In His Temple Now Behold Him
In his temple now behold him
The hymn celebrates the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, emphasizing Christ's obedience to the Law and his self-offering as the redemptive sacrifice. It reflects Lutheran understanding of Christ fulfilling both the ceremonial law and the Old Testament sacrificial system, prefiguring his ultimate redemptive work.
History & Background
This Dutch hymn was originally titled 'In zijn tempel nu aanschouwet' and appeared in the 1869 Dutch hymnal. The English translation, compiled from various sources, was first widely distributed in Lutheran hymnals beginning in the 1871 edition.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 417
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 184
- Lutheran Service Book — 519
- Lutheran Worship — 186
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 139
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Dutch hymnodist Hendrik Nicodemus Bouwman in 1869, this hymn captures the Presentation through Lutheran eyes: Christ fulfills Mosaic law and prefigures his redemptive sacrifice, transforming ceremony into gospel.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel movement: Christ's obedience to the law culminates not in condemnation but in his sacrificial self-offering, where the requirement becomes grace and the shadow becomes substance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological anticipation (St. 1-2) → Incarnational paradox (St. 3) → Pneumatological reign (St. 4)
Themes
Presentation of Jesus Redemption Obedience of Christ Temple worship Simeon and Anna