Dearest Jesus Draw Thou Near Me
Dearest Jesus, draw Thou near me
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran sacramental piety by portraying Christ's drawing near in the Eucharist as an intimate, personal encounter with the risen Lord. It balances objective sacramental reality with subjective spiritual experience, characteristic of Lutheran devotionalism.
History & Background
Originally written in German by Pietist devotionalist Gerhardt Tersteegen in the early eighteenth century, this hymn reflects the intimate, personal spirituality characteristic of German Pietism. The text was translated into English by John Christian Jacobi and has appeared in various Lutheran hymnals since the nineteenth century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 321
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 265
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Gerhardt Tersteegen (1697–1769), a German Pietist mystic, this 1729 hymn expresses the intimate sacramental piety characteristic of Lutheran devotionalism, wedding objective grace with personal encounter.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel movement: it names our spiritual poverty and longing (the law that drives us to seek), then proclaims the joy of Christ drawing near in grace (the gospel that satisfies).
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
Communion with Christ Eucharist Mystical union Devotional intimacy Prayer