Dearest Jesus At Your Word
Dearest Jesus, at Your word
This hymn expresses the Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the center of worship and the primacy of God's Word in Christian life and instruction. It reflects the Reformation principle of sola scriptura while centering on Christ's teaching authority and transformative power.
History & Background
Written by German Lutheran pastor Tobias Clausnitzer in 1663, the original German text 'Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier' appeared in Leipzig hymnals. Catherine Winkworth's English translation, published in her 1858 collection, became standard in Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 677
- The Hymnal 1982 — 440
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 248
- Lutheran Service Book — 904
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 532
- Lutheran Worship — 202
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 16
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Tobias Clausnitzer in 1663, this hymn embodies the Reformation's sola scriptura principle while keeping Christ—not doctrine alone—at worship's heart, making it a model of Lutheran catechetical hymn-singing.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the sermon's proclamation by moving from the demand to hear God's Word (Law) to the joy of Christ's transformative teaching (Gospel), anchoring both in the Lutheran conviction that Scripture centers on Christ himself.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Word of God Discipleship Obedience to Christ Hearing God's Word