I Fall Asleep in Jesus' Wounds

I fall asleep in Jesus' wounds

I Fall Asleep in Jesus' Wounds is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. meter. Translated by August Crull. Found in CW93 608, ELH 530, lw 259, tlh 585.

The hymn expresses the Lutheran comfort that salvation rests entirely in Christ's completed work, not human merit, reflecting the doctrine of justification by faith alone. It embodies the peace that comes from confidence in Christ's redemptive sacrifice and the assurance of eternal rest in Him.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this hymn in early 17th-century Germany as a meditation on finding rest and salvation in Christ's atoning work. The text was translated into English by August Crull and appeared in Lutheran hymnals throughout the 20th century.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship — 608
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 530
Lutheran Worship — 259
The Lutheran Hymnal — 585

Translation

August Crull

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn emerges from Lutheran piety's rich tradition of finding comfort in Christ's suffering, expressing justification by faith as the rest the conscience craves.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the terrifying reality of Christ's wounds—the cost of redemption—into the believer's place of safest refuge, embodying the Gospel's power to turn the Law's accusation into joyful assurance.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

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

A two-stanza deathbed prayer ascribed to Paul Eber, Melanchthon's colleague at Wittenberg. I fall asleep in Jesus' wounds, where pardon abounds. His blood and righteousness are my jewels and my glorious dress, and in them I will stand before God (st. 1). Like Simeon, I depart in peace and joy as God's child. Death leads me to true life; cleansed by Christ, I do not fear it. 'Lord Jesus, strengthen Thou my faith' (st. 2).

Central theme: Dying in Christ's wounds, robed in his blood and righteousness, departing in peace like Simeon

Structure

Two six-line long-meter stanzas (8.8.8.8.8.8). Sleeping in the wounds and robed in righteousness (1); Nunc dimittis departure (2).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law implied: 'my sins'; death (1-2). Gospel: 'pardon… abounds'; 'Jesus' blood and righteousness / My jewels are'; 'God's child I am'; 'cleansed by Christ' (1-2).

Confessional Connections

Luke 2:29 (TLH's text): the Nunc dimittis, sung after the Lord's Supper in the Lutheran liturgy, so the believer's death is set beside receiving Christ's body and blood. St. 1: 'Jesus' blood and righteousness / My jewels are, my glorious dress' is the alien righteousness of Christ imputed to faith (Isa 61:10; Phil 3:9; AC IV; FC III: 'the righteousness of faith… is the forgiveness of sins… for the sake of Christ's obedience'). Zinzendorf's later 'Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit' (TLH 371) borrows this very line (verify). St. 2: 'God's child I am' points to Baptism (Gal 3:26-27). 'I thank thee, Death' treats death as a defeated servant that leads the believer home (1 Cor 15:55). The closing petition, 'strengthen Thou my faith', fits the Lutheran ars moriendi: faith clings to Christ to the last breath.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Funerals; burial; deathbed; Presentation of the Lord (Nunc dimittis); after Communion.

Historical Notes

Eber (1511-1569), professor and town pastor at Wittenberg and Melanchthon's close associate. TLH marks the attribution 'asc.' (ascribed). The German st. 1 circulated as a deathbed prayer; Winkworth published her translation in Christian Singers of Germany (1869).

About the Tune

VATER UNSER IM HIMMELREICH (Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539).

Scripture References

Luke 2:29-32 Isa 53:5 1 Pet 2:24 Isa 61:10 Rev 7:14 Phil 3:9 Rom 5:1-2 Jude 24 Gal 3:26 Phil 1:21-23 1 Cor 15:55-57 1 John 1:7 Mark 9:24 Luke 17:5

Stanza by Stanza

1 I fall asleep in Jesus' wounds,…

I fall asleep in Jesus' wounds, where forgiveness for my sins overflows. Yes, Jesus' blood and righteousness are my jewels and my glorious clothing; in these I will stand before my God when I reach the heavenly land.

'With his wounds we are healed' (Isa 53:5). 'He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness… as a bride adorns herself with her jewels' (Isa 61:10). 'Not having a righteousness of my own… but that which comes through faith in Christ' (Phil 3:9). 'Present you blameless before the presence of his glory' (Jude 24). AC IV; FC III.

Scripture: Isa 53:5, 1 Pet 2:24, Isa 61:10, Rev 7:14, Phil 3:9, Jude 24
Imagery & language: Asleep in the wounds; pardon; blood and righteousness; jewels; glorious dress; standing before God.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: imputed righteousness.
Connection to previous: Blood and righteousness.

justification death atonement

2 With peace and joy I now depart;…

I now depart in peace and joy; I am God's child with all my heart. I thank you, Death, for leading me to the true life where I want to be. Cleansed by Christ in this way, I do not fear death. Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith.

'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace' (Luke 2:29). 'In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith' (Gal 3:26). 'To depart and be with Christ… is far better' (Phil 1:23). 'O death, where is your sting?' (1 Cor 15:55). 'Increase our faith!' (Luke 17:5).

Scripture: Luke 2:29-32, Gal 3:26, Phil 1:21-23, 1 Cor 15:55-57, 1 John 1:7, Luke 17:5
Imagery & language: Peace and joy; God's child; thanks to Death; true life; cleansed; strengthen faith.
Law / Gospel: Gospel: death defeated.
Connection to previous: Depart in peace.

death Nunc dimittis faith Baptism

Themes

Comfort in Christ Redemption through Christ's suffering Peace in death Trust in salvation

Look Further

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