In the Hour of Trial
In the hour of trial Jesus, plead for me
In the Hour of Trial is a hymn text by James Montgomery (1834) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in ch95 559, elw 756, h82 647, lbw 106.
The hymn emphasizes Christ's continuing intercession (Hebrews 7:25) as the basis for Christian confidence during temptation, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on Christ's work for sinners. It combines petition with trust in Christ's advocacy, expressing the consolation of the Gospel despite human weakness.
History & Background
James Montgomery composed this hymn in 1834 as a meditation on Christ's intercession during human trials. It was first published in Montgomery's hymnal and has been included in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 559
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 756
- The Hymnal 1982 — 647
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 106
- Lutheran Worship — 511
- Trinity Hymnal — 373
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 516
- United Methodist Hymnal — 496
Bulletin Note
Written by James Montgomery in 1834, this hymn draws on Hebrews 7:25 to proclaim Christ's eternal intercession. A staple of Lenten devotion, it became a hymn of spiritual armor during times of personal and public trial.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic: it names our vulnerability to temptation while proclaiming the radical comfort of Christ's continuous intercession—the heart of our justification.
Overview
James Montgomery's prayer for perseverance, built on Jesus' words to Peter: 'I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail' (Luke 22:32). It asks Christ to plead for us in trial lest we deny him, and to recall the wavering 'with a look' — the look Jesus gave Peter after his denial (st. 1); to remind us of Gethsemane and Calvary when the world tempts (st. 2); to help us cast our care on him in sorrow (st. 3); and at death to take us to eternal life (st. 4).
Central theme: Christ's intercession keeping the tempted believer from denial, and his Passion as the antidote to temptation
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (6.5.6.5 D); the CCEL text of st. 3 has only six lines (the standard text adds a couplet, commonly 'Grant that I may never / Fail Thy hand to see'). Trial (1) — temptation (2) — sorrow (3) — death (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: the danger of 'base denial,' wavering, forbidden pleasures (1-2). Gospel: Christ pleads, recalls, and takes us to eternal life (1, 4).
Confessional Connections
Christ's intercession (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25) — the source of the believer's perseverance (FC XI.45-46: God's keeping, not our strength). 'With a look recall' — Christ restores the fallen as he restored Peter (Luke 22:61; John 21:15-19); repentance after a fall is possible because of his grace (AC XII.1-2 against those who deny that the lapsed can be restored). The Passion remembered against temptation (SC Sixth Petition). 'On Thy truth relying' at death (Ps 31:5).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Holy Week; confirmation; times of temptation; funerals.
Historical Notes
Montgomery published it in 1834. CCEL's st. 3 appears to be missing its last couplet.
About the Tune
ST. MARY MAGDALENE (John B. Dykes, 1862).
Scripture References
Luke 22:31-32 Luke 22:61-62 Heb 7:25 Rom 8:34 Matt 10:33 1 John 2:15-17 Matt 4:8-10 Luke 22:39-46 Gal 6:14 1 Pet 5:7 Gen 3:19 Ps 31:5 John 11:25-26
Stanza by Stanza
In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me, so that I do not leave you by shameful denial. When you see me wavering, call me back with a look, and do not let me fall through fear or favor.
Luke 22:31-32 (TLH's text): 'Satan demanded to have you… but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.' 'The Lord turned and looked at Peter' (Luke 22:61) — the look that brought Peter to tears and repentance. Christ's intercession (Rom 8:34).
- Scripture
- Luke 22:31-32, Luke 22:61-62, Rom 8:34, Matt 10:33
- Imagery & language
- Plea; denial; recalling look.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — danger of denial; Gospel — Christ pleads and recalls.
- Connection to previous
- Trial.
If this vain world should charm me with forbidden pleasures or spread its tempting treasures to harm me, bring sad Gethsemane to my memory, or, darker still, Calvary crowned with the cross.
'Do not love the world… the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life' (1 John 2:15-16). Christ refused the world's treasures (Matt 4:8-10). The remedy is remembering his Passion — Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) and the cross (Gal 6:14).
- Scripture
- 1 John 2:15-17, Matt 4:8-10, Luke 22:39-46, Gal 6:14
- Imagery & language
- Forbidden pleasures; Gethsemane; Calvary.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the world's charm; Gospel — the Passion remembered.
- Connection to previous
- Temptation.
If your mercy should send me sorrow, toil and pain, or if pain goes with me on my path below, grant that I may always cast my care on you.
Even sorrow is sent by 'mercy' (Heb 12:6). 'Casting all your anxieties on him' (1 Pet 5:7). (The standard text has two more lines here, missing from CCEL.)
- Scripture
- Heb 12:6, 1 Pet 5:7, Ps 55:22
- Imagery & language
- Mercy-sent sorrow; casting care.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — care cast on Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Sorrow.
When my last hour comes, full of struggle and pain, when my dust returns to the dust again, relying on your truth through that mortal struggle, Jesus, take me as I die to eternal life.
'You are dust, and to dust you shall return' (Gen 3:19). 'Into your hand I commit my spirit… O LORD, faithful God' (Ps 31:5). 'Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live' (John 11:25).
- Scripture
- Gen 3:19, Ps 31:5, John 11:25-26
- Imagery & language
- Last hour; dust; eternal life.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — taken to life.
- Connection to previous
- Death.
Themes
Temptation and perseverance Intercessory prayer of Christ Spiritual warfare Grace and strength