Day By Day
Day by day and with each passing moment
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran piety's emphasis on God's daily sustenance and the Christian's dependence on divine grace for each moment of life. It reflects the Reformation principle that God's love is constantly renewed, offering comfort through trust rather than works, central to Lutheran anthropology and soteriology.
History & Background
Written by Swedish hymnist Karolina Sandell-Berg in 1865, this hymn became one of the most beloved expressions of daily trust in God's providence. Translated into English by Andrew L. Skoog in 1921, it gained widespread use in American Lutheran hymnals throughout the twentieth century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 599
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 767
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 330
- Lutheran Service Book — 730
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 420
- Lutheran Worship — 471
- New Century Hymnal — 457
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 521
- United Methodist Hymnal — 664
- Voices Together — 575
- With One Voice — 731
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg in 1865 Sweden, this hymn emerges from profound grief yet radiates trust in God's moment-by-moment care—a cornerstone of Lutheran piety emphasizing grace over works.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's accusation of anxious self-sufficiency into the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's daily, renewed grace—making it a perfect musical response to sermons on providence, anxiety, or the sufficiency of God's Word.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From daily trust in God's provision (1) through Christ's burden-bearing (2-3) to assurance of divine protection (4). Gospel arc: anxiety transformed by grace into confident reliance.
Themes
Trust in Divine Providence Reliance on God's Strength Daily Grace Surrender and Faith God's Sufficiency