Jesus All Thy Labor Vast

Jesus, all Thy labor vast

Jesus All Thy Labor Vast is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Found in tlh 186.

This hymn emphasizes Christ's completed work of redemption and the sufficiency of His sacrifice for human salvation, central to Lutheran soteriology. It calls believers to rest in Christ's finished labor rather than relying on human works.

History & Background

This hymn appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 186 but authorship details are obscure. It reflects 19th-century German Lutheran hymnody translated for English congregational use.

Hymnal Appearances

The Lutheran Hymnal — 186

Bulletin Note

Author unknown, dating to 1800. This hymn expresses core Lutheran teaching: Christ's redemptive work is complete and exhaustive, freeing believers from anxiety about their own spiritual achievement.

Preaching Connection

This hymn amplifies the gospel's promise by inviting believers to abandon works-righteousness and find their sufficiency in Christ's finished labor—a perfect counterpoint to any proclamation of the Law's demands.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

TLH 186, Part VII of Pollock's Seven Words litany: "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit" (Luke 23:46) (Hymnary LH1941/186 heading). Three stanzas in TLH. Tune SEPTEM VERBA (Bernhard Schumacher, 1939), which is shared across the whole litany so it can be sung straight through on Good Friday. For Pollock's biography see r815.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

The Seventh Word: 'Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.' One of seven short litany hymns by Thomas B. Pollock on the Seven Words from the cross (TLH 180-186), each stanza ending 'Hear us, holy Jesus,' written for the Good Friday Three Hours devotion. Christ's vast labor, woe and conflict now past, he yields up his soul (st. 1); when death's shadows gather over us, guard us from the Tempter in that hour (st. 2); may his life and death supply grace to live, to die and to reach home (st. 3). The last of the series closes on the Christian's own death.

Central theme: Christ's commending of his spirit as the model and power for the Christian's own death

Structure

Three tercets with refrain. His death (1) — our death hour (2) — grace to live and die (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: death's shadows; the Tempter (2). Gospel: 'Grace to live and grace to die' from his life and death (3).

Confessional Connections

Luke 23:46 (TLH's text; CCEL gave 22:46, corrected). Jesus prays Ps 31:5, and Stephen echoes him (Acts 7:59) — the Church's prayer at death (SC Evening Prayer: 'into Your hands I commend myself'). St. 2: the hour of death as the last assault of the Tempter (LC Sixth Petition), against which Christ guards (Heb 2:14-15). St. 3: 'Thy life and death' — active and passive obedience together are our righteousness (FC III) and our grace to live and die.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Good Friday (Tre Ore, Seventh Word); Lent; prayer for the dying.

Historical Notes

Pollock (1836-1896), an Anglican priest serving the poor at St. Alban's, Birmingham, published the Seven Words litanies in 1870 (Metrical Litanies).

About the Tune

SEPTEM VERBA (Bernhard Schumacher, 1939) — apparently composed for TLH (verify) and used for all seven Pollock hymns.

Scripture References

Luke 23:46 Ps 31:5 Isa 53:11 John 17:4 Ps 23:4 Heb 2:14-15 Matt 6:13 1 Cor 10:13 Acts 7:59 Rom 14:8 2 Cor 12:9 John 14:2-3

Stanza by Stanza

1 Jesus, all Thy labor vast,…

Jesus, all your vast labor and all your sorrow and conflict now past, you yield up your soul at last: hear us, holy Jesus.

'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit' (Luke 23:46; Ps 31:5). 'Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied' (Isa 53:11). 'Having accomplished the work' (John 17:4).

Scripture: Luke 23:46, Ps 31:5, Isa 53:11, John 17:4
Imagery & language: Labor; conflict past; soul yielded.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — his work completed.
Connection to previous: Into Thy hands.

Seventh Word death of Christ

2 When the death shades round us lower,…

When the shadows of death gather threateningly around us, guard us from the Tempter's power; keep us in that hour of trial: hear us, holy Jesus.

'The valley of the shadow of death' (Ps 23:4). Christ destroyed 'the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil' (Heb 2:14-15). 'Lead us not into temptation' (Matt 6:13).

Scripture: Ps 23:4, Heb 2:14-15, Matt 6:13, 1 Cor 10:13
Imagery & language: Death shades; Tempter; trial hour.
Law / Gospel: Law — death and temptation; Gospel — guarded.
Connection to previous: Death hour.

death temptation Sixth Petition

3 May Thy life and death supply…

May your life and death supply grace to live, grace to die and grace to reach our home on high: hear us, holy Jesus.

'My grace is sufficient for you' (2 Cor 12:9). 'Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's' (Rom 14:8). The Father's house (John 14:2-3).

Scripture: 2 Cor 12:9, Rom 14:8, John 14:2-3
Imagery & language: Grace to live, die, reach home.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — grace for all of life and death.
Connection to previous: Grace to die.

grace death heaven

Themes

Christ's Passion and Redemption Atonement Trust in Christ's Work Surrender to God's Will

Look Further

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