Now Let Us Come Before Him
Now let us come before Him
Now Let Us Come Before Him is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in CW21 369, CW93 74, lw 184, tlh 122. Sung to ERFURT.
This hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on congregational approach to God through Christ's work, reflecting the priesthood of all believers and confidence in God's covenant promises. It expresses the Lutheran balance between reverent awe before God's majesty and intimate access through prayer.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Nun laßt uns gehn und treten' was published in his Gesangbuch (1602) and became a standard Lutheran devotional hymn. English translations appeared in various Lutheran hymnals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 369
- Christian Worship — 74
- Lutheran Worship — 184
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 122
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Martin Behm in 1602, this hymn celebrates Luther's recovery of the priesthood of all believers—the revolutionary truth that every baptized Christian may approach God directly, not through priestly gatekeepers, but through Christ alone.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel movement by beginning in humble reverence before God's majesty, then pivoting to Gospel confidence in Christ's mediation, making it a perfect congregational response to proclamation that moves from conviction to assurance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's compassionate presence amid human suffering and social chaos, calling the Church to incarnational witness and mercy
Background Research
Gerhardt, written as a deacon at the Nikolaikirche, Berlin, and first printed in the New Year section of Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica (1653). Fifteen 4-line stanzas (AABB): the first part looks back on the hardships of the year just past, with the Thirty Years' War having devastated Brandenburg; the second prays for the year ahead, following the order of the General Prayer: the church, clergy, widows and orphans, the emperor and nation, peace, good harvests, enemies, and all in need. That makes it the church's intercessions set as a New Year hymn, good for analysis. Written to the existing melody of Helmbold's 'Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herren' (Selnecker 1587, adapted by Crüger). In dark times it was a lifeline: Jochen Klepper noted its comfort in 1942, and Hildegard Schaeder copied it out while imprisoned at Ravensbrück. Reger set it for women's voices. Kelly's English 1867.
Sources: Wikipedia 'Nun lasst uns gehn und treten'.
Overview
Paul Gerhardt's New Year's hymn, written in the years just after the Thirty Years' War. In short, gentle stanzas it calls the congregation to come before God with song and prayer (st. 1), as the stream of years flows on and we live by his mercy (st. 2), through times of anguish and war (st. 3). God shields his own as a mother watches over sleeping children in a storm (st. 4-5). Then it turns to intercession: bless our work (st. 6), be near us in crosses (st. 7), give patience (st. 8), help the poor, forlorn and erring (st. 9), comfort the sick (st. 10), and above all send the Holy Spirit (st. 11), ending with a prayer for 'Thy New Year's blessing' (st. 12). It is a model of Lutheran general prayer in verse.
Central theme: Entering the new year under God's motherly care, praying for blessing on work, the suffering, and above all the gift of the Spirit
Structure
Twelve 7.7.7.7 quatrains. Call to worship (1) — passing years and troubles (2-3) — the mother simile (4-5) — intercessions (6-10) — the Spirit (11) — New Year's blessing (12).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: God's mercy, shielding, caress, Spirit. Realism: woe, anguish, war, sickness, erring children (3, 9-10).
Confessional Connections
God's providence through changing years (SC First Article). The motherly simile for God's care (Isa 66:13) — Gerhardt's tenderness. Intercession for all estates, the poor, the sick and the erring follows the pattern of the Church's general prayer and Litany (1 Tim 2:1). 'Above all else… Thy Spirit' — Luke 11:13; the Spirit's gift is the greatest blessing (SC Second Petition; LC III.51-54). Work prospers only with God's blessing (Ps 127:1; LC I.vocation).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
New Year's Eve and Day; anniversaries; times of war or calamity.
Historical Notes
Printed in Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica (1653), five years after the Peace of Westphalia. Kelly (1833-1890) translated Gerhardt's complete hymns.
About the Tune
NUN LASST UNS GOTT, DEM HERREN (Christliche Psalmen, Leipzig, 1587).
Scripture References
Ps 91:1 Ps 95:2 Ps 90:1-12 Lam 3:22-23 Matt 24:6 Isa 66:13 Isa 49:15 Ps 91:4 Deut 33:27 Ps 121:3-4 Ps 127:1 Ps 90:17 2 Cor 1:3-4 Rom 12:12 Ps 68:5 Luke 15:4 Jas 5:14-15 Luke 11:13 John 16:13 Num 6:24-26 Acts 17:25, 28
Stanza by Stanza
Now let us come before him and worship him with song and prayer, who has given our life all the strength it needs from heaven.
'Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving' (Ps 95:2). 'In him we live and move' (Acts 17:28). Ps 91:1 (TLH's text): dwelling in the shelter of the Most High.
- Scripture
- Ps 95:2, Ps 91:1, Acts 17:25, 28
- Imagery & language
- Coming before God.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — strength given.
- Connection to previous
- Call.
The stream of years flows on and we go forward, surviving from old year to new and thriving by his mercy.
'Our years come to an end like a sigh' (Ps 90:9). We survive 'by His mercy' (Lam 3:22-23), not by our own strength.
- Scripture
- Ps 90:4-12, Lam 3:22-23, Ps 39:4-5
- Imagery & language
- Stream of years.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mercy sustains.
- Connection to previous
- Passing years.
In sorrow we often languish and pass through times of anguish, of wars and fear that alarm every nation.
Written in the wake of the Thirty Years' War. 'You will hear of wars and rumors of wars' (Matt 24:6). Honest lament.
- Scripture
- Matt 24:6-8, Ps 46:1-3
- Imagery & language
- Woe; wars.
- Law / Gospel
- Lament.
- Connection to previous
- Woe and war.
As mothers keep watch over sleeping children, calming their fear and sorrow when angry storms rage —
A tender image of God: 'As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you' (Isa 66:13); 'Can a woman forget her nursing child?' (Isa 49:15). The sentence continues into st. 5.
- Scripture
- Isa 66:13, Isa 49:15
- Imagery & language
- Watching mother; storm.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — motherly care.
- Connection to previous
- Mother.
so God shields his own and gives them help. When need and sorrow distress them, his loving arms hold them.
'Underneath are the everlasting arms' (Deut 33:27). 'He will cover you with his pinions' (Ps 91:4).
- Scripture
- Deut 33:27, Ps 91:4, Isa 40:11
- Imagery & language
- Shield; loving arms.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — protection.
- Connection to previous
- Shielding.
You who never sleep, remove whatever hinders our work, which never prospers unless you bless it.
Ps 121:3-4. 'Unless the LORD builds the house…' (Ps 127:1); 'establish the work of our hands' (Ps 90:17). Vocation blessed by God.
- Scripture
- Ps 121:3-4, Ps 127:1, Ps 90:17
- Imagery & language
- Sleepless God; work blessed.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing on work.
- Connection to previous
- Our work.
God of mercy, hear us; our Father, be near us; among crosses and sadness be our fountain of gladness.
'Father of mercies and God of all comfort' (2 Cor 1:3). God as 'fountain' of joy (Ps 36:9).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 1:3-4, Ps 36:9, Ps 145:18
- Imagery & language
- Father near; fount of gladness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — comfort in crosses.
- Connection to previous
- Near us.
To all who bow before you and plead for your grace, grant your blessing and patience in suffering.
'Be patient in tribulation, constant in prayer' (Rom 12:12).
- Scripture
- Rom 12:12, Jas 1:3-4
- Imagery & language
- Benediction; patience.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing and patience.
- Connection to previous
- Blessing.
Be a quick helper to all the poor and needy, a Father to all who are forsaken; gather your wandering children.
'Father of the fatherless' (Ps 68:5). Gathering the erring — the lost sheep (Luke 15:4). Intercession for the straying is a Lutheran pastoral concern.
- Scripture
- Ps 68:5, Ps 70:5, Luke 15:4-7
- Imagery & language
- Poor; forlorn; erring children.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — intercession.
- Connection to previous
- The needy.
Be with the sick and suffering as their unfailing Comforter; drive away grief and sadness and give them joy and gladness.
Prayer for the sick (Jas 5:14-15). God as 'Comforter' (2 Cor 1:4).
- Scripture
- Jas 5:14-15, 2 Cor 1:4, Ps 41:3
- Imagery & language
- Sick; Comforter.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — comfort for the sick.
- Connection to previous
- The sick.
Above all else, Lord, send us your Spirit to be with us, living in our hearts and guiding our steps to heaven.
'How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!' (Luke 11:13). The Spirit as guide (John 16:13). 'Above all else' — the chief gift (SC Second Petition: 'when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit').
- Scripture
- Luke 11:13, John 16:13, Rom 8:14
- Imagery & language
- Spirit abiding; heavenward guidance.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's gift.
- Connection to previous
- The Spirit.
Your hand gives all this, you Life from whom our life flows. To all who confess your name, Lord, grant your New Year's blessing.
God the source of life (Ps 36:9; Acts 17:25). The 'New Year's blessing' — the Aaronic blessing given at the year's turn (Num 6:24-26).
- Scripture
- Ps 36:9, Acts 17:25, Num 6:24-26
- Imagery & language
- Life's source; New Year's blessing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing.
- Connection to previous
- Blessing.
Themes
Reverence and worship Approach to God Prayer and devotion God's protection Trust in Providence