Lord of Glory, You have Bought Us
Lord of glory, You have bought us
This hymn emphasizes Christ's redemptive work and the believer's grateful response through sacrificial living and service, reflecting Lutheran soteriology. It connects the objective work of redemption (Christ's purchase of us) with the subjective response of sanctification and Christian duty.
History & Background
Originally composed in German as 'Herr der Herrlichkeit, wir preisen dich' by Berthold Nicolai in 1599, this hymn was translated into English by Carl Döring in 1850. It became widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 706
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 424
- Lutheran Service Book — 851
- Lutheran Worship — 402
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 442
Translation
Bulletin Note
Berthold Nicolai, 1599. This German Reformation hymn exemplifies the Lutheran integration of forensic justification (Christ's purchased redemption) with ethical response (our grateful service), sung across four centuries.
Preaching Connection
This hymn bridges the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's objective redemption with the Law's summons to sanctified obedience, making it a powerful liturgical echo of Lutheran soteriology in sung form.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Eschatological renewal: from cosmic dissolution through moral reformation to sanctified social order
Themes
Redemption through Christ's sacrifice Christian stewardship and duty Love of Christ constraining believers Sanctification and obedience Body of Christ