Draw Us to Thee
Draw us to Thee, for then shall we be drawn
Draw Us to Thee is a hymn text by Johann Albrecht Bengel (1714) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW21 700, CW93 170, lsb 701, lw 153. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn emphasizes the doctrine of divine election and irresistible grace, reflecting the Reformed theology of Bengel and the Pietist movement. It expresses the Lutheran understanding that humans cannot come to Christ except through the Holy Spirit's drawing power, grounded in John 6:44.
History & Background
Originally written in German as "Ziehet uns nach dir" by Johann Albrecht Bengel in early 18th-century Württemberg. Catherine Winkworth's English translation was published in her 1863 collection, becoming the standard version in Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 700
- Christian Worship — 170
- Lutheran Service Book — 701
- Lutheran Worship — 153
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 215
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Johann Albrecht Bengel (1714), a Swabian Pietist theologian. This hymn reflects the Reformed doctrine of election and the Spirit's irresistible grace, central to both Pietist piety and Lutheran theology.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Gospel proclamation of John 6:44 by giving believers a voice to confess their utter dependence on God's drawing grace—transforming the doctrine of election from abstraction into lived prayer.
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
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Easter 7 (5×)
- Ascension (2×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A short Ascension hymn by Friedrich Funcke, pastor at Lüneburg, on Song of Solomon 1:4, 'Draw me after you; let us run.' Each stanza begins 'Draw us to Thee' and asks the ascended Christ to draw his people after him: to walk in his steps and hasten where he has gone (st. 1), to depart this life gladly (st. 2), to keep to the road to heaven (st. 3), to inherit his bliss beyond sin and hell (st. 4), and to share his glory as joint heirs (st. 5). The theology is simple and sound: we follow Christ to heaven only because he draws us.
Central theme: The ascended Christ drawing his people after him to heaven
Structure
Five six-line stanzas (4.4.7.4.4.7), each opening 'Draw us to Thee.' A litany-like prayer moving from the journey to the inheritance.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel — Christ draws; the dangers of straying (3) and sin and hell (4) are named as what he keeps us from.
Confessional Connections
The drawing of the Father and Son (John 6:44; 12:32) — conversion and perseverance are God's work (FC II, XI). Christ's ascension as forerunner (Heb 6:20). Joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Ascension; Sunday after Ascension; funerals.
Historical Notes
Funcke (1642-1699), cantor and pastor in Lüneburg. Crull's translation dates from 1923.
About the Tune
ACH GOTT UND HERR (Christoph Peter, Andachts-Zymbeln, Freiberg, 1655).
Scripture References
Song 1:4 John 6:44 John 12:32 John 14:2-3 1 Pet 2:21 Phil 1:23 Rev 21:4 Ps 23:3 Ps 119:35 1 Pet 1:4 Rom 8:17 2 Tim 2:12 Heb 6:19-20
Stanza by Stanza
Draw us to you, for then we will walk in your steps forever and hurry on to where you have gone, to be with you, dear Savior.
Song 1:4: 'Draw me after you; let us run.' John 12:32: 'I, when I am lifted up… will draw all people to myself.' The Ascension is the context: Christ 'has gone' ahead (John 14:2-3; Heb 6:20, our forerunner). 'For then shall we' — only when drawn can we follow; our walking 'in Thy steps' (1 Pet 2:21) is the fruit of his drawing (John 6:44).
- Scripture
- Song 1:4, John 12:32, John 6:44, John 14:2-3, Heb 6:19-20, 1 Pet 2:21
- Imagery & language
- Drawing and following.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ draws, we follow.
- Connection to previous
- Opening petition.
Draw us to you lovingly, Lord; let us depart with gladness so that we may be free forever from sorrow, grief and sadness.
Christ draws 'lovingly' — 'with cords of kindness' (Hos 11:4). 'Let us depart with gladness' — a prayer for a blessed death, like Simeon's (Luke 2:29) and Paul's desire 'to depart and be with Christ' (Phil 1:23). The freedom from sorrow is the promise of Rev 21:4.
- Scripture
- Hos 11:4, Luke 2:29, Phil 1:23, Rev 21:4, Isa 35:10
- Imagery & language
- Loving drawing; glad departure.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — a joyful death and end of sorrow.
- Connection to previous
- From the journey (1) to its end.
Draw us to you; grant that we may walk the road to heaven; direct our way so that we do not stray and get driven from your paths.
Realism about the pilgrim road: we are prone to 'stray' (Isa 53:6). The prayer for direction echoes Ps 23:3 and 119:35. Perseverance is asked as God's gift (1 Pet 1:5; FC XI). Being 'driven' from his paths suggests external pressures — the devil and the world — not only inner weakness.
- Scripture
- Isa 53:6, Ps 23:3, Ps 119:35, Prov 3:5-6, 1 Pet 1:5, Jude 24
- Imagery & language
- Road to heaven; straying.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer for guidance; Law implied in our tendency to stray.
- Connection to previous
- Prayer for the way.
Draw us to you so that we too may inherit your heavenly bliss and dwell forever where sin and hell can no longer trouble our spirit.
'That also we' — as Christ has entered glory, so we. The inheritance (1 Pet 1:4) is given, not earned. Heaven is described by what is absent: sin and hell can no longer 'vex' the spirit — the end of temptation, accusation and struggle (Rev 12:10; 21:27).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 1:3-4, Col 1:12, Rev 12:10, Rev 21:27, Rev 22:3
- Imagery & language
- Inheritance; sin and hell silenced.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — heavenly inheritance.
- Connection to previous
- Names the destination.
Draw us to you without ceasing; take us into your kingdom; let us share your glory forever; make us your saints and joint heirs.
'Unceasingly' — the drawing is lifelong. 'Into Thy kingdom take us' — the thief's prayer (Luke 23:42). 'Joint heirs' — Rom 8:17: 'heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.' 'Thy saints' — holy not by our achievement but by his making.
- Scripture
- Luke 23:42, Rom 8:17, 2 Tim 2:12, John 17:22-24, 1 Cor 1:2
- Imagery & language
- Kingdom; joint heirs.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sharing Christ's glory.
- Connection to previous
- Concludes.
Themes
God's drawing grace Christological grace Divine attraction to Christ Human response to grace Election and calling