Dear Lord to Your True Servants Give
Dear Lord to Your true servants give
The hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on Christ's vicarious atonement and the believer's participation in His suffering through discipleship. It connects Isaiah's suffering servant prophecy directly to Christ's redemptive work and the Christian's call to servanthood.
History & Background
Written by German Catholic poet Heinrich Bone in 1847, this hymn originally appeared in German form. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection and became standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 283
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 482
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Heinrich Bone (1847), this hymn joins Isaiah's servant prophecy directly to Christ's atonement, sung to the Passion chorale 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden,' uniting Lutheran theology with medieval mystical devotion.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel's answer to the Law's demand for righteousness: Christ alone is the true servant whose obedience and suffering satisfy what we cannot achieve, yet invites us into the grace of sharing His cross.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological meditation moving from Christ's suffering, to personal appropriation of redemption, to grateful response, to covenantal commitment
Themes
Christ's suffering Servant ministry Atonement Redemption Devotion to Christ