Lo God to Heaven Ascendeth

Lo God to heaven ascendeth

Lo God to Heaven Ascendeth is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 65, tlh 214.

The hymn celebrates Christ's victorious Ascension as the foundation of Christian hope and the vindication of His redemptive work, emphasizing His present reign at God's right hand. It connects the historical event of Ascension to the believer's confidence in Christ's ongoing intercession and the promise of His return.

History & Background

Martin Behm's German hymn 'Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen' was published in his 1602 collection and became a standard Lutheran Ascension hymn. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 Lyra Germanica collection.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 65
The Lutheran Hymnal — 214

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1602, this L.M. hymn traditionally pairs with the tune GOTT FÄHRET AUF ('God Goes Up'), connecting Ascension's historical reality to the believer's living confidence in Christ's heavenly reign.

Preaching Connection

This hymn proclaims Christ's exaltation as the Gospel's crown—the vindication of His redemptive work and the foundation of believers' unshakeable hope in His present intercession.

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

An Ascension hymn by Gottfried Sacer built on Ps 47:5, 'God has gone up with a shout.' Trumpets and shouts fill heaven as Christ ascends (st. 1); saints, cherubim and seraphim welcome him home (st. 2); we follow him from cross to throne — he has gone before, yet will not leave us (st. 3); he is preparing our place, so my soul should set its hope where he has entered (st. 4); and our hearts sing to him as Life, Way, Joy, Hope and Crown (st. 5).

Central theme: Christ's ascension as both his enthronement and the guarantee and goal of our own way to heaven

Structure

Five eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6.6.7.7.6). Shout and trumpet (1) — heaven's welcome (2) — following (3) — place prepared (4) — hearts winging (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'the Lord who set them free'; 'here He will not leave us'; 'Our place He is preparing.'

Confessional Connections

Ps 47:5-7 (TLH's text). St. 1 calls the ascending Christ 'God' and 'the God of hosts adored' — the ascension of the God-man. St. 3, 'Our Lord is gone before; yet here He will not leave us' — the ascension is not absence: Christ's human nature, exalted to the right hand of God, shares the divine omnipresence and is present according to his promise, especially in the Supper (FC VIII.27-28; FC SD VII.94ff; Matt 28:20). He is the forerunner who has entered 'behind the curtain' for us (Heb 6:19-20).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Ascension Day and Sunday after.

Historical Notes

Sacer (1635-1699), Lutheran jurist in Brunswick, wrote it in 1661. Frances Cox (1812-1897) translated it in Sacred Hymns from the German (1841).

About the Tune

AUS MEINES HERZENS GRUNDE (Neu Catechismus-Gesangbüchlein, Hamburg, 1598).

Scripture References

Ps 47:5-7 Acts 1:9-11 Eph 4:8 Ps 24:7-10 Heb 6:19-20 John 14:2-3 Matt 28:20 Matt 6:21 Col 3:1-2 Phil 3:13-14 John 14:6 Matt 28:18 2 Tim 4:8

Stanza by Stanza

1 Lo, God to heaven ascendeth!…

Look, God ascends to heaven! Throughout its vast regions the trumpet's thrilling blast blends with triumphant shouts: sing praise to Christ the Lord; sing praise joyfully to the King of every nation, the adored God of hosts!

'God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises… God is the King of all the earth' (Ps 47:5-7). 'He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight' (Acts 1:9).

Scripture: Ps 47:5-7, Acts 1:9
Imagery & language: Ascending God; shouts; trumpet; King of nations.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ enthroned.
Connection to previous: Shout and trumpet.

Ascension praise kingship of Christ

2 With joy is heaven resounding…

Heaven resounds with joy at Christ's glad return; see the saints surrounding the Lord who set them free. Bright multitudes come thronging; cherubim rejoice, and loud seraphic voices all welcome Jesus home.

'Lift up your heads, O gates… that the King of glory may come in' (Ps 24:7-10). 'He led a host of captives' (Eph 4:8).

Scripture: Ps 24:7-10, Eph 4:8, Rev 5:11
Imagery & language: Heaven resounding; saints; cherubim and seraphim.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the Liberator welcomed.
Connection to previous: Welcome home.

Ascension angels heaven

3 From cross to throne ascending,…

Ascending from cross to throne, we follow Christ on high and know the path that leads to mansions in the sky. Our Lord has gone before; yet he will not leave us here, but will soon receive us in heaven and open wide the door.

'Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf' (Heb 6:20). 'I will come again and will take you to myself' (John 14:3). 'I am with you always' (Matt 28:20) — FC VIII: the exalted Christ present.

Scripture: Heb 6:19-20, John 14:2-3, Matt 28:20
Imagery & language: Cross to throne; gone before; not left.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — forerunner and present Lord.
Connection to previous: Gone before.

Ascension presence of Christ heaven

4 Our place He is preparing;…

He is preparing our place; we too will rise to heaven, sharing his glory, and be where our Treasure is. Stir yourself, my soul! Where Jesus Christ has entered, let your hope be centered there; press on toward the goal.

'I go to prepare a place for you' (John 14:2). 'Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matt 6:21). 'Set your minds on things that are above' (Col 3:1-2). 'I press on toward the goal' (Phil 3:14).

Scripture: John 14:2, Matt 6:21, Col 3:1-2, Phil 3:13-14
Imagery & language: Place prepared; Treasure; press onward.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — our future secured.
Connection to previous: Place prepared.

heaven hope heavenly-mindedness

5 Let all our thoughts be winging…

Let all our thoughts fly to where you ascended, and let our hearts sing: 'We seek you, Christ our Friend, God's exalted Son, our Life and Way to heaven, to whom all power is given, our Joy, Hope and Crown.'

'I am the way, and the truth, and the life' (John 14:6). 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matt 28:18). The crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8).

Scripture: Col 3:1, John 14:6, Matt 28:18, 2 Tim 4:8
Imagery & language: Thoughts winging; Friend; Way; Crown.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ our all.
Connection to previous: Hearts winging.

Ascension titles of Christ hope

Themes

Christ's Ascension God's majesty and reign Exaltation and triumph Kingship of Christ Heavenly intercession

Look Further

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