O Bride of Christ, Rejoice
O Bride of Christ, rejoice
O Bride of Christ, Rejoice is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by The Lutheran Hymnal (translation committee). Found in lsb 335, lw 20, tlh 57. Sung to GOTT SEI DANK.
The hymn celebrates the Church as the Bride of Christ, emphasizing the Easter victory and the believer's participation in Christ's triumph over sin and death. This reflects Lutheran theology's emphasis on justification by faith and the mystical union between Christ and His Church.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this hymn in early 17th-century Germany as a jubilant Easter proclamation. It was first published in German hymnals and later translated into English, becoming a standard Lutheran Easter hymn featured in TLH (1941) and subsequent Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Service Book — 335
- Lutheran Worship — 20
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 57
Translation
The Lutheran Hymnal (translation committee)
Bulletin Note
Written by Martin Behm in 1610, this Easter hymn portrays the Church as Christ's Bride. It reflects the Lutheran conviction that we are united to Christ through faith, sharing in His resurrection victory and destined for eternal fellowship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies Luther's theology of justification: the Law condemns us utterly, yet the Gospel clothes us as Christ's spotless Bride, lifting us into unshakeable joy.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
A Scandinavian Advent hymn on the Palm Sunday entry (Luke 19:28-40), with the refrain 'Hosanna, praise, and glory! / Our King, we bow before Thee.' The church as Christ's bride is called to rejoice (st. 1-2); the King comes without a crown or splendor (st. 3); he is gentle with the weak (st. 4); the heart is opened to him (st. 5); palms and garments are spread (st. 6); and children and all nations join the praise (st. 7). It holds together the lowliness of the King and his universal reign.
Central theme: The church welcoming her lowly King with Hosannas and an opened heart
Structure
Seven stanzas with the same refrain; narrative of the entry interwoven with application to the believer.
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: the King comes meek and kind, giving treasure to the weak.
Confessional Connections
Christ's humiliation (FC VIII) — he 'wears no kingly crown'; his gracious rule over the weak (Isa 42:3); the church as bride.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
First Sunday in Advent (Palm Sunday Gospel); Palm Sunday.
Historical Notes
A Danish hymn of the late 16th/early 17th century; Petersen translated it for Norwegian-American use in 1899.
About the Tune
WO SOLL ICH FLIEHEN HIN (17th-century German melody).
Scripture References
Luke 19:28-40 Matt 21:1-11 Zech 9:9 Isa 62:11 Isa 42:3 Rev 3:20 Matt 21:15-16 Rev 19:7
Stanza by Stanza
Bride of Christ, rejoice and lift your voice to welcome the day of glory foretold in Scripture; hosanna, praise, and glory; our King, we bow before you.
The church as bride (Eph 5:25-27; Rev 19:7). 'The day of glory / Foretold in sacred story' — Zech 9:9 ('Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion… your king is coming to you'), fulfilled on Palm Sunday (Matt 21:4-5). The refrain joins the crowd's Hosanna (Matt 21:9) with the posture of worship.
- Scripture
- Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:7, Zech 9:9, Matt 21:4-9
- Imagery & language
- Bride; day of glory; bowing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the King foretold comes.
- Connection to previous
- Call to rejoice.
Let shouts of joy rise to heaven; the glorious King now comes to reign victoriously over all.
The joy of the crowd (Luke 19:37). 'To reign o'er all victorious' — Christ's universal kingship (Phil 2:9-11). Advent proclaims the King who comes in humility now and in glory later.
- Scripture
- Luke 19:37-38, Phil 2:9-11, Ps 47:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Shouts; triumph.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the victorious King.
- Connection to previous
- The King comes.
He wears no royal crown, yet he is known as King; though he is not dressed in splendor —
The paradox of the lowly King: no crown (until the crown of thorns), no royal robes, riding a donkey (Zech 9:9; Phil 2:7). Yet he is truly King. The theology of the cross: glory hidden under humility. CCEL's text appears to be missing a line here (the stanza should have six lines); the sense is that though not arrayed in splendor, he is still the King of glory.
- Scripture
- Zech 9:9, Phil 2:6-8, Isa 53:2, John 18:36-37
- Imagery & language
- No crown; no splendor.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — hidden majesty.
- Connection to previous
- The lowly King (source line missing).
The weak and fearful discover how gentle and kind he is; he gives them a treasure of happiness beyond measure.
Matt 11:29 ('I am gentle and lowly in heart'); Isa 42:3 ('a bruised reed he will not break'). Christ comes especially for the weak and fearful — the Gospel for the terrified conscience. 'A treasure / Of bliss' (Matt 13:44; Eph 1:3).
- Scripture
- Matt 11:28-29, Isa 42:3, Matt 13:44, Eph 1:3
- Imagery & language
- Weak and timid; meekness; treasure.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — gentleness to the weak.
- Connection to previous
- Gentleness.
Open your heart wide and invite Christ to stay with you; he will hear you graciously and always be near.
The gates of Jerusalem become the believer's heart (Ps 24:7; Rev 3:20). 'Bid Christ with thee abide' (Luke 24:29). Even the opening of the heart is the Spirit's work (Acts 16:14), but the hymn addresses the believer with invitation.
- Scripture
- Ps 24:7, Rev 3:20, Luke 24:29, Acts 16:14, Heb 13:5
- Imagery & language
- Opened heart; abiding.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel invitation.
- Connection to previous
- Open your heart.
Go out to meet your Lord, scatter palm branches at his feet, spread your garments before him, and honor and adore him.
Matt 21:8 ('Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches'). Applied spiritually: laying down what we have before Christ. Garments recall 2 Kings 9:13 (Jehu's acclamation).
- Scripture
- Matt 21:8, John 12:13, 2 Kings 9:13
- Imagery & language
- Palms; garments spread.
- Law / Gospel
- Response — worship.
- Connection to previous
- Palms and garments.
Even infants together will praise the Lord with you, and every Gentile nation will respond with joy.
Matt 21:15-16 (children crying Hosanna; 'Out of the mouth of infants… you have prepared praise,' quoting Ps 8:2). 'Every Gentile nation' — the Gospel to the nations (Rom 15:9-12; Rev 7:9). Advent's King is King of all peoples.
- Scripture
- Matt 21:15-16, Ps 8:2, Rom 15:9-12, Rev 7:9
- Imagery & language
- Babes; Gentile nations.
- Law / Gospel
- Doxology — universal praise.
- Connection to previous
- Children and nations.
Themes
The Church as Bride of Christ Resurrection triumph Joy in salvation Christian confidence Eschatological hope