O Lord Our Father shall We be Confounded
O Lord our Father, shall we be confounded
O Lord Our Father shall We be Confounded is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in ELH 213, tlh 269.
The hymn expresses confidence in God's faithfulness and protection against shame and abandonment, grounding petitionary prayer in the promises of the Psalms. This reflects the Lutheran emphasis on the comfort of God's Word and the assurance of the covenant for troubled consciences.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Herr, sollen wir denn gar verstoßen sein' was published in his 1610 hymnal and reflects the devotional theology of Lutheran Baroque piety. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection, making this text accessible to English-speaking Lutherans.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 213
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 269
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written in 1610 by German Lutheran poet Martin Behm, this hymn meditates on Psalm 31, turning personal anguish into communal prayer. It reflects the Reformation's deep pastoral care for the troubled conscience.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human vulnerability into a petition grounded in Gospel promise, making it a powerful congregational response to preaching that moves from sin's shame to Christ's unfailing faithfulness.
Overview
Another Heermann prayer from the war years, in the Sapphic meter of 'Herzliebster Jesu.' Shall those who rely on God alone be put to shame? (st. 1); shame the defiant who trust their own might, and quicken the hope of the poor (st. 2); be our Helper and Defender — the foes are defeated before their plans are done (st. 3); trust in man is vain; with God leading, the battle is glorious (st. 4); 'Thou art our Hero… for Jesus' sake be near us' (st. 5).
Central theme: Those who trust God alone will not be put to shame; God is the Church's Hero against all who rely on their own might
Structure
Five Sapphic stanzas (11.11.11.5). The question (1) — shame the proud (2) — defeat before completion (3) — trust not in man (4) — Hero (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: foes' defiance; 'vain to trust in man' (2, 4). Gospel: 'In mercy turn to us'; 'for Jesus' sake be near us' (2, 5).
Confessional Connections
Ps 22:5 (TLH's text): 'They trusted in you and were not put to shame.' 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame' (Rom 10:11). St. 4: 'Tis vain to trust in man' (Ps 118:8-9; Jer 17:5) — the First Commandment (LC I: 'that upon which you set your heart… is your God'). St. 5: 'For Jesus' sake' — prayer is heard only through Christ (John 16:23; Ap IV on the Mediator). Christ as 'Hero' (German Held) — the Divine Warrior (Exod 15:3).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Times of war or persecution; prayer for the Church; Lent.
Historical Notes
Heermann published it in Devoti Musica Cordis (1630). Winkworth translated it in Christian Singers of Germany (1869).
About the Tune
HERZLIEBSTER JESU (Johann Crüger, 1640).
Scripture References
Ps 22:5 Ps 25:2-3 Rom 10:11 Ps 20:7 Ps 33:16-17 Ps 46:1 Ps 2:4 Ps 118:8-9 Jer 17:5-7 Exod 15:3 Luke 12:32 John 16:23
Stanza by Stanza
Lord, our Father, will we be put to shame, we who, though surrounded by trials and woes, still rely on you alone for help and cry to you?
'To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame' (Ps 22:5). 'None who wait for you shall be put to shame' (Ps 25:3).
- Scripture
- Ps 22:5, Ps 25:2-3, Rom 10:11
- Imagery & language
- Confounded?; trials; relying; crying.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the promise not to shame.
- Connection to previous
- Shall we be shamed?
Lord, put to shame your enemies who breathe defiance and vainly rely on their might alone; in mercy turn to us, the poor and afflicted, to revive our hope.
'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD' (Ps 20:7). 'The king is not saved by his great army' (Ps 33:16).
- Scripture
- Ps 20:7, Ps 33:16-17
- Imagery & language
- Defiant foes; might; poor and stricken.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — false trust; Gospel — mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Shame the proud.
Be our Helper and strong Defender; speak to our enemies and make them surrender. Yes, long before their plans are completed, they are defeated.
'God is our refuge and strength' (Ps 46:1). 'He who sits in the heavens laughs… Then he will speak to them in his wrath' (Ps 2:4-5).
- Scripture
- Ps 46:1, Ps 2:4-5, Ps 33:10
- Imagery & language
- Helper; Defender; defeated before completion.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God's sovereign defense.
- Connection to previous
- Defender.
It is useless to trust in people; for you alone, Lord, are the defense and comfort of the lonely. With you leading, the battle will be glorious and we will be victorious.
'It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man' (Ps 118:8). 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man… Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD' (Jer 17:5-7).
- Scripture
- Ps 118:8-9, Jer 17:5-7, Ps 68:5-6
- Imagery & language
- Vain trust in man; Defense of the lonely; victory.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — idolatry of man; Gospel — God's leadership.
- Connection to previous
- Not in man.
You are our Hero, conquering all our enemies; save your little flock that they are chasing. We seek your help; for Jesus' sake be near us. Great Helper, hear us!
'The LORD is a man of war' (Exod 15:3). 'Fear not, little flock' (Luke 12:32). 'Whatever you ask of the Father in my name' (John 16:23).
- Scripture
- Exod 15:3, Luke 12:32, John 16:23
- Imagery & language
- Hero; little flock; for Jesus' sake.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — heard for Christ's sake.
- Connection to previous
- Hero.
Themes
Trust in God's faithfulness Deliverance from shame Prayer and petition God's covenant promises Faith amid suffering