I do Not Come Because My Soul
I do not come because my soul
I do Not Come Because My Soul is a hymn text by Ernst Behm (1858) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by composite translation. Found in tlh 379. Sung to WERDE MUNTER.
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran theology's emphasis on justification by faith alone, presenting the believer's inability to merit God's favor and complete dependence on Christ's redemptive work. It articulates the tension between the Law's exposure of human sinfulness and the Gospel's provision of grace through faith.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Ernst Behm in 1858, this hymn entered English-language Lutheran hymnody through various 19th-century translations. It appeared in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 379.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 379
Translation
Bulletin Note
Ernst Behm's 1858 hymn crystallizes Lutheran justification theology through a radical confession: the believer brings nothing—no merit, no righteousness—only Christ's substitutionary work saves. A hymn for penitence and baptismal faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Law-Gospel movement: it exposes the soul's bankruptcy before God, then pivots decisively to announce that Christ's atonement alone is our redemption and peace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law and Gospel: The soul's radical unworthiness (stanzas 1-2) gives way to Christ's redemptive power (stanzas 3-4). The hymn moves from honest confession of sin to confident reception of grace.
Overview
A little-known American hymn that is a near-perfect lyric commentary on Romans 7 and the simul iustus et peccator. I don't come because I am pure or have kept the law (st. 1); sin reigns in every thought, and even when I try to be upright, 'I am a sinner still' (st. 2); the powers within rise against my love for God and pull me back to sin (st. 3); a lifetime of good could never atone — 'But though my sins are black as night, / I dare to come… / Because I trust Thy Son' (st. 4); in him alone I come boldly to the throne of grace: 'all unworthy, I am Thine, / For Jesus died for me' (st. 5).
Central theme: The Christian as simultaneously sinner and righteous: coming to God not because of improvement but solely because of trust in Christ
Structure
Five six-line stanzas (8.8.6.8.8.6). Not because worthy (1) — still a sinner (2) — the inner war (3) — no atonement by works; trust in the Son (4) — boldly to the throne (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'sin and guilt combine'; 'I am a sinner still'; 'I never could atone' (1-4). Gospel: 'Because I trust Thy Son'; 'Salvation sure… For Jesus died for me' (4-5).
Confessional Connections
Rom 7:19-25 (TLH's text): 'I do not do the good I want… Wretched man that I am!… Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.' This is FC's reading: Paul describes the regenerate, in whom the flesh still wars against the spirit (FC VI.7-8; Ap IV.169-171; Gal 5:17). St. 2's 'I am a sinner still' is simul iustus et peccator — the baptized remain sinners in themselves while righteous in Christ (Ap II.35-45; SA III.III.40). St. 4 excludes works: 'I never could / Atone' (Isa 64:6; AC IV). St. 5: boldness rests on Christ alone, 'all unworthy' (Heb 4:16; LC V.61-63 on coming to the Sacrament though unworthy).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Confession; Lent; Communion preparation; Reformation.
Historical Notes
Frank B. St. John published it in 1878 (biographical details uncertain; verify).
About the Tune
KOMMT HER ZU MIR (German melody, c. 1400).
Scripture References
Rom 7:19-25 Luke 18:13 Rom 3:10-12 Gal 5:17 Isa 64:6 Gal 2:16 Heb 4:16 Heb 10:19-22 1 Tim 1:15 Gal 2:20 Rom 8:1
Stanza by Stanza
I do not come because my soul is free from sin, pure, whole and worthy of your grace; I do not speak to you because I have kept your laws rightly and dare to face you.
'None is righteous, no, not one' (Rom 3:10). The publican did not claim worthiness (Luke 18:13).
- Scripture
- Rom 3:10-12, Luke 18:13
- Imagery & language
- Not free from sin; not worthy; laws not kept.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — no worthiness.
- Connection to previous
- Not because worthy.
I know that sin and guilt combine to rule every thought of mine and turn me from good to evil; I know that when I try to be upright, just and true to you, I am still a sinner.
'I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing' (Rom 7:19). Simul iustus et peccator (Ap II; SA III.III.40).
- Scripture
- Rom 7:19-21, Isa 64:6
- Imagery & language
- Sin reigns in thought; trying; sinner still.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — remaining sin.
- Connection to previous
- Sinner still.
I know that often, when I try to keep a spark of love for you alive, the powers within leap up in unruly force, often deaden my sense of right, and pull me back into sin.
'The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit' (Gal 5:17). 'Another law waging war against the law of my mind' (Rom 7:23). FC VI.7-8.
- Scripture
- Gal 5:17, Rom 7:22-23
- Imagery & language
- Spark of love; unsubmissive powers; pulled back.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the flesh at war.
- Connection to previous
- Inner war.
I know that, though I spend my life doing good, I could never atone for all I have done; but though my sins are black as night, I dare to come into your sight because I trust your Son.
'By works of the law no one will be justified' (Gal 2:16). 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1 Tim 1:15). 'Though your sins are like scarlet' (Isa 1:18).
- Scripture
- Gal 2:16, 1 Tim 1:15, Isa 1:18
- Imagery & language
- Good works cannot atone; black as night; trust Thy Son.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — works exclude; Gospel — trust in the Son.
- Connection to previous
- I trust Thy Son.
I place my trust in him alone, come boldly to your throne of grace and have fellowship with you there. Salvation, Lord, is surely mine, and, all unworthy, I am yours, for Jesus died for me.
'Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace' (Heb 4:16). 'There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Rom 8:1). 'Who loved me and gave himself for me' (Gal 2:20).
- Scripture
- Heb 4:16, Heb 10:19-22, Rom 8:1, Gal 2:20
- Imagery & language
- Trust alone; boldly; salvation sure; unworthy yet Thine.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — assurance in Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Boldly.
Themes
Justification by faith Repentance and forgiveness Grace overcoming sin The paradox of Christian struggle