My Savior Sinners Doth Receive
My Savior sinners doth receive
My Savior Sinners Doth Receive is a hymn text by Erdmann Neumeister (1718) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Unknown English translator. Found in tlh 386.
The hymn proclaims the central Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith, emphasizing Christ's willingness to receive repentant sinners without merit or works. It reflects the Pietist emphasis on personal conversion and the believer's emotional response to divine mercy.
History & Background
Erdmann Neumeister composed this hymn in early 18th century German Pietism as part of his cantata texts and hymnic poetry. The hymn was translated into English and appeared in various Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 386.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 386
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by German pastor Erdmann Neumeister in 1718, this Pietist hymn emphasizes personal conversion and the believer's emotional response to grace. It remains a powerful testimony to justification by faith apart from works.
Preaching Connection
This Pietist hymn amplifies the Gospel's proclamation by naming Christ's specific, personal welcome to sinners—moving beyond abstract forgiveness to the intimate reality of divine acceptance that faith alone receives.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
Leopold Lehr's great Gospel hymn on Luke 15:2, 'This man receives sinners,' each stanza ending 'My Savior sinners doth receive.' It starts precisely where the Law has done its work: sinners with no rest, beyond human comfort, for whom 'the world is all too small,' condemned by the Law — to them the Gospel speaks (st. 1); a love deeper than a mother's drew him to become a curse and bear the cross (st. 2); his bosom is a haven; he casts sins into the sea and assures by his Spirit (st. 3); to the despairing — 'Now my repentance is too late' — 'O trembling sinner, have no fear' (st. 4); 'My Savior, Christ, receiveth me' (st. 5).
Central theme: The Gospel for the terrified conscience: Christ receives precisely the sinners the Law has condemned
Structure
Five ten-line stanzas with refrain. The condemned (1) — love and atonement (2) — haven and assurance (3) — answer to despair (4) — prayer: 'receiveth me' (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
A model of the proper distinction: the Law's full work (st. 1, 4) answered by the Gospel's full comfort (st. 2-5).
Confessional Connections
Luke 15:2 (TLH's text). St. 1 depicts the 'terrified conscience' (Ap IV.20, XII.31-36) — 'With whom the Law itself hath broken' — and declares that precisely these receive the Gospel: the Gospel is for the contrite (FC V.9-10, 17-20). St. 2: Christ 'in their stead a curse became' (Gal 3:13; vicarious satisfaction). St. 3: 'He gives assurance by His Spirit / That they are saved through His own merit' (Rom 8:16; Ap IV). St. 4 answers the despairing objection 'my repentance is too late' — repentance and forgiveness remain available while life lasts (AC XII.1-2 against the Novatians: absolution is never to be denied to the penitent).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Third Sunday after Trinity (Luke 15); Confession; Lent; pastoral care of the despairing.
Historical Notes
Lehr (1709-1744), Pietist pastor at Köthen, wrote it c. 1731 (published 1733).
About the Tune
MEIN HEILAND NIMMT DIE SÜNDER AN (Musikalischer Christenschatz, Basel, 1745).
Scripture References
Luke 15:2 Rom 3:19 Rom 7:9-10 Isa 49:15 Gal 3:13 Heb 9:26 Matt 11:28 Mic 7:19 Rom 8:16 Rom 4:5 Matt 12:31-32 Isa 1:18 Luke 23:43 John 6:37 Luke 7:34
Stanza by Stanza
My Savior receives sinners who find no rest and no salvation, whom no one can comfort, so great is their guilt and condemnation; for whom the world is too small, whose sins horrify themselves and God; whom the Law itself has broken and pronounced judgment on — to them the Gospel gives hope: my Savior receives sinners.
'This man receives sinners and eats with them' (Luke 15:2). 'Whatever the law says it speaks… so that every mouth may be stopped' (Rom 3:19). 'The commandment… proved to be death to me' (Rom 7:10). Ap XII: the terrified conscience. Refrain: 'My Savior sinners doth receive' (Luke 15:2).
- Scripture
- Luke 15:2, Rom 3:19, Rom 7:9-10
- Imagery & language
- No rest; condemned; world too small; Law broken them.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the terrified conscience; Gospel — received.
- Connection to previous
- The condemned.
A love deeper than a mother's, overflowing his heart, drew him to earth from heaven, giving boundless grace to sinners. He became a curse in their place, he bore the cross with all its shame, made full atonement by his suffering, gave his life as an offering for them. This is the comfort the Gospel gives: my Savior receives sinners.
'Can a woman forget her nursing child?… Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you' (Isa 49:15). 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us' (Gal 3:13). 'To put away sin by the sacrifice of himself' (Heb 9:26).
- Scripture
- Isa 49:15, Gal 3:13, Heb 9:26, Heb 12:2
- Imagery & language
- Mother-love; curse; cross; atonement.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — vicarious atonement.
- Connection to previous
- Deeper than mother-love.
His loving heart still remains a haven for the heavily burdened; Christ frees them from their guilty stains and eases and gladdens their burdened hearts. He throws the load of their sin into the bottomless sea; he gives assurance by his Spirit that they are saved through his own merit. Yes, those who believe this will live: my Savior receives sinners.
'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden' (Matt 11:28). 'You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea' (Mic 7:19). 'The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit' (Rom 8:16).
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28, Mic 7:19, Rom 8:16, Rom 4:5
- Imagery & language
- Haven; stains freed; sins in the sea; assurance.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — forgiveness and assurance.
- Connection to previous
- Into the sea.
Do not say, 'My sins are far too great; I have scorned and ignored his mercy; now my repentance is too late; I did not come when his love invited me.' Trembling sinner, do not fear; come to Christ in repentance. Come now, though your conscience still accuses you; accept his ever-abiding mercy. Come; blessed are those who believe this: my Savior receives sinners.
The thief received at the last hour (Luke 23:43). 'Whoever comes to me I will never cast out' (John 6:37). 'Though your sins are like scarlet' (Isa 1:18). AC XII.1-2: absolution not denied to the penitent.
- Scripture
- Luke 23:43, John 6:37, Isa 1:18, 1 John 3:20
- Imagery & language
- Too great; too late; trembling sinner; come now.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — despair answered; Gospel — come.
- Connection to previous
- Not too late.
Draw us always to you, Friend of sinners, gracious Savior; help us fervently desire your pardon, peace and favor. When a guilty conscience accuses, show us your loving heart. As we see our misery, may we see your pardoning grace unfold and say: 'To God be all glory: my Savior Christ receives me.'
'A friend of tax collectors and sinners' (Luke 7:34). 'No one can come to me unless the Father… draws him' (John 6:44). 'Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart' (1 John 3:20).
- Scripture
- Luke 7:34, John 6:44, 1 John 3:20
- Imagery & language
- Draw us; Friend of sinners; guilty conscience; receiveth me.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — 'receiveth me.'
- Connection to previous
- Receiveth me.
Themes
Grace and forgiveness Repentance Jesus's compassion for sinners God's mercy