Lord to Thee I Make Confession

Lord to Thee I make confession

Lord to Thee I Make Confession is a hymn text by Aurelianus Prudentius Clemens (405) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by John Christian Jacobi. Found in CW21 653, CW93 302, ELH 450, elw 290.

This hymn embodies Lutheran penitential theology, emphasizing both the law's exposure of sin and the gospel's promise of forgiveness through Christ. The text reflects the Reformation understanding that genuine confession acknowledges humanity's total depravity while trusting in divine mercy.

History & Background

Prudentius wrote this penitential hymn in the early 5th century as part of his Cathemerinon (Daily Hymns). The text was translated into English by John Christian Jacobi in the early 18th century and has been widely used in Lutheran hymnody since its inclusion in early German-American Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship: Hymnal — 653
Christian Worship — 302
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 450
Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 290
Lutheran Service Book — 608
Lutheran Worship — 233
The Lutheran Hymnal — 326

Translation

John Christian Jacobi

Bulletin Note

Penned by Prudentius in 405 AD, this Latin hymn shaped Christian confession for over 1,600 years. It anchors penitence not in works but in Christ's atoning death—a Reformation conviction sung long before Luther.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes Lutheran penitential theology: the law's relentless exposure of sin becomes the threshold where the gospel's absolution becomes real and personal, not theoretical.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Confession of Sin Small Catechism — Confession

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

Johann Franck (see TLH 305, 347), 'Herr, ich habe missgehandelt', eight stanzas, dated 1649 (Bach-cantatas notes 1646/49), with Crüger's melody of 1649 (Zahn 3695). The LSB study says stanza 1 was first published in 1649 and the full eight-stanza hymn four years later (1653). Franck was a layman, a lawyer. A penitential hymn: confession of sin, terror before God's wrath, nowhere to flee, then flight to Christ's wounds and blood as the only refuge. A clean Law-to-Gospel arc. TLH 326 places it with confession before Communion. Bach set st 1 in the St Mark Passion (BWV 247, mvt 32; the music is lost and reconstructed) and harmonized it as BWV 330 and 331. Winkworth's 1863 English (Chorale Book) is the base of 'Lord, to Thee I make confession'. LW 233 and LSB 608 keep it.

Sources: bach-cantatas.com (Chorale 158); hymnary.org; LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (study by Scott R. Schilbe).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

Trinity 3 (5×)
Ash Wednesday (1×)
Trinity 10 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Lent 3 (1×)
Proper 18 (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.

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

A confession hymn by Johann Franck, mayor of Guben, set by Crüger. It follows the movement of repentance exactly: confession of sin and terror at God's judgment (st. 1); the prodigal's return to the Father, though unworthy to be called his child (st. 2); the ground of hope in the Son's suffering and reconciliation (st. 3); and the casting of the burden on Christ, with prayers for pardon, cleansing and the Spirit (st. 4). It is a model of contrition and faith (AC XII).

Central theme: Confession of sin and terror, answered by faith in the Son who suffered and reconciled us

Structure

Four six-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8). Contrition (1) — return to the Father (2) — Christ the ground (3) — faith casting the burden (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: sin, going astray, terrors, accusing conscience (1-2). Gospel: the Son's suffering and reconciliation, pardon, cleansing (3-4).

Confessional Connections

Repentance consists of contrition ('terrors smiting the conscience') and faith (AC XII.3-5; Ap XII). Reconciliation by Christ's death (AC III). The Spirit's abiding presence (Ps 51:11).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Confession and Absolution; Lent; preparation for Communion.

Historical Notes

Franck (1618-1677), lawyer and mayor of Guben, Lusatia; Crüger published many of his hymns (1649).

About the Tune

HERR, ICH HABE MISSGEHANDELT (Johann Crüger, 1649).

Scripture References

Ps 32:5 Isa 53:6 Ps 139:7-10 Luke 15:18-21 Ps 51:11 Rom 5:10 2 Cor 5:18-19 Isa 53:5 1 Pet 5:7 Mic 7:19 Ps 51:7 Isa 1:18

Stanza by Stanza

1 Lord, to Thee I make confession;…

Lord, I confess to you: I have sinned and gone astray, multiplied my transgressions, chosen my own way; led by you to see my errors, Lord, I tremble at your terrors.

Confession (Ps 32:5) with the key admission: 'chosen for myself my way' — the essence of sin (Isa 53:6, 'each to his own way'). 'Led by Thee to see my errors' — even knowledge of sin is God's work through the Law (Rom 3:20). 'I tremble at Thy terrors' — the 'terrors of conscience' that the Apology describes as contrition (Ap XII.29-34).

Scripture: Ps 32:5, Isa 53:6, Rom 3:20, Ps 38:4, Ps 119:120
Imagery & language: Confession; trembling.
Law / Gospel: Law — contrition.
Connection to previous: Contrition.

confession contrition terrors of conscience

2 Yet, though conscience' voice appal me,…

Yet though my conscience terrifies me, Father, I will seek your face; though I do not dare call myself your child, receive me into your grace. Do not forsake me for my sins or let your wrath overtake me.

The prodigal's return (Luke 15:18-21): 'I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' Yet he goes to the 'Father.' The conscience accuses, but faith seeks God's face anyway — this is the decisive turn of repentance. 'Do not let Thy wrath o'ertake me' — Ps 6:1; 38:1.

Scripture: Luke 15:18-21, Ps 27:8, Ps 6:1, Ps 51:11, 1 John 3:20
Imagery & language: Accusing conscience; seeking the face.
Law / Gospel: Law and Gospel — conscience accuses; the Father is sought.
Connection to previous: Return.

prodigal son repentance conscience

3 For Thy Son did suffer for me,…

For your Son suffered for me, gave himself to rescue me, died to heal and restore me, and reconciled me to you. Only his cross can conquer these dark fears and soothe this anguish.

The ground: the Son's suffering 'for me' (Gal 2:20), reconciliation (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18-19), healing (Isa 53:5). ''Tis alone His cross can vanquish these dark fears' — solus Christus: no other remedy for the terrified conscience (Ap IV.79). The cross answers the 'terrors' of st. 1.

Scripture: Gal 2:20, Rom 5:10, 2 Cor 5:18-19, Isa 53:5, Col 1:20
Imagery & language: Cross vanquishing fears.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — reconciliation by the Son.
Connection to previous: Christ the ground.

atonement reconciliation solus Christus peace of conscience

4 Then on Him I cast my burden,…

So I cast my burden on him and sink it in the depths; let me know your gracious pardon; wash me and make me white as snow. Never let your Spirit leave me; make me yours alone forever.

Faith casts the burden on Christ (1 Pet 5:7; Ps 55:22). 'Sink it in the depths below' — Mic 7:19: 'You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.' 'Wash me… white as snow' (Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18). 'Let Thy Spirit leave me never' (Ps 51:11). The hymn ends with renewed belonging.

Scripture: 1 Pet 5:7, Ps 55:22, Mic 7:19, Ps 51:7, 11, Isa 1:18
Imagery & language: Burden cast; depths; snow.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — pardon and cleansing.
Connection to previous: Faith.

faith forgiveness Holy Spirit

Themes

confession of sin repentance grace and forgiveness God's omniscience penitence

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "Lord to Thee I Make Confession" ↗