Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace
Lord, bid Your servant go in peace
Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace is a hymn text by Nikolai Grundtvig (1844) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Translated by Carl Döving. Found in CW21 950, elw 316, hs98 911, lsb 937.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran affirmation of Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promise and the light revealed to all nations. It embodies the peace that comes through faith in Christ's redemptive work, central to Lutheran soteriology.
History & Background
Grundtvig composed this Danish hymn based on the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32) in 1844 as part of his broader hymnodic output. Carl Döving's English translation was first published in 1909 and has become standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 950
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 316
- Hymnal Supplement 98 — 911
- Lutheran Service Book — 937
- Lutheran Worship — 370
- With One Voice — 631
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Danish theologian Nikolai Grundtvig in 1844, this hymn roots Simeon's temple blessing in the fuller revelation of Christ as light to the nations, reshaping Lutheran hymnody with biblical depth and doctrinal clarity.
Preaching Connection
This hymn invites preachers to proclaim how Christ fulfills the Law's promise and replaces the believer's burden of striving with the Gospel's gift of assured peace.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the three-year series
- Christmas 1 (3×)
- Holy Innocents (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Themes
Simeon's canticle Messianic fulfillment Light of the nations Peace of God Acceptance of God's will