Jesus Savior Come to Me

Jesus Savior Come to Me is a hymn text by Nicolai Grundtvig (1840) in 7.6.7.6.7.7.8.8 meter. Translated by Gracia Grindal. Found in tlh 356.

This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on salvation through Christ's gracious invitation, reflecting the doctrine of justification by faith. It exemplifies Grundtvig's pastoral approach to theology, presenting Christ's saving work as an intimate, personal call to the believer.

History & Background

Written by Danish bishop and theologian Nicolai Grundtvig in the 19th century, this hymn reflects his characteristic warmth and personal faith. It was first published in Danish hymnals and later translated into English by Gracia Grindal for The Lutheran Book of Worship.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Lutheran Hymnal — 356

Translation

Gracia Grindal

Bulletin Note

Penned by Danish pastor Nicolai Grundtvig in 1840, this hymn shaped Lutheran hymnody through its emphasis on Christ's gracious invitation rather than human achievement—a hallmark of Grundtvig's pastoral theology and the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel by showing how the soul's restless seeking after righteousness finds its answer not in human effort, but in Christ's sovereign and merciful initiative toward the believer.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• Of Justification Augsburg Confession

Overview

A longing hymn by Johann Scheffler ('Angelus Silesius'), translated by Matthias Loy. Come and never depart (st. 1); nothing else satisfies — 'Jesus, Jesus, come to me!' (st. 2); earthly joys give no peace (st. 3); even angels' joys would distress me without you (st. 4); you are my glory, you bled and died, and I hide in your wounds (st. 5); come, slain Lamb, and ease my pain (st. 6); when death comes, be my Jesus (st. 7). Scheffler later became a Roman Catholic polemicist, but this text, from his early mystical period, is evangelical and was taken up into Lutheran hymnals.

Central theme: The soul's longing for Christ's presence, satisfied only in the slain Lamb who bled and died

Structure

Seven 7.7.7.7 quatrains. Come (1) — nothing else satisfies (2) — earthly joys (3) — even angels' joys (4) — wounds (5) — slain Lamb (6) — at death (7).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'my pain'; earthly joys empty (3, 6). Gospel: 'Thou hast bled for me and died; / In Thy wounds I safely hide' (5).

Confessional Connections

Isa 26:9 (TLH's text): 'My soul yearns for you in the night.' Christ comes to us — he is not reached by mystical ascent but comes in Word and Sacrament (AC V; FC III.54 on the indwelling). St. 5 anchors the longing in the atonement: 'Thou hast bled for me and died; / In Thy wounds I safely hide' (Isa 53:5) — refuge in Christ's wounds, a classic Lutheran devotional image. St. 7: Christ as 'my dear Jesus' at death — a good death in faith (LC Lord's Prayer VII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Advent; Lord's Supper; general devotion; funerals.

Historical Notes

Scheffler (1624-1677), physician and mystic poet who converted to Rome in 1653; the hymn appeared in Heilige Seelenlust (1657). Loy translated it in 1861.

About the Tune

GOTT SEI DANK (Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch, Halle, 1704).

Scripture References

Isa 26:9 Rev 3:20 John 14:23 Ps 42:1-2 Ps 73:25-26 Eccl 2:11 Ps 16:11 Gen 15:1 Isa 53:5 Song 2:14 John 1:29 Rev 22:20 Phil 1:21

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Salvation in Christ Personal devotion Invitation to faith Divine mercy

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Jesus Savior Come to Me" ↗