In You is Gladness

In you is gladness amid all sadness

This hymn exemplifies Lutheran theology of Christian joy rooted not in external circumstances but in the person of Christ and the hope of eternal life. It reflects the paradox central to Luther's theology: believers can rejoice in tribulation because ultimate victory is secured in Christ.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this German hymn in 1610 as an expression of Christian joy amid worldly troubles. The text was first published in Strasbourg in 1610 and became widely popular in German Lutheran hymnals throughout the seventeenth century.

Cantor Johann Lindemann (b. Gotha, Thuringia, Germany, Scripture References 1549; d. Gotha, 1631) wrote this text to fit the tune IN DIRIST st. 2 = Rom. 8:35-39 FREUDE. It was published in Lindemann’s Amorum Filii Dei Heb. 4:14-16 DecadesDuae (1598). Lindemann attended the gymnasium (high school) in Gotha and then studied at the University ofJena. He returned to Gotha, where he served on the council and became a cantor in several churches (1580-1631). One of the signers of the Lutheran Formula of Concord (1577), Lindemann published AmorumFilii Dei Decades Duae (1598), which included his “In You Is Gladness.” Catherine Winkworth prepared the English translation for the second series of her Lyra Germanica (1858). The text confesses with joy the Christian’s security of walking intimately with God through the ups and downs of daily life. The two long stanzas consist of various short biblical phrases and allusions woven into an integrated pattern of praise and petition, confession and rejoicing. All are punctuated by periodic “alleluias.” The words of the text suggest Q&A 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Hymnal Appearances

Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 867
Glory to God — 318
Lutheran Book of Worship — 552
Lutheran Service Book — 818
Lift Up Your Hearts — 93
Lutheran Worship — 442
Psalter Hymnal — 566
Voices Together — 89

Translation

Christian Worship Editorial Committee

Liturgical Use

Many occasions of worship in which encouragement and joy in Christ’s saving work are appropriate in the face of “sin or death or night”; after Lord’s Supper; funerals.

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn expresses the heart of Lutheran theology: Christian gladness springs not from external peace, but from faith in Christ's triumph over sin and death.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the paradox of Law and Gospel: it names worldly sorrow and sin's weight, then thunders the consolation that in Christ's victory, believers possess a joy no circumstance can diminish.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human misery and anxiety (stanzas 1-2) yield to Christ's treasures and freedom (stanzas 3-4); concludes in assurance and joy

Themes

Joy in Christ Trust in God Perseverance in faith Consolation in suffering Eternal hope