Jesus I Will Never Leave
Jesus I will never leave
Jesus I Will Never Leave is a hymn text by Nikolai Grundtvig (1840) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Translated by George A. T. Rygh. Found in ELH 362, tlh 365.
The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of faith as personal trust and adherence to Christ as Lord and Savior, rooted in the Gospel promise of Christ's abiding presence. It reflects Grundtvig's vision of vital, committed discipleship as central to Lutheran faith and practice.
History & Background
Grundtvig wrote this hymn in Danish as 'Jesus jeg aldrig skal forlade' in the 1840s, reflecting his focus on personal commitment to Christ and the living word. It was translated into English by George A. T. Rygh in 1909 and published in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) in 1941.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 362
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 365
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Danish bishop and hymnologist Nikolai Grundtvig (1783–1872), this 1840 hymn shaped Lutheran devotion by linking personal commitment to Christ with assurance of His unchanging grace—a hallmark of Grundtvigian piety.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies Grundtvig's conviction that the Law's demand for complete loyalty to Christ finds its answer not in human resolve but in the Gospel's promise of Christ's abiding, unbreakable presence.
Overview
Christian Keimann's 'Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht,' written in memory of Elector John George I of Saxony, whose dying words it echoes (Jacob at the Jabbok: 'I will not let you go,' Gen 32:26). Every stanza ends 'Jesus I will never leave.' I cleave to him who gave himself (st. 1); while I live I give him all (st. 2); when my senses fail at death (st. 3); in heaven among the saints (st. 4); I want neither earth's joys nor heaven without him — he achieved my redemption (st. 5). Bach used the melody in several cantatas.
Central theme: Faith's holy stubbornness: clinging to Jesus in life, in death and in heaven, because he gave himself for me
Structure
Five six-line stanzas (7.8.7.8.7.7) with refrain 'Jesus I will never leave.' Cleaving (1) — in life (2) — in death (3) — in heaven (4) — only Jesus (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'Who for me Himself hath given'; 'Jesus, who my soul did save'; 'He redemption did achieve' (1, 5).
Confessional Connections
Luke 9:57 (TLH's text): 'I will follow you wherever you go.' The resolve 'I will never leave' is not self-confidence but faith clinging to its object, grounded each time in Christ's prior gift: 'Who for me Himself hath given' (st. 1), 'He redemption did achieve' (st. 5). St. 3 depicts the dying Christian whose senses fail but whose faith holds (LC Lord's Prayer VII on the final hour). St. 5: 'Nor, without Him, heaven's pleasure' — heaven is Christ (Ps 73:25).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; Trinity season; confirmation; Easter season.
Historical Notes
Keimann (1607-1662), rector at Zittau, wrote it in 1658 on the death of Elector John George I of Saxony. The melody is often credited to Andreas Hammerschmidt (1658) (verify); TLH gives the Darmstadt 1699 source.
About the Tune
MEINEN JESUM LASS' ICH NICHT (Neuverfertigtes Gesangbuch, Darmstadt, 1699).
Scripture References
Luke 9:57 Gen 32:26 Gal 2:20 Ruth 1:16 Rom 12:1 1 Pet 5:7 Rom 8:38-39 Eccl 12:1-7 Heb 12:22-23 Ps 73:25 Matt 13:44 Heb 9:12
Stanza by Stanza
I will never leave Jesus, who gave himself for me; I will cling firmly to him and never be driven from him. Life receives its light from him — I will never leave Jesus.
'Who loved me and gave himself for me' (Gal 2:20). 'Where you go I will go' (Ruth 1:16). Refrain: 'Jesus I will never leave' — 'I will not let you go' (Gen 32:26).
- Scripture
- Gal 2:20, Gen 32:26, Ruth 1:16, John 8:12
- Imagery & language
- Never leave; Himself given; cleave; light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — his self-giving.
- Connection to previous
- Never leave.
I will never leave Jesus while I live on earth; I give him what I have, trusting him in all cares. Nothing will rob me of him — I will never leave Jesus.
'Present your bodies as a living sacrifice' (Rom 12:1). 'Casting all your anxieties on him' (1 Pet 5:7).
- Scripture
- Rom 12:1, 1 Pet 5:7, Rom 8:35
- Imagery & language
- On earth; giving; confiding; not bereaved.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — trust.
- Connection to previous
- On earth.
Though my sight fails, and hearing, taste and touch fail me; though my life's last daylight overtakes and assails me; when I receive his summons, I will never leave Jesus.
The failing senses of old age and death (Eccl 12:1-7). 'Neither death nor life… will be able to separate us' (Rom 8:38-39).
- Scripture
- Eccl 12:1-7, Rom 8:38-39
- Imagery & language
- Senses failing; last light; summons.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — death; Gospel — held in faith.
- Connection to previous
- At death.
Nor will I leave my Jesus when at last I come to where he will receive his saints, where they live together in bliss. He will give me endless joy — I will never leave Jesus.
'The assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven' (Heb 12:22-23).
- Scripture
- Heb 12:22-23, John 14:3
- Imagery & language
- Thither; saints received; bliss; endless joy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — heaven with Christ.
- Connection to previous
- In heaven.
I do not crave earth's empty joys, nor heaven's pleasure without him; Jesus, who saved my soul, will always be my treasure. He achieved redemption — I will never leave Jesus.
'Whom have I in heaven but you?' (Ps 73:25). The treasure in the field (Matt 13:44). 'Securing an eternal redemption' (Heb 9:12).
- Scripture
- Ps 73:25, Matt 13:44, Heb 9:12
- Imagery & language
- Earth's joys; heaven without him; Treasure; redemption.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — redemption achieved.
- Connection to previous
- Only Jesus.
Themes
Discipleship and commitment to Christ Perseverance in faith Loyalty to Jesus Trust and confidence