel promise of divine rest. It reflects Gellert's Pietistic concern for personal relationship with Christ while maintaining doctrinal soundness.
History & Background
Originally composed by Gellert in German as part of his sacred poetry collection (Geistliche Oden und Lieder) published in Leipzig, 1757. The English translation by Underwood and Tinsley appeared in the 19th century and became standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 706
- Christian Worship — 336
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 413
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 546
- Lutheran Service Book — 684
- Lutheran Worship — 345
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 276
Translation
John Underwood and Charles Tinsley
Bulletin Note
Written by Christian Friedrich Gellert in 1757, this German Pietist hymn captures the deeply personal faith of its era while anchoring assurance in Christ alone—hallmarks of Lutheran devotion that endure across centuries.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran dialectic: the Law exposes our spiritual exhaustion and sin-sickness, while the Gospel announces Christ's mercy-seat as the only cure, inviting sinners to exchange their burden for His grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
In the Church Year
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 14 (2×)
- Proper 9 (2×)
- Proper 13 (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
An invitation hymn by William Chatterton Dix (author of 'What Child Is This?'). Each stanza quotes an invitation of Jesus and then reflects on 'the voice of Jesus': rest for the weary (st. 1, Matt 11:28), light for wanderers (st. 2), life for the fainting (st. 3), and 'whosoever cometh I will not cast out' (st. 4, John 6:37). It is a hymn about the Gospel as Christ's own spoken word, ending with the invitation of 'very sinners' who are unworthy.
Central theme: Christ's spoken invitation to the weary, lost, fainting and unworthy, who find rest, light and life in him
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6 D). Each opens with a quotation of Jesus (or paraphrase), then 'O ___ voice/love of Jesus.' Rest (1) — light (2) — life (3) — welcome (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law in 'weary,' 'wanderers,' 'fainting,' 'unworthy… very sinners'; Gospel in every invitation.
Confessional Connections
Christ's invitation is universal and earnest (FC XI.28-29). Faith comes by hearing his voice in the Word (AC V; Rom 10:17). Grace for the unworthy (AC IV).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Invitation; Lent; general use; evening services.
Historical Notes
Dix (1837-1898), English insurance manager and hymnwriter.
About the Tune
ANTHES (Friedrich K. Anthes, 1847).
Scripture References
Matt 11:28-30 John 8:12 John 10:10 John 6:37 Isa 55:1-3 Luke 15:2 Rom 5:8
Stanza by Stanza
'Come to me, weary ones, and I will give you rest.' Blessed voice of Jesus that comes to oppressed hearts! It speaks of blessing, pardon, grace and peace, of joy without end and love that cannot cease.
Matt 11:28. The 'voice of Jesus' is the Gospel — not a feeling but his spoken word, still heard in preaching and absolution. The rest it gives is described as 'benediction… pardon, grace, and peace' — the blessings of justification (Rom 5:1-2). The weary are those burdened by sin and the Law's demands; Christ's yoke is easy because he has borne the load (Matt 11:30).
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28-30, Rom 5:1-2, Num 6:24-26, Jer 31:3
- Imagery & language
- Voice; rest; benediction.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — rest for the weary.
- Connection to previous
- Opening.
'Come to me, wanderers, and I will give you light.' Loving voice of Jesus that cheers the night! We were sad and had lost our way, but you have brought us gladness and songs at daybreak.
Jesus as Light of the world (John 8:12) for those who have 'lost our way' (Isa 53:6). The shift to past tense — 'we had lost our way; but Thou hast brought us gladness' — is testimony: the singers have heard and been found. 'Songs at break of day' — joy comes in the morning (Ps 30:5).
- Scripture
- John 8:12, Isa 53:6, Luke 15:4-7, Ps 30:5, Isa 9:2
- Imagery & language
- Night and dawn; lost way.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — wandering; Gospel — light and gladness.
- Connection to previous
- Second invitation.
'Come to me, fainting ones, and I will give you life.' Cheering voice of Jesus that helps us in our struggle! The enemy is stern and eager, the fight fierce and long; but you have made us mighty and stronger than the strong.
Life for the fainting (John 10:10; Isa 40:29-31). The Christian life is warfare against 'the Foe' (Eph 6:12). 'Stronger than the strong' — Luke 11:21-22: Christ is the stronger man who overpowers the strong man. Our strength is his (2 Cor 12:9-10; Phil 4:13).
- Scripture
- John 10:10, Isa 40:29-31, Eph 6:10-12, Luke 11:21-22, 2 Cor 12:9-10
- Imagery & language
- Fight; strong and stronger.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — strength and life in conflict.
- Connection to previous
- Third invitation.
'Whoever comes I will not cast out.' Patient love of Jesus that drives away our doubt, which invites us — very sinners, unworthy of such great and free love — to come to you, dear Lord!
John 6:37: 'whoever comes to me I will never cast out.' This promise 'drives away our doubt' — assurance rests not on the quality of our coming but on Christ's promise not to reject. 'Unworthy… very sinners' — the invitation is precisely for sinners (Luke 15:2; 1 Tim 1:15). Love 'so great and free' — grace alone.
- Scripture
- John 6:37, Luke 15:2, 1 Tim 1:15, Rom 5:8, Eph 2:8-9
- Imagery & language
- Patient love; unworthy sinners invited.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — no one who comes is rejected.
- Connection to previous
- Final invitation and assurance.
Themes
Christ's invitation and rest Burden of sin and guilt Divine mercy and compassion Trust and faith in Christ