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God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It

God's own child, I gladly say it

God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It is a hymn text by Erdmann Neumeister (1714) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Robert E. Voelker. Found in CW21 679, CWS 737, ELH 246, acs 1009.

This hymn exemplifies Lutheran teaching on Baptism as God's covenantal act that establishes the believer's identity as God's child and grounds daily Christian living in baptismal grace. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of sanctification as a lifelong process of dying to sin and rising to new life, rooted in the objective reality of baptismal incorporation into Christ.

History & Background

Written by Erdmann Neumeister in early 18th-century Germany as a Baptism hymn emphasizing the believer's identity in Christ and daily renewal through baptismal grace. First published in German Lutheran hymnals and translated into English by Robert E. Voelker for the Lutheran Service Book (2006).

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 679
  • Christian Worship: Supplement — 737
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 246
  • All Creation Sings — 1009
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 594
  • Hymnal Supplement 98 — 844
  • Lutheran Service Book — 594

Translation

Robert E. Voelker

Bulletin Note

Erdmann Neumeister (1671–1756), Lutheran pastor and prolific hymn poet, wrote this hymn in 1714 to instruct believers in the everyday practice of baptismal living—repentance and faith renewed each morning.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the doctrine of Baptism into lived faith: it announces the Gospel of our adoption in Christ, then challenges us to mortify the old self daily—embodying the Law-Gospel movement that drives all Christian discipleship.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Lent 3 (4×)
  • Baptism of Our Lord (3×)
  • Trinity 16 (2×)
  • Trinity 24 (2×)
  • Advent 4 (1×)
  • All Saints (1×)
  • Lent 1 (1×)
  • Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (1×)
  • Pentecost (1×)
  • Trinity 3 (1×)
  • Trinity 6 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Baptism of Our Lord (5×)
  • Proper 7 (3×)
  • All Saints (2×)
  • Lent 1 (2×)
  • Proper 22 (2×)
  • Circumcision and Name of Jesus (1×)
  • Easter 3 (1×)
  • Epiphany (1×)
  • Epiphany 1 (1×)
  • Epiphany 3 (1×)
  • Proper 10 (1×)
  • Proper 4 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Baptism Justification by faith Assurance of salvation New life in Christ Daily dying and rising

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