For Thee O Dear Dear Country
For thee O dear dear country
For Thee O Dear Dear Country is a hymn text by Bernard of Cluny (1140) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by John Mason Neale. Found in h82 624, lw 331, th 576, tlh 614. Sung to MARYTON.
This hymn expresses Lutheran eschatology and the tension between present suffering and future glory, emphasizing the Christian's citizenship in heaven and the consolation of eternal life. It reflects the doctrine of justification by faith, wherein believers are declared citizens of the heavenly country through Christ's redemption.
History & Background
Bernard of Cluny composed this from his longer Latin poem 'De Contemptu Mundi' in the 12th century. John Mason Neale translated it into English in 1858, creating one of the most beloved hymns of heavenly longing in English hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 624
- Lutheran Worship — 331
- Trinity Hymnal — 576
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 614
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Bernard of Cluny in 1140, this medieval Latin hymn captures the monastic longing for God while affirming Christian assurance of eternal home. A Reformation favorite, it celebrates our justification and heavenly citizenship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel tension perfectly: the Law shows us our exile and yearning; the Gospel reveals we are already citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem through Christ's grace alone.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
From Bernard of Cluny's long satirical poem De contemptu mundi, in Neale's translation; it is a sister cento to 'Jerusalem the Golden.' My eyes keep watch and weep for love of the heavenly country, whose name is healing and rest (st. 1). The one mansion, Paradise, has no tears; 'The Lamb is all thy splendor, / The Crucified thy praise' (st. 2). Its walls glow with jasper and amethyst, and 'The cornerstone is Christ' (st. 3). It is an ocean without shore and a day without time, built on the Rock of Ages (st. 4). Home of God's elect: Jesus, bring us there; doxology (st. 5).
Central theme: Longing for the heavenly country whose whole glory is the crucified Lamb
Structure
Five eight-line 7.6.7.6 D stanzas. Longing (1); the Lamb's city (2); jeweled walls on Christ the cornerstone (3); timeless and boundless (4); prayer and doxology (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: 'The Lamb is all thy splendor, / The Crucified thy praise'; 'The cornerstone is Christ'; 'Jesus, in mercy bring us.' Law is only implicit in 'tears' and 'pilgrims far away.'
Confessional Connections
Heb 11:16 (TLH's text): 'They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.' St. 2 keeps heaven centered on Christ's cross: 'The Lamb is all thy splendor, / The Crucified thy praise' (Rev 5:9-12; Rev 21:23). The glory of heaven is the glory of the atonement. St. 3: 'The saints build up thy fabric, / The cornerstone is Christ' (Eph 2:20-22; 1 Pet 2:5). The Church is built on Christ alone (Tr 25-29 on Matt 16:18: the rock is the confession of Christ). St. 5: 'home of God's elect' and 'Jesus, in mercy bring us' make election a comfort received in mercy (FC XI). The poem's medieval 'contempt of the world' is balanced in Lutheran use by honoring vocation (AC XVI) while still longing for heaven.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
All Saints; Last Sundays of the Church Year; funerals.
Historical Notes
Bernard (fl. 1140), monk of Cluny, wrote De contemptu mundi (c. 3,000 lines). Neale translated portions in 1849 and expanded them in 1858; several English centos come from it.
About the Tune
BONA PATRIA (Sacred Hymns and Tunes, Bristol, 1876; as named in TLH).
Scripture References
Heb 11:16 Heb 13:14 Ps 84:1-2 Ps 119:136 John 14:2 Luke 23:43 Rev 21:4 Rev 21:23 Rev 5:9-12 Rev 21:18-20 Eph 2:20-22 1 Pet 2:4-6 Rev 22:1 Rev 22:5 1 Cor 10:4 Rev 2:10 Matt 24:31 Heb 4:9
Stanza by Stanza
For you, dear, dear country, my eyes keep watch; out of pure love they weep when they see your happy name. The mention of your glory is ointment to the heart, medicine in sickness, and love and life and rest.
'They desire a better country' (Heb 11:16). 'My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD' (Ps 84:2). 'Here we have no lasting city' (Heb 13:14).
- Scripture
- Heb 11:16, Heb 13:14, Ps 84:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Dear country; vigils; weeping for love; unction; medicine; rest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: heaven's name heals.
- Connection to previous
- Dear country.
One and only mansion, Paradise of joy, where tears are banished forever and smiles are pure! The Lamb is all your splendor, the Crucified is your praise; your ransomed people raise his praise and blessing.
'In my Father's house are many rooms' (John 14:2). 'He will wipe away every tear' (Rev 21:4). 'Its lamp is the Lamb' (Rev 21:23). 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain' (Rev 5:12).
- Scripture
- John 14:2, Luke 23:43, Rev 21:4, Rev 21:23, Rev 5:9-12
- Imagery & language
- Only mansion; Paradise; tears banished; the Lamb; the Crucified; ransomed praise.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the crucified Lamb is heaven's glory.
- Connection to previous
- The Lamb's splendor.
Your walls glow with jasper and your streets blaze with emeralds; sardius and topaz join their rays in you; your ageless walls are bonded with priceless amethyst. The saints build up your structure, and Christ is the cornerstone.
'The wall was built of jasper… adorned with every kind of jewel' (Rev 21:18-20). 'Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone' (Eph 2:20). 'Like living stones… being built up' (1 Pet 2:5).
- Scripture
- Rev 21:18-20, Eph 2:20-22, 1 Pet 2:4-6
- Imagery & language
- Jasper; emeralds; sardius; topaz; amethyst; saints; cornerstone Christ.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the Church built on Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Cornerstone.
You are a beautiful ocean with no shore, a bright day with no time, a dear fountain of refreshment for pilgrims far away! They raise your holy tower on the Rock of Ages; the victor's laurel is yours, and the golden dowry is yours.
'The river of the water of life' (Rev 22:1). 'Night will be no more' (Rev 22:5). 'The Rock was Christ' (1 Cor 10:4). 'I will give you the crown of life' (Rev 2:10).
- Scripture
- Rev 22:1, Rev 22:5, 1 Cor 10:4, Rev 2:10
- Imagery & language
- Shoreless ocean; timeless day; fountain; Rock of Ages; laurel; dower.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: endless refreshment.
- Connection to previous
- No shore, no time.
Sweet and blessed country, home of God's chosen! Sweet and blessed country that eager hearts are waiting for! Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest, you who are forever blessed with God the Father and the Spirit.
'He will… gather his elect' (Matt 24:31). 'There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God' (Heb 4:9). FC XI.
- Scripture
- Matt 24:31, Heb 4:9, Rom 8:23
- Imagery & language
- Home of the elect; eager hearts; mercy; land of rest; Trinity.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: brought home in mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Bring us home.
Themes
heavenly city eternal life longing for God eschatology pilgrimage