I Walk in Danger All the Way
I walk in danger all the way
I Walk in Danger All the Way is a hymn text by Johann Michael Altenburg (1620) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Henry J. Buckoll. Found in CW21 836, CW93 431, ELH 252, elw 714. Sung to MIT FREUDEN ZART.
The hymn emphasizes the reality of spiritual struggle and the Christian's dependence upon divine protection and grace amid earthly dangers and demonic opposition. It affirms Lutheran teaching on the bondage of the will, the persistence of sin, and reliance upon God's preserving grace rather than human merit.
History & Background
Originally published in German as "Ich gehe hin und her in Gefahr" in Altenburg's hymnal around 1620, reflecting the tumultuous period of the Thirty Years' War. The hymn was translated into English by Henry J. Buckoll in 1858 and has appeared in Lutheran hymnals since then.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 836
- Christian Worship — 431
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 252
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 714
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 497
- Lutheran Service Book — 716
- Lutheran Worship — 391
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 413
- Voices Together — 606
- With One Voice — 746
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Johann Michael Altenburg in 1620, this hymn reflects Luther's emphasis on the believer's constant spiritual warfare and utter dependence upon God's grace—a theology deeply rooted in Reformation conviction.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic: the Law exposes our bondage and peril; the Gospel announces that Christ's cross and risen victory are our only sure protection and peace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Ascription of praise to God's sovereign power and love, followed by personal testimony of healing and sanctification, culminating in lifelong grateful service
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Lent 1 (2×)
- St. Michael and All Angels (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 10 (2×)
- Proper 21 (2×)
- St. Michael and All Angels (2×)
- Proper 17 (1×)
- Proper 5 (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.
Overview
Hans Adolph Brorson, the Danish Pietist hymnwriter who became bishop of Ribe, wrote this in 1734. Each stanza begins and ends with a line about 'all the way,' and the hymn turns sharply halfway: three stanzas of threat — Satan's snares (st. 1), trials and the cross (st. 2), death always pursuing (st. 3) — answered by three of comfort — angels shielding (st. 4), Jesus guiding, his wounds a refuge (st. 5), and the walk heavenward (st. 6). It is a sober and beautiful picture of the Christian pilgrimage.
Central theme: The Christian's pilgrimage through danger, trial and death, accompanied by angels and by Jesus to heaven
Structure
Six eight-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.6.6.8.8), framed by refrain lines. Three threats (1-3: Satan, trials, death) — three comforts (4-6: angels, Jesus, heaven). The symmetry is deliberate.
Law & Gospel Shape
The first half is realism (not Law in the strict sense, but the condition of life under sin and the devil). The second half is Gospel: angels' protection, Christ's wounds and guidance, heavenly release from sin and sorrow.
Confessional Connections
The Christian life as warfare against devil, world and flesh (Sixth Petition). Cross-bearing as the Christian's lot (AC XXVI.31; Luther's marks of the Church). Angels' protection (SC Morning and Evening Prayers). Refuge in Christ's wounds (st. 5). Release from sin at death (st. 6).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
General; times of danger; St. Michael and All Angels (st. 4); funerals; Trinity season.
Historical Notes
Brorson (1694-1764), Danish Pietist hymnwriter and bishop. Ristad (1863-1938) was a Norwegian-American pastor.
About the Tune
DER LIEBEN SONNE LICHT UND PRACHT (Halle, 1704).
Scripture References
1 Pet 5:8 Eph 6:11 Matt 26:41 Acts 14:22 Matt 16:24 2 Cor 4:8 Heb 9:27 Ps 39:4-5 Jas 4:14 Ps 91:11-12 Heb 1:14 Ps 34:7 2 Kgs 6:16-17 Matt 28:20 Isa 53:5 John 10:27 Phil 3:13-14 Heb 11:13-16 Rev 21:4
Stanza by Stanza
I walk in danger all the way. The thought never leaves me that Satan, who has marked me as his prey, is plotting to deceive me. This enemy with hidden snares may catch me unaware if I ever fail to watch and pray. I walk in danger all the way.
1 Pet 5:8: 'your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.' 'Hidden snares' — deception is Satan's method (Eph 6:11; 2 Cor 2:11). The remedy: 'watch and pray' (Matt 26:41). Lutheran realism about the devil, without panic.
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 5:8, Eph 6:11, 2 Cor 2:11, Matt 26:41
- Imagery & language
- Prey; snares; watching.
- Law / Gospel
- Realism — the devil's threat.
- Connection to previous
- Threat 1: Satan.
I pass through trials all the way, struggling with sin and troubles; I must patiently bear each day the cross God sends. Often in adversity I do not know where to flee; when storms of sorrow dismay my soul, I pass through trials all the way.
Acts 14:22: 'through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom.' 'The cross of God's own sending' — the cross is permitted and used by God (Matt 16:24; Heb 12:6). 'Oft… I know not where to flee' — honest perplexity (2 Cor 4:8).
- Scripture
- Acts 14:22, Matt 16:24, Heb 12:6, 2 Cor 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Trials; cross; storms.
- Law / Gospel
- Realism — trials and the cross.
- Connection to previous
- Threat 2: trials.
Death pursues me all the way; nowhere am I secure. He comes by night and day and surely takes his prey. One failing breath, and I may lie in death's strong grasp to face eternity forever. Death pursues me all the way.
Mortality is always near (Ps 39:4-5; Jas 4:14). 'To face eternity for aye' — Heb 9:27, judgment follows death. This stanza is a memento mori, not to frighten but to make the Christian ready.
- Scripture
- Ps 39:4-5, Jas 4:14, Heb 9:27, Ps 90:12
- Imagery & language
- Pursuit; failing breath.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — mortality and judgment.
- Connection to previous
- Threat 3: death.
I walk with angels all the way; they shield and befriend me; all Satan's power is held back when heavenly hosts attend me; they are my sure defense — away, fear and sorrow! Unharmed by enemies, whatever they do, I walk with angels all the way.
The turn: 'I walk with angels.' Ps 91:11-12; 34:7; Heb 1:14. Elisha's servant saw the hosts: 'those who are with us are more than those who are with them' (2 Kgs 6:16-17). Luther's prayers: 'Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.'
- Scripture
- Ps 91:11-12, Ps 34:7, Heb 1:14, 2 Kgs 6:16-17
- Imagery & language
- Angels shielding.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — angelic protection.
- Connection to previous
- Comfort 1: angels.
I walk with Jesus all the way; his guidance never fails me; I find a refuge in his wounds when Satan's power attacks me; led by his footsteps, I walk my path safely. Despite threatening ills, I walk with Jesus all the way.
Christ's presence (Matt 28:20). 'Within His wounds I find a stay when Satan's power assails me' — Christ's atoning wounds are the answer to Satan's accusations (Isa 53:5; Rev 12:10-11). 'By His footsteps led' (John 10:27; 1 Pet 2:21).
- Scripture
- Matt 28:20, Isa 53:5, Rev 12:10-11, John 10:27, 1 Pet 2:21
- Imagery & language
- Wounds as refuge; footsteps.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's presence and wounds.
- Connection to previous
- Comfort 2: Jesus.
My walk is heavenward all the way; await, my soul, the morrow, when you will be released forever from all your sin and sorrow. Away, all worldly pomp! I now press on to heaven; I would not stay for all the world; my walk is heavenward all the way.
The goal answers the threats: release 'from all thy sin and sorrow' (Rev 21:4). 'To heaven I now press on' (Phil 3:13-14). The pilgrim seeks 'a better country' (Heb 11:13-16).
- Scripture
- Phil 3:13-14, Heb 11:13-16, Rev 21:4, 2 Cor 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Heavenward; morrow; pressing on.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — heavenly goal.
- Connection to previous
- Comfort 3: heaven.
Themes
Spiritual warfare Christian vigilance Protection in Christ Perseverance of faith Divine grace