In God, My Faithful God

In God, my faithful God, I trust

In God, My Faithful God is a hymn text by Balthasar Behm (1602) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Henry J. Vogel. Found in CW93 438, ELH 467, elw 746, lsb 745.

This hymn reflects core Lutheran theology emphasizing justification by faith and the believer's confidence in God's mercy despite human weakness and sin. It articulates the comfort of the Gospel through meditation on God's steadfast character and protective care.

History & Background

Written by Balthasar Behm in 1602, this German hymn was published in early 17th-century Lutheran hymnals. Henry J. Vogel provided the English translation in 1931, making it accessible to English-speaking Lutheran congregations.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship — 438
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 467
Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 746
Lutheran Service Book — 745
Lutheran Worship — 421
The Lutheran Hymnal — 526
Voices Together — 84

Translation

Henry J. Vogel

Bulletin Note

Composed by Balthasar Behm in 1602, this hymn shaped Lutheran piety through centuries of trial, offering medieval reassurance rooted in justification by faith alone—a confession that God's character, not our works, secures our peace.

Preaching Connection

This hymn powerfully illustrates the Law-Gospel movement: it diagnoses human vulnerability and worry, then proclaims the liberating assurance of God's steadfast mercy in Christ—a pattern that both amplifies and resolves the tension of God's dual Word.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Of Justification Augsburg Confession

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

'Auf meinen lieben Gott', first printed anonymously in 766 Geistliche Psalmen (Nürnberg, 1607). Credited to Sigismund Weingärtner only by association (a 1611 hymnal names him for a different hymn); almost nothing known of him. The tune comes from Jacob Regnart's secular song 'Venus du und dein Kind' (1574), about Venus and Cupid; paired with this text from 1609. Bach closed cantatas BWV 148 and BWV 188 with it. Source: Wikipedia 'Auf meinen lieben Gott'.

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Trinity 8; Proper 25

Suggested in the one-year series

Trinity 8 (7×)
Trinity 21 (2×)
Lent 2 (1×)
Lent 3 (1×)
Trinity 15 (1×)
Trinity 17 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Proper 25 (3×)
Proper 28 (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 short hymn of trust ascribed to Sigismund Weingärtner, of whom almost nothing is known. It trusts God on a dark road, since his love sends trials and ends them when best (st. 1); refuses despair under the assault of sins, building on Christ the Rock (st. 2); sees death as gain because Christ is life (st. 3); recalls Christ's loving death to make us heirs (st. 4); and answers 'So be it' with joyful praise (st. 5). Its simple meter and directness made it a household hymn.

Central theme: Trust in the faithful God through trial, sin's accusation and death, built on Christ the Rock

Structure

Five six-line stanzas (6.6.7.7.7.7). Trials (1) — sins (2) — death (3) — Christ's love (4) — Amen (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'My sins assail me sore' (2). Gospel: 'I build on Christ, who loves me'; Christ died to make us heirs (2, 4).

Confessional Connections

Faith against the accusation of sin — the terrified conscience finds rest in Christ (Ap IV, XII). Christ the Rock (Matt 16:18). 'Death is gain' (Phil 1:21). Heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7). 'So be it' — Amen, the certainty of faith (SC, Lord's Prayer conclusion).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

General; funerals; times of trial; household devotion.

Historical Notes

Attributed to Sigismund Weingärtner (early 17th c.); the tune is from Regnart's Deutsche Lieder (Nürnberg, 1574).

About the Tune

AUF MEINEN LIEBEN GOTT (Jakob Regnart, 1574).

Scripture References

Ps 7:1 Ps 23:4 Heb 12:6 1 Cor 10:13 Ps 38:4 Rom 8:1, 33-34 Matt 7:24-25 1 Cor 10:4 Phil 1:21 Col 3:4 Rom 8:38-39 Matt 11:29 Rom 5:8 Rom 8:17 Titus 3:7 2 Cor 1:20

Stanza by Stanza

1 In God, my faithful God,…

In God, my faithful God, I trust when my road is dark; though many sorrows overtake me, he will not forsake me. It is his love that sends them, and when it is best he will end them.

Ps 7:1 (TLH's text): 'O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge.' The dark road (Ps 23:4). 'His love it is doth send them' — the cross comes from a loving Father (Heb 12:6). 'When 'tis best, will end them' (1 Cor 10:13).

Scripture: Ps 7:1, Ps 23:4, Heb 12:6, 1 Cor 10:13
Imagery & language: Dark road; love sends woes.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — trials from love.
Connection to previous: Trials.

providence cross trust

2 My sins assail me sore,…

My sins attack me hard, but I no longer despair. I build on Christ, who loves me; nothing moves me from this Rock. I surrender everything to him, my soul's defender.

The deepest assault: 'My sins assail me sore' — the accusing conscience (Ps 38:4). The answer: 'I build on Christ, who loves me' (Gal 2:20), the Rock (Matt 7:24-25; 1 Cor 10:4). This is the Lutheran consolation of the terrified conscience — not denial of sin but flight to Christ (Rom 8:33-34).

Scripture: Ps 38:4, Gal 2:20, Matt 7:24-25, 1 Cor 10:4, Rom 8:1, 33-34
Imagery & language: Assaulting sins; Rock.
Law / Gospel: Law — accusing sins; Gospel — Christ the Rock.
Connection to previous: Sins.

terrified conscience assurance Christ the Rock

3 If death my portion be,…

If death is my portion, then death is gain to me and Christ my life forever, from whom death cannot separate me. Come when it may, he will shield me; I yield myself wholly to him.

Phil 1:21: 'to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Col 3:4: 'Christ who is your life.' Rom 8:38-39: death cannot separate.

Scripture: Phil 1:21, Col 3:4, Rom 8:38-39, Ps 91:4
Imagery & language: Death as gain.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ our life beyond death.
Connection to previous: Death.

death union with Christ

4 O Jesus Christ, my Lord,…

Jesus Christ, my Lord, so gentle in deed and word, you once died to save us, because your love wanted us to be heirs of heavenly gladness when this sad life ends.

Christ 'meek' (Matt 11:29). 'Thou once didst die to save us' — once for all (Heb 9:26). 'Because Thy love would have us be heirs' — the motive is love (Rom 5:8); the result inheritance (Rom 8:17; Titus 3:7).

Scripture: Matt 11:29, Heb 9:26, Rom 5:8, Rom 8:17, Titus 3:7
Imagery & language: Meekness; heirs.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ's loving death.
Connection to previous: Christ.

atonement love of Christ inheritance

5 "So be it," then, I say…

So I say 'So be it' with all my heart each day. We too, dear Lord, adore you and sing for joy before you. Guide us while we wander here until we praise you there.

'So be it' — Amen, the word of faith's certainty (2 Cor 1:20; SC: 'Amen, amen means Yes, yes, it shall be so'). Joyful adoration. Guidance until we praise him 'yonder.'

Scripture: 2 Cor 1:20, Ps 48:14, Rev 7:9-12
Imagery & language: Amen; yonder.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Amen of faith.
Connection to previous: Amen.

Amen praise pilgrimage

Themes

Trust in God's faithfulness Deliverance from anxiety Divine protection Prayer and petition Confidence in providence

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "In God, My Faithful God" ↗