Jerusalem Thou City Fair and High
Jerusalem thou city fair and high
Jerusalem Thou City Fair and High is a hymn text by Laurentius Laurenti (1700) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Charles P. Krauth. Found in CW93 212, ELH 541, elw 666, lbw 348. Sung to CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM.
The hymn expresses the Lutheran hope for the consummation of all things in the heavenly Jerusalem while grounding faith in Christ's glorified presence revealed at the Transfiguration. It reflects Lutheran eschatological conviction that the kingdom of God transcends earthly temporality while remaining the destiny of the redeemed.
History & Background
Laurentius Laurenti wrote this Swedish hymn in the early 18th century, reflecting the mystical theology of the Scandinavian baroque period. Charles P. Krauth translated it into English in 1873, and it became established in Lutheran hymnals through the Common Service tradition.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 212
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 541
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 666
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 348
- Lutheran Service Book — 674
- Lutheran Worship — 306
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 619
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Swedish Lutheran Laurentius Laurenti in 1700, this hymn expresses the Reformed hope for heavenly Jerusalem while grounding assurance in Christ's glorified presence revealed at the Transfiguration.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens eschatological hope by rooting it in the Transfiguration's revelation of Christ's glory—transforming the Law's demand for perfection into the Gospel's promise of our participation in his glorified kingdom.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (human darkness and sin) → Gospel (Christ's redemptive light) → Doxology (Trinitarian glory)
Overview
Johann Matthäus Meyfart, Lutheran theologian at Coburg and Erfurt, wrote this towering hymn on heaven in 1626, during the Thirty Years' War, as part of a published series of sermons on the Last Things. The longing heart flies to the city (st. 1) and longs for the hour of death, when the soul is gladly handed over to the Father (st. 2); Elijah's chariot carries the soul up while angels come down to meet it (st. 3). It hails the gates of grace (st. 4), and is met by the Church's great teachers, whose words it read on earth (st. 5), by patriarchs, prophets and martyrs (st. 6), and joins the endless hallelujahs of the saints (st. 7) and the choirs before the throne (st. 8).
Central theme: The soul's passage through death into the heavenly Jerusalem and its welcome into the Church triumphant's eternal praise
Structure
Eight eight-line stanzas (10.6.10.6.7.6.7.6). Longing (1-2) — passage (3) — arrival (4) — the welcoming saints (5-6) — eternal song (7-8).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout. 'This world of pain,' 'yon dark life of sadness… shadowy naught' (1, 4) describe the fallen world; the 'gates of grace' (4) and the Father's sure promise (2) carry the soul home.
Confessional Connections
Death as the soul's homecoming under the Father's 'promise [that] standeth fast' (st. 2) — the Gospel promise, not human merit, carries the soul (AC IV, XVII). Angels' ministry at death (Luke 16:22; Ap XXI.8 affirms that angels pray for us). St. 5: the faithful teachers whose 'words oft came to greet me' — honoring the saints by remembering their teaching and imitating their faith (AC XXI). The Church triumphant's worship (Rev 7).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
All Saints' Day; funerals; Last Sundays; Transfiguration (TLH links it to Matt 17).
Historical Notes
Meyfart (1590-1642) published a series of devotional books on the Last Things in the 1620s (Tuba novissima, 1626, and a volume on the heavenly Jerusalem); the hymn is associated with the latter — verify details. He also wrote against witch trials. TLH's text and tune (Melchior Franck, c. 1663) became a favorite for the dying and at funerals.
About the Tune
JERUSALEM, DU HOCHGEBAUTE STADT (Melchior Franck; TLH dates 1663).
Scripture References
Matt 17:1-9 Ps 84:2 Heb 11:16 Ps 36:9 Rev 21:6 Phil 1:23 Ps 31:5 2 Kgs 2:11 Luke 16:22 Ps 118:19-20 Rev 21:25 Heb 13:7 Heb 12:22-23 Heb 11:32-38 Dan 12:3 Matt 13:43 Rev 7:9-10 Rev 19:1-6 Rev 5:11-13 Rev 14:2-3
Stanza by Stanza
Jerusalem, city beautiful and high, I wish to God I were in you! My longing heart wants to fly to you and will not stay with me; far over valley, mountain, field and plain it hurries to seek its Fountain and leave this world of pain.
Peter at the Transfiguration (Matt 17:4, TLH's text): 'it is good that we are here.' Longing (Ps 84:2). The heart 'hastes to seek its Fountain' — God is the 'fountain of life' (Ps 36:9; Rev 21:6).
- Scripture
- Matt 17:1-9, Ps 84:2, Ps 36:9, Rev 21:6, Heb 11:16
- Imagery & language
- High city; flying heart; Fountain.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — longing.
- Connection to previous
- The city.
Happy day, and happier hour — when will you come at last, when I gladly and fearlessly give my soul into my Father's love and power, whose promise stands firm? His hand will surely lead her tenderly to heaven, her fatherland.
The hour of death called 'happy' — Phil 1:23. 'Fearless' because of the Father's promise 'that standeth fast' (Heb 6:17-19). Rendering the soul (Ps 31:5; Luke 23:46). 'Fatherland' — Heb 11:14-16.
- Scripture
- Phil 1:23, Ps 31:5, Luke 23:46, Heb 6:17-19, Heb 11:14-16
- Imagery & language
- Happy hour; soul rendered; fatherland.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Father's promise.
- Connection to previous
- Happy hour.
In a moment, gently and wondrously, freed from earthly ties, Elijah's chariot carries her up to you, through all the lower skies to the shining regions, while the blessed legions of angels come down to meet her and welcome her home.
Elijah taken up in a chariot of fire (2 Kgs 2:11) — a poetic image for the soul's passage. Angels carry Lazarus to Abraham's side (Luke 16:22). 'A moment's space' — the swiftness of passing (1 Cor 15:52).
- Scripture
- 2 Kgs 2:11, Luke 16:22, 1 Cor 15:52, Heb 1:14
- Imagery & language
- Elijah's chariot; angel legions.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — angels' welcome.
- Connection to previous
- Chariot.
Hail, Zion! Bright city, open the gates of grace to me now. How often I longed for you before I was set free from that dark life of sadness, that world of shadowy nothing, and God gave me the gladness and inheritance I sought.
'Open to me the gates of righteousness' (Ps 118:19-20) — here 'gates of grace': entry is by grace. Looking back, earthly life seems 'shadowy naught' (Ps 39:5-6; Eccl 1:2). The inheritance is 'given' (1 Pet 1:4).
- Scripture
- Ps 118:19-20, Rev 21:25, Ps 39:5-6, 1 Pet 1:4
- Imagery & language
- Gates of grace; shadowy naught.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — entry by grace.
- Connection to previous
- Gates of grace.
What glorious throng and shining host comes sweeping down? Those chosen ones who worked hardest on earth, the Church's brightest crown, whom our Lord has sent to meet me, just as in far-off years their words often came to greet me in that land of tears.
The great teachers of the Church: 'Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God… imitate their faith' (Heb 13:7). 'Those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars' (Dan 12:3). Their 'words… came to greet me' — the believer met them first through their writings and preaching. 'Our Lord hath set' them — Christ sends; the saints are not mediators.
- Scripture
- Heb 13:7, Dan 12:3, 1 Thess 2:19-20, Heb 12:1
- Imagery & language
- Resplendent host; teachers' words.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the communion of saints.
- Connection to previous
- The teachers.
The noble train of patriarchs and prophets, with all Christ's true followers who bore the cross and despised the worst tyrants could do — I see them shining forever, glorious as the sun, in light that never fades, their perfect freedom won.
Heb 11:32-38: those who were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, 'of whom the world was not worthy.' 'Then the righteous will shine like the sun' (Matt 13:43). Written amid the Thirty Years' War, the 'tyrants' were not abstract.
- Scripture
- Heb 11:32-38, Matt 13:43, Rev 7:14, Rev 6:9-11
- Imagery & language
- Noble train; shining like the sun.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the martyrs' freedom.
- Connection to previous
- Martyrs.
And when I am safely living in that lovely Paradise at last, what songs of bliss will rise from my lips, what joy my tongue will tell, while all the saints sing Hosannas over and over and pure Alleluias ring around me forever!
'Today you will be with me in paradise' (Luke 23:43). Hosanna and Alleluia — the songs of Palm Sunday and Easter fulfilled (Rev 7:10; 19:1-6).
- Scripture
- Luke 23:43, Rev 7:9-10, Rev 19:1-6, 2 Cor 12:4
- Imagery & language
- Paradise; Hosanna; Alleluia.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eternal praise.
- Connection to previous
- Paradise.
Unnumbered choirs before the shining throne raise joyful anthems until heaven's halls echo with that great hymn of praise, and all its host rejoices, and its blessed throng unites myriad voices in one eternal song.
Rev 5:11-13: 'myriads of myriads… saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb.' Rev 14:2-3: the new song. 'One eternal song' — the Church's worship completed, many voices in unity.
- Scripture
- Rev 5:11-13, Rev 14:2-3, Rev 4:8-11, Rev 7:9-12
- Imagery & language
- Choirs; throne; one song.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eternal worship.
- Connection to previous
- Eternal song.
Themes
Heavenly Jerusalem Glory of Christ Eschatology Transfiguration Vision of God