In Thee Alone O Christ My Lord
In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord
In Thee Alone O Christ My Lord is a hymn text by Erdmann Neumeister (1718) in 8.8.8.8 D meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in lbw 395, lsb 972, lw 357, tlh 319. Sung to JESUS LOVES ME.
This hymn expresses core Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith alone through Christ's atoning sacrifice. It emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ as the sole ground of salvation and the comfort of His propitiation for all believers.
History & Background
Written by German Lutheran pastor Erdmann Neumeister in the early 18th century as part of his poetic cantata texts. The hymn was translated into English in the 19th century and has appeared in Lutheran hymnals since then.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 395
- Lutheran Service Book — 972
- Lutheran Worship — 357
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 319
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed in 1718 by Erdmann Neumeister, a leading Lutheran poet of the Baroque era, this hymn distills the doctrine of sola fide into memorable verse—a touchstone of German Protestant devotion.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran proclamation of justification by faith alone, making it a powerful congregational response to sermons on the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and the exclusivity of His saving work.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting
Background Research
'Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ'. TLH ascribes it to Johannes Schneesing (following Wackernagel), but the 1560 Gros Kirchen Gesangbuch and today's Evangelisches Gesangbuch credit Konrad Hubert (1507-1577), Strasbourg pastor and Martin Bucer's secretary. Printed with Hubert's hymns in Strasbourg (1545); a Nuremberg print of 1540 added the doxology stanza. Bach's chorale cantata BWV 33 (Leipzig, 3 September 1724, 13th Sunday after Trinity) is built on it.
Sources: Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology; Wikipedia 'BWV 33'.
Overview
An early Reformation hymn of trust in Christ alone, ascribed to Johannes Schneesing, a Thuringian pastor, and first printed in 1541. It is solus Christus in three stanzas: in Christ alone is my hope; no human strength can help (st. 1); my sins rise against me, but through his death I ask full remission, and that he show before the Father's throne that he atoned for me — 'Thy Word I plead' (st. 2); and I ask him to stay my heart on faith's sure foundation, fill me with love for him and for all, and defend me from Satan at my end (st. 3). Bach based a cantata on it.
Central theme: Christ alone as the sinner's hope, atonement and advocate, received by faith and pleaded on the strength of his Word
Structure
Three nine-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.8.4.8, with a short 'To Thee I cry' line). Hope in Christ alone (1) — sins atoned and pleaded (2) — faith, love and a blessed end (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'My sins, O Lord, against me rise' (2); no human help (1). Gospel: 'Thy death and sacrifice… full remission'; 'Thou didst for my sins atone'; 'Thy Word I plead' (2).
Confessional Connections
Rom 3:25 (TLH's text): Christ 'whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.' Christ alone as Mediator and Advocate before the Father (AC XXI; Ap XXI.14ff — not the saints). 'Thy Word I plead' — prayer grounded in God's promise (LC III). 'Faith's most sure foundation' (1 Cor 3:11). Faith working through love toward God and neighbor (st. 3; AC VI, XX; Gal 5:6). A blessed end against Satan's wiles (SC Seventh Petition).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; confession; Trinity season; Reformation.
Historical Notes
The hymn appeared as a broadsheet in Nürnberg (1541) and in Schneesing's circle by 1542; the attribution is traditional. J. S. Bach's Cantata 33, 'Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ,' is based on it.
About the Tune
ALLEIN ZU DIR (separate print, Nürnberg, 1541).
Scripture References
Rom 3:25 Ps 62:5-8 Acts 4:12 Ps 146:3 Ps 51:3 Heb 10:12-14 1 John 2:1-2 Rom 8:34 Heb 7:25 Ps 119:49 1 Cor 3:11 Gal 5:6 1 Tim 1:5 Eph 6:11 Ps 31:5
Stanza by Stanza
In you alone, Christ my Lord, my hope on earth remains; I know you will give your help; nothing else sustains my soul. No human strength or earthly support can help me in the evil day; only you can give help. I cry to you; I tell my heart to rely on you.
'For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation' (Ps 62:1, 5). 'There is salvation in no one else' (Acts 4:12). 'Put not your trust in princes' (Ps 146:3). 'Alone' — the Reformation's solus Christus.
- Scripture
- Ps 62:5-8, Acts 4:12, Ps 146:3, Eph 6:13
- Imagery & language
- Christ alone; no earthly stay.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ the only hope.
- Connection to previous
- Christ alone.
My sins rise up against me, Lord; I mourn them with contrition. Through your death and sacrifice grant me full forgiveness. Lord, show before the Father's throne that you atoned for my sins; then I will be freed from my burden. I plead your Word; keep me, Lord, in every hour of need.
Contrition (Ps 51:3) and faith in Christ's sacrifice (Heb 10:12-14). Christ as Advocate 'before the Father's throne' (1 John 2:1-2; Rom 8:34) — his intercession is the showing of his completed atonement. 'Thy Word I plead' — 'Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope' (Ps 119:49).
- Scripture
- Ps 51:3, Rom 3:25, Heb 10:12-14, 1 John 2:1-2, Rom 8:34, Ps 119:49
- Imagery & language
- Rising sins; throne; Word pleaded.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sins; Gospel — atonement and advocacy.
- Connection to previous
- Atonement pleaded.
Lord, in mercy steady my heart on faith's surest foundation and give your perfect comfort to my inmost soul. Fill my whole life with love for you and grant me love toward all people; and at the last, when my end comes, send your help and defend my soul from Satan's tricks.
'No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ' (1 Cor 3:11). Love toward God and neighbor as faith's fruit (Gal 5:6; 1 Tim 1:5; AC VI). The devil's schemes (Eph 6:11). A blessed end (Ps 31:5; SC Seventh Petition).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 3:11, Gal 5:6, 1 Tim 1:5, Eph 6:11, Ps 31:5
- Imagery & language
- Sure foundation; love; Satan's wiles.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith, love, a blessed end.
- Connection to previous
- Stay my heart.
Themes
Substitutionary atonement Faith in Christ alone Justification by faith Christ's propitiation