Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee

Farewell I gladly bid thee

Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 298, tlh 407.

The hymn expresses confident Lutheran faith in Christ's promises regarding eternal life and the communion of saints, reflecting comfort in mortality through resurrection hope. It embodies the Lutheran emphasis on justification by faith and the certainty of salvation through Christ's name written in the Book of Life.

History & Background

Martin Behm's German hymn 'Herzlich taut mich Verlangen' was published in 1602 and became a significant Lutheran funeral hymn. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in 1869 and became standard in English Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 298
The Lutheran Hymnal — 407

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1602, this German funeral hymn reflects deep Lutheran confidence in justification by faith and the resurrection hope. Its tune, Herzlich taut mich verlangen, carries both lament and triumph.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms grief into gospel proclamation: the Law of death meets the Gospel of Christ's risen promise, assuring believers that separation on earth cannot break the bond secured by grace and written in heaven's register.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Of Justification Augsburg Confession

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

Valerius Herberger wrote this in 1613 during a plague at Fraustadt, Poland, that killed a large part of his congregation. The German stanzas are said to form an acrostic on his name (verify). Farewell, false world; I long for heaven (st. 1); lead me, shorten my sorrow, give the crown of life (st. 2); in darkness your name and cross shine like stars — Christ on Calvary, shedding his blood for me (st. 3); hide my soul in your wounded side (st. 4); write my name in the Book of Life (st. 5). Its tune by Melchior Teschner is now best known as 'All Glory, Laud, and Honor.'

Central theme: Farewell to the world and longing for heaven, sustained by the image of Christ crucified and the name written in the Book of Life

Structure

Five eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6 D). Farewell (1) — guidance (2) — the cross as stars (3) — the wounded side (4) — Book of Life (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'False, evil world… vain and sinful'; darkness, trial, cross (1-3). Gospel: 'The Christ on Calvary… shed His blood for me'; 'Thy wounded side'; 'Book of Life' (3-5).

Confessional Connections

Rev 3:5 (TLH's text): 'I will never blot his name out of the book of life.' St. 3's 'O heart, this image cherish: / The Christ on Calvary… shed His blood for me!' — the dying Christian clings to Christ crucified (1 Cor 2:2), the heart of Lutheran deathbed piety (cf. Herberger's own Herzpostille). St. 5: the Book of Life — assurance of election sought in Christ (FC XI.13, 65-70). 'Who served their God… rewarded' (st. 1) — rewards of grace, not merit (Ap IV.194ff). Farewell to the 'false, evil world' is not contempt for creation but for the sinful world-order (1 John 2:15-17).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Funerals; times of plague or disaster; Last Sundays; Palm Sunday (tune).

Historical Notes

Herberger (1562-1627), pastor at Fraustadt (Wschowa), wrote it in 1613 amid plague; Teschner, his cantor, composed the tune the same year.

About the Tune

VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN (Melchior Teschner, 1613).

Scripture References

Rev 3:5 1 John 2:15-17 Phil 1:23 Ps 73:24 Rev 2:10 1 Cor 2:2 Gal 6:14 John 19:34 Ps 91:1-4 Phil 4:3 Luke 10:20 Rev 21:27

Stanza by Stanza

1 Farewell I gladly bid thee,…

I gladly say farewell to you, false and evil world, farewell. Your life is empty and sinful; I would not live with you. I long to be in heaven, in that untroubled place where those who served their God here will be rewarded.

'Do not love the world… the world is passing away' (1 John 2:15-17). 'My desire is to depart and be with Christ' (Phil 1:23). Rewards of grace (Matt 25:21).

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, Phil 1:23, Matt 25:21
Imagery & language: Farewell; false world; heaven; rewarded.
Law / Gospel: Law — the world; Gospel — heaven.
Connection to previous: Farewell.

world longing for heaven death

2 By Thy good counsel lead me,…

Lead me by your good counsel, Son of God, my support; in every bewildering trial help me, Lord, I pray. Shorten my hour of sorrow, support my fainting heart, deliver me from every cross, give me the crown of life.

'You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory' (Ps 73:24). 'The crown of life' (Rev 2:10).

Scripture: Ps 73:24, Rev 2:10, Isa 40:29
Imagery & language: Counsel; trial; sorrow shortened; crown of life.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — guidance and crown.
Connection to previous: Lead me.

guidance affliction heaven

3 When darkness round me gathers,…

When darkness gathers around me, your name and cross, still bright, sparkle deep in my heart like stars in the blackest night. My heart, cherish this image: Christ on Calvary, how patiently he suffered and shed his blood for me!

'I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified' (1 Cor 2:2). 'Far be it from me to boast except in the cross' (Gal 6:14).

Scripture: 1 Cor 2:2, Gal 6:14, 1 Pet 2:23-24
Imagery & language: Darkness; name and cross like stars; Calvary.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ crucified for me.
Connection to previous: Stars in the night.

theology of the cross comfort pro me

4 Lord, hide my soul securely…

Lord, hide my soul securely deep in your wounded side; shield me from every danger and guide me to your glory. Truly blessed is the one who reaches heaven above; whoever rests on your love has found perfect healing.

The pierced side (John 19:34). 'He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High' (Ps 91:1-4). 'By his wounds we are healed' (Isa 53:5).

Scripture: John 19:34, Ps 91:1-4, Isa 53:5
Imagery & language: Wounded side; shield; healing; rest on love.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — refuge in the wounds.
Connection to previous: Wounded side.

wounds of Christ refuge heaven

5 Lord, write my name, I pray Thee,…

Lord, I pray, write my name now in the Book of Life and take me with all true believers to where joys abound. There let me bloom and flourish, prove your perfect freedom, and tell, as I adore you, how faithful your love was.

'Rejoice that your names are written in heaven' (Luke 10:20). 'Whose names are in the book of life' (Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 21:27).

Scripture: Luke 10:20, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5, Rev 21:27
Imagery & language: Book of Life; true believers; bloom; faithful love.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — election and heaven.
Connection to previous: Book of Life.

election heaven assurance

Themes

Death and dying Trust in Christ Eternal life Separation from worldly cares Heavenly hope

Look Further

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