Help Us O Lord Behold We Enter
Help us, O Lord, behold we enter
Help Us O Lord Behold We Enter is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 377, tlh 120. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn emphasizes the comfort found in Christ's eternal constancy (Hebrews 13:8) as a foundation for Christian trust. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the reliable source of salvation and grace throughout life's changing circumstances.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this hymn in early 17th-century Germany as an affirmation of Christ's unchanging nature. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her influential collection of German hymns.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 377
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 120
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this German hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in Christ as the unshakeable foundation amid life's turbulence, grounded in Hebrews 13:8.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Gospel proclamation of Christ's unchanging faithfulness by offering believers a sung, embodied response to the Law's exposure of our instability and anxiety.
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
Overview
Johann Rist's New Year hymn, written during the Thirty Years' War. Entering another year, we center our hopes on God and ask new life and strength (st. 1); may every plan begin with him, sleeping or waking, at home or away (st. 2). Let it be a time of grace and pardon: the singer accepts God's rod but asks not to be hardened, for 'Thou only canst my sins forgive' (st. 3); asks for a holy year (st. 4); repeats the name 'Jesus' in a chain of petitions (st. 5); and prays that the year end in peace and life end before God's throne with joy (st. 6).
Central theme: Beginning the new year with Jesus: his guidance, forgiveness, holiness and peace from start to end
Structure
Six six-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8). Entering (1) — plans (2) — grace and pardon (3) — holiness (4) — 'Jesus' litany (5) — a peaceful close (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: the rod; the danger of a hardened heart (3). Gospel: 'a time of grace and pardon'; 'Thou only canst my sins forgive' (3).
Confessional Connections
Heb 13:8 (TLH's text): 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever' — the constant in changing years. 'A time of grace and pardon' (2 Cor 6:2). 'Thou only canst my sins forgive' — forgiveness is God's alone (Mark 2:7), given through Christ (AC IV). Accepting the rod but praying not to be hardened (Heb 3:13-15; Ap XII). Holiness as grace's fruit (Titus 2:11-12).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
New Year's Day.
Historical Notes
Rist (1607-1667) wrote it in 1642. Winkworth translated it in Lyra Germanica (1863 edition).
About the Tune
ICH STERBE TÄGLICH (manuscript, Municipal Library, Leipzig, 1756).
Scripture References
Heb 13:8 Ps 90:12 Isa 40:31 Prov 16:3 Ps 139:2-3 Ps 121:8 2 Cor 6:2 Heb 12:6 Heb 3:13-15 Mark 2:7 1 Pet 1:15-16 Titus 2:11-12 Matt 6:13 Ps 4:8 2 Cor 5:10
Stanza by Stanza
Help us, Lord! Look, today we enter another year; our hopes and thoughts now center on you; renew our courage for the way. We ask you for new life, new strength, new happiness — hear and bless!
Heb 13:8 (TLH's text). 'They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength' (Isa 40:31).
- Scripture
- Heb 13:8, Isa 40:31, Lam 3:22-23
- Imagery & language
- Another year; renewed courage.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — help sought.
- Connection to previous
- Entering.
May every plan and undertaking this year be begun with you; whether I am sleeping or waking, let me know you are with me. Guide my steps when I am away; be always at my side at home.
'Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established' (Prov 16:3). 'You know when I sit down and when I rise up' (Ps 139:2-3). Going out and coming in (Ps 121:8).
- Scripture
- Prov 16:3, Ps 139:2-3, Ps 121:8
- Imagery & language
- Plans; sleeping and waking; home and abroad.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God's presence.
- Connection to previous
- Plans.
Let this be a time of grace and pardon. I accept your rod willingly, but let nothing harden my heart; let me find your mercy then! I live in you alone, my God; you alone can forgive my sins.
'Now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation' (2 Cor 6:2). The rod of discipline (Heb 12:6). 'Exhort one another… that none of you may be hardened' (Heb 3:13). 'Who can forgive sins but God alone?' (Mark 2:7).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 6:2, Heb 12:6, Heb 3:13-15, Mark 2:7, Acts 17:28
- Imagery & language
- Grace and pardon; rod; hardened heart.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the rod; Gospel — pardon.
- Connection to previous
- Grace and pardon.
May this year be holy to me; may your grace so fill my every thought that my whole life is pure, humble and truthful, as a Christian's should be. So make me godly and blessed year by year while I still live here.
'As he who called you is holy, you also be holy' (1 Pet 1:15-16). Grace 'training us to renounce ungodliness' (Titus 2:11-12) — holiness is grace's work.
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 1:15-16, Titus 2:11-12
- Imagery & language
- Holy year; pure and lowly.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace producing holiness.
- Connection to previous
- Holiness.
Jesus, be with me and direct me; Jesus, inspire my plans and hopes; Jesus, protect me from tempting thoughts; Jesus, be all my heart's desire; Jesus, be in my thoughts all day and do not let me fall away.
A litany of the Name. Protection from temptation (Matt 6:13). 'Kept by the power of God' from falling away (1 Pet 1:5; Jude 24).
- Scripture
- Matt 6:13, 1 Pet 1:5, Jude 24, Ps 73:25
- Imagery & language
- Repeated 'Jesus'; tempting thoughts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's keeping.
- Connection to previous
- Jesus.
And grant, Lord, that when the year is over it may close for me in peace; take care of me in everything and cover my head in times of fear and sorrow. So when my years are gone may I appear before your throne with joy.
'In peace I will both lie down and sleep' (Ps 4:8). 'You have covered my head in the day of battle' (Ps 140:7). Appearing before Christ's throne with joy, because of his grace (2 Cor 5:10; 1 John 4:17).
- Scripture
- Ps 4:8, Ps 140:7, 2 Cor 5:10, 1 John 4:17
- Imagery & language
- Year's close; covered head; joy before the throne.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — peace and confidence at the end.
- Connection to previous
- Peaceful close.
Themes
Christ's constancy Divine faithfulness Prayer for help Christian perseverance