Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

I Know My Faith is Founded

I know my faith is founded

I Know My Faith is Founded is a hymn text by Ewart Bertram Workman (1923) in 8.7.8.7.8.7 meter. Found in CW21 797, CW93 403, ELH 494, elw 790. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.

This hymn articulates Lutheran confidence in the certainty of salvation through Christ's redemptive work, grounding personal faith in objective scriptural promises rather than subjective religious experience. It reflects the Lutheran emphasis on the external Word as the foundation of faith (sola scriptura), consistent with Reformation teaching on assurance through Christ alone.

History & Background

Written by Ewart Bertram Workman in 1923, this modern British hymn expresses personal assurance grounded in Scripture and the promises of Christ. It gained prominence in Lutheran hymnals through the 20th century and reflects contemporary Methodist-influenced hymnody adapted for Lutheran use.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 797
  • Christian Worship — 403
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 494
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 790
  • Lutheran Service Book — 587
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 411
  • Lutheran Worship — 354
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 381

Bulletin Note

Written in 1923 by Ewart Bertram Workman, this hymn embodies classic Lutheran confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture and Christ's redemptive work, defending faith against both doubt and self-righteous works.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran antidote to law-driven despair: it proclaims assurance grounded in objective Gospel promise rather than subjective experience, making it a powerful response to any sermon on justification by faith alone.

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

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 22

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Sexagesima (2×)
  • Trinity 14 (2×)
  • Trinity 21 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 22 (3×)
  • Confession of St. Peter (1×)
  • Proper 16 (1×)
  • Proper 4 (1×)
  • Proper 6 (1×)
  • Proper 8 (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.

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 confession of faith by Erdmann Neumeister, orthodox Lutheran pastor in Hamburg, on 2 Timothy 1:12 ('I know whom I have believed'). It confesses that faith rests on Christ and his Word, not on reason's 'shifting ground' (st. 1); prays for increased faith against Satan's attempts to rob it (st. 2); and asks for steadfast trust through persecution and a blessed departure to receive the 'end of faith' (st. 3). It is an orthodox counterweight to both rationalism and feeling-based piety.

Central theme: Faith founded on Christ and his all-sufficient Word, not on human reason, kept steadfast to the end

Structure

Three twelve-line stanzas (7.8.7.8.7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6). Foundation (1) — prayer for increase (2) — steadfastness to death (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel; the threats are reason's 'subtle wisdom,' Satan, and persecution.

Confessional Connections

Sola Scriptura: God's Word is 'all-sufficient' (FC Rule and Norm). Reason cannot judge divine mysteries (FC VII.45; FC II.9). Faith is increased by the Spirit through the Word (AC V). Perseverance as gift (FC XI). 'The end of faith' — 1 Pet 1:9, salvation.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Reformation; confirmation; general; times of doubt.

Historical Notes

Neumeister (1671-1756), Hamburg pastor and opponent of Pietism and rationalism; published 1718.

About the Tune

NUN LOB, MEIN SEEL, DEN HERREN (Johann Kugelmann, Concentus novi, Augsburg, 1540).

Scripture References

2 Tim 1:12 1 Cor 3:11 1 Cor 1:18-25 Col 2:8 2 Tim 3:15-17 Luke 17:5 Mark 9:24 1 Pet 5:8 Luke 8:12 John 16:13 Rom 8:31 2 Tim 4:7-8 1 Pet 1:9

Stanza by Stanza

1 I know my faith is founded…

I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord; confessing this faith, I stand unmoved on his Word. Human reason cannot fathom God's deep truth; whoever trusts its subtle wisdom relies on shifting ground. God's Word is all-sufficient and makes us divinely sure; trusting its wisdom, my faith will rest secure.

2 Tim 1:12: 'I know whom I have believed.' The object of faith is a person, 'Jesus Christ, my God and Lord' (John 20:28), known through his Word. Reason's 'subtle wisdom' is 'shifting ground' (Matt 7:26; 1 Cor 1:20; Col 2:8). Neumeister wrote as the Enlightenment was beginning to make reason the judge of revelation. 'God's Word is all-sufficient' — sola Scriptura; it 'makes divinely sure' (2 Tim 3:15-17).

Scripture
2 Tim 1:12, John 20:28, 1 Cor 3:11, 1 Cor 1:18-25, Col 2:8, 2 Tim 3:15-17, Matt 7:24-27
Imagery & language
Foundation; shifting ground.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — faith on Christ and his Word.
Connection to previous
Foundation.
sola Scriptura faith and reason confession
2 Increase my faith, dear Savior,…

Increase my faith, dear Savior, for Satan seeks night and day to rob me of this treasure and take away my hope of bliss. But, Lord, with you beside me I will not be dismayed; led by your good Spirit I will be unafraid. Stay with me, Savior, give me firmer faith; then I will defy every evil enemy.

'Increase our faith' (Luke 17:5). Satan seeks to 'snatch away the word' (Luke 8:12; 1 Pet 5:8). Faith is a 'treasure' that must be guarded — by Christ's presence and the Spirit's leading (John 16:13). 'Abide with me' (Luke 24:29). Defiance of the foe comes from Christ's presence (Rom 8:31).

Scripture
Luke 17:5, Mark 9:24, Luke 8:12, 1 Pet 5:8, John 16:13, Luke 24:29, Rom 8:31
Imagery & language
Robber; treasure; defiance.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — prayer for stronger faith.
Connection to previous
Increase.
growth in faith spiritual warfare Holy Spirit
3 In faith, Lord, let me serve Thee;…

Let me serve you in faith, Lord; though persecution, grief and pain try to overwhelm me, let me keep a steadfast trust; and at my departure take me home to you and let me inherit there all you have promised me. In life and death keep me until I reach your heaven, where by your great mercy I attain the end of faith.

Service 'in faith' — works flowing from faith (AC VI). Steadfastness under persecution (Rev 2:10). 'Departure' — death as going home (2 Tim 4:6-8). 'Inherit' — the promised inheritance (1 Pet 1:4). 'The end of faith' — 1 Pet 1:9: 'obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls' — reached 'by Thy great mercy,' not merit.

Scripture
Rev 2:10, 2 Tim 4:6-8, 1 Pet 1:4-9, Rom 14:8
Imagery & language
Service; departure; inheritance.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — perseverance by mercy.
Connection to previous
Steadfastness.
perseverance death inheritance

Themes

Assurance of faith Confidence in God's promises Trust in Christ Personal commitment Gospel confidence

Look Further