Lord You I Love with All My Heart
Lord, You I love with all my heart
This hymn expresses the central Lutheran understanding of justification through faith, emphasizing the believer's loving response to Christ's redemptive work. It exemplifies the devotional character of Lutheran hymnody, combining doctrinal precision with warm affective piety.
History & Background
Martin Behm wrote this German hymn in the early 17th century as a personal confession of faith and love for Christ. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1858, making it widely available to English-speaking Lutheran congregations.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 816
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 325
- Lutheran Service Book — 708
- Lutheran Worship — 413
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 429
- Voices Together — 614
- With One Voice — 697
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1610) wrote this hymn in the Reformation tradition, balancing rigorous doctrinal precision about justification with warm, personal devotion. The tune HERZLICH TUT MICH perfectly captures its affective power.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the movement from Law to Gospel: the summons to love God completely gives way to the comfort of Christ's forgiveness and the Spirit's sustaining grace in our struggle against sin.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand to love God completely (St. 1) through confession of sin and need for Christ's redemption (St. 2), to the Holy Spirit's sustaining comfort (St. 3), culminating in trinitarian confidence and eschatological hope (St. 4)
Themes
Love for Christ Confession of faith Trust in God's mercy Devotion and commitment