I Pray Thee Dear Lord Jesus

I pray thee, dear Lord Jesus, take all our sins away

I Pray Thee Dear Lord Jesus is a hymn text by Anon., Martin Luther (attributed) (1540) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in CW93 510, ELH 178, lw 476, tlh 655.

The hymn embodies the Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith through Christ's atoning work, emphasizing the believer's prayer for forgiveness grounded in Christ's sacrifice. It reflects the centrality of Christ's redemptive work and the believer's dependence on grace rather than works.

History & Background

This hymn is based on a German chorale tradition, appearing in various Lutheran hymnals with texts possibly originating in the 16th-17th century German reform movement. It was adapted into English for use in American Lutheran hymnodies, particularly TLH and subsequent collections.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship — 510
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 178
Lutheran Worship — 476
The Lutheran Hymnal — 655

Translation

composite English translation

Bulletin Note

Attributed to Martin Luther (1540), this hymn transforms personal confession into congregational prayer, anchoring Reformation theology of grace in the believer's daily encounter with Christ's mercy at the cross.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel dialectic: the Law exposes our desperate need, and the Gospel answers with Christ's finished work—a perfect complement to proclamation of justification by faith alone.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
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 single stanza from a hymn by Thomas Kingo, the great Danish Lutheran hymn writer and Bishop of Odense, translated by Norman Madson of the Norwegian Synod (later ELS). It is a prayer of youth and lifelong faith: that Jesus keep and train the heart so it may remain his temple from youth to old age, turn the mind from worldly wisdom, and teach it to know him — 'If I but learn to know Thee, I shall not want for more.' It was a favorite closing prayer for Christian day schools.

Central theme: Prayer to remain Christ's temple for life and to know him, which is enough

Structure

One eight-line stanza (7.6.7.6 D).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: knowing Christ is all-sufficient; 'worldly wisdom's lore' is renounced.

Confessional Connections

1 John 3:23 (TLH's text): 'that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.' The believer as the Spirit's temple (1 Cor 6:19) kept by grace from youth to age (FC XI perseverance). Knowing Christ is eternal life (John 17:3); 'I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified' (1 Cor 2:2). Not anti-learning, but refusing any wisdom that displaces Christ (Col 2:8).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Christian education; school openings and closings; confirmation; youth.

Historical Notes

Kingo (1634-1703) compiled the Danish hymnal of 1699. Madson (1886-1962) was a pastor and seminary dean in the Norwegian (later Evangelical Lutheran) Synod.

About the Tune

JEG VIL MIG HERREN LOVE (Hartnack Zinck's Koralbog, 1801).

Scripture References

1 John 3:23 1 Cor 6:19-20 Ps 71:5-6, 17-18 1 Cor 1:20-24 1 Cor 2:2 Col 2:8 John 17:3 Phil 3:8 Ps 23:1

Stanza by Stanza

1 I pray Thee, dear Lord Jesus,…

Dear Lord Jesus, I ask you to keep and train my heart so that I may remain your holy temple from youth to old age. Turn my thoughts forever from the lore of worldly wisdom; if I only learn to know you, I will want nothing more.

'Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit' (1 Cor 6:19). 'From my youth… even to old age and gray hairs' (Ps 71:17-18). 'Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?' (1 Cor 1:20). 'This is eternal life, that they know you… and Jesus Christ' (John 17:3). 'The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord' (Phil 3:8).

Scripture: 1 John 3:23, 1 Cor 6:19-20, Ps 71:17-18, 1 Cor 1:20-24, John 17:3, Phil 3:8, Ps 23:1
Imagery & language: Heart trained; temple; worldly wisdom; knowing Christ.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ all-sufficient.
Connection to previous: Knowing Christ.

youth perseverance knowledge of Christ

Themes

forgiveness of sins prayer intercession of Christ repentance grace

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "I Pray Thee Dear Lord Jesus" ↗