Comfort Comfort Says the Voice
Comfort, comfort says the voice
This hymn embodies Lutheran comfort theology rooted in the pastoral office and God's promised consolation through the gospel. It connects Advent preparation with the comfort of forgiveness and the assurance of Christ's coming redemption.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Johannes Olearius in 1661 as 'Tröstet, tröstet, spricht der Herr,' this hymn became a beloved Advent preparation hymn in Lutheran tradition. Catherine Winkworth's 1863 English translation brought it into Anglo-Lutheran hymnody through The Chorale Book for England.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 107
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 29
- Lutheran Worship — 21
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 41
- With One Voice — 640
Translation
Bulletin Note
Johannes Olearius (1661) crafts a pastoral hymn rooted in Lutheran comfort theology. The text echoes Isaiah 40 while anchoring Advent hope in the forgiveness and pardon secured by Christ's cross and resurrection.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel's response to the Law by centering the comfort of forgiveness: Christ's redemption is not future hope alone but present consolation for the guilty conscience.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law's accusation answered by Gospel promise: God's absolute pardon and Christ's sufficient redemption transform mourning into comfort and restore creation's proper order
Themes
God's comfort and consolation Preparation for Christ Forgiveness of sins Gospel proclamation