Oh for a Faith that Will Not Shrink
Oh for a faith that will not shrink
Oh for a Faith that Will Not Shrink is a hymn text by William Bathurst (1831) in C.M. meter. Found in lw 292, th 706, tlh 396. Sung to CAMBRIDGE.
This hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on justifying faith as active trust in Christ rather than mere intellectual assent, addressing the constant struggle between faith and doubt in the Christian life. It presents faith as both gift and the necessary fruit of sanctification, connecting to Luther's understanding of faith working through love.
History & Background
Written by English clergyman William Bathurst in 1831, this hymn addresses the disciples' request in Luke 17:5 for increased faith. It was first published in Bathurst's collection and became widely used in British and American Protestant hymnals throughout the nineteenth century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 292
- Trinity Hymnal — 706
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 396
Bulletin Note
Written by English clergyman William Bathurst in 1831, this hymn captures the Protestant conviction that faith is trusting reliance on Christ rather than mere doctrinal assent, reflecting Luther's pastoral wisdom on the Christian's daily struggle.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel's answer to the Law's exposure of our fear and spiritual cowardice by celebrating faith as an active, persevering trust—the very fruit of the Spirit that proves justification alive in us.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological affirmation moving from Christ's cosmic victory, through his redemptive work and present intercession, to his universal dominion, and concluding with the ecclesiological union of believers in him
Background Research
TLH 396. William Hiley Bathurst (b. Clevedale near Bristol, 28 Aug 1796; d. Lydney Park, 25 Nov 1877), educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. Rector of Barwick-in-Elmet near Leeds 1820–52, he resigned because he could not reconcile his doctrinal views with the Book of Common Prayer (from memory: the baptismal service). He also translated Virgil's Georgics (1849). Published 1831 in his Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use (no. 86), titled "The Power of Faith": 6 stanzas. Julian says most books, A&M included, drop stanza 4, which he thinks an improvement, and that it was especially popular in America. Tunes: AZMON (Mason, from Gläser, 1828), ARLINGTON, EVAN (Havergal) (Hymnary/Julian).
Overview
William Hiley Bathurst's prayer for steadfast faith, based on 'Lord, increase our faith' (Luke 17:5). A faith that does not shrink before foes, poverty or woe (st. 1); that does not murmur under discipline but leans on God (st. 2); that shines brighter in storms (st. 3); unmoved by the world's frown or smile, unconquered by sin or Satan (st. 4); that keeps the narrow way to death (st. 5); 'Lord, give us such a faith as this' (st. 6). The final stanza makes it a prayer: such faith is God's gift.
Central theme: A prayer for faith strong enough to endure every trial, received as God's gift
Structure
Five long descriptive clauses (st. 1-5, one sentence) culminating in the petition (st. 6). Common meter.
Law & Gospel Shape
Implicitly Law (the standard described exceeds us); resolved as Gospel in the prayer 'give us such a faith' (6).
Confessional Connections
Luke 17:5 (TLH's text): 'Increase our faith!' St. 1-5 describe faith's endurance in affliction — not a work we produce but trust that 'can lean upon its God' (st. 2); St. 6 rightly turns the description into prayer: 'Lord, give us such a faith as this' — faith is the Spirit's gift (Eph 2:8; FC II; SC Third Article). St. 3, 'In darkness feels no doubt,' is aspirational — Lutherans acknowledge that believers do experience doubt and weak faith, which still grasps Christ (Ap IV.270-272; 'help my unbelief,' Mark 9:24).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Trinity season; times of trial; confirmation; Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Historical Notes
Bathurst (1796-1877), Anglican rector of Barwick-in-Elmet; published in his Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use (1831). He later resigned over doctrinal scruples about the Prayer Book.
About the Tune
ST. PETER (Alexander R. Reinagle, 1836).
Scripture References
Luke 17:5 Heb 11:1 Heb 12:5-11 Phil 4:11-12 Mark 4:37-40 Isa 26:3 1 John 5:4 Eph 6:16 Matt 7:13-14 Rev 2:10 Mark 9:24 Eph 2:8
Stanza by Stanza
Oh, for a faith that will not shrink back though pressed by many enemies; that will not tremble on the edge of poverty or sorrow;
'Increase our faith!' (Luke 17:5). 'I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content' (Phil 4:11).
- Scripture
- Luke 17:5, Phil 4:11-12
- Imagery & language
- Faith unshrinking; foes; poverty; woe.
- Law / Gospel
- Prayer for steadfast faith.
- Connection to previous
- Not shrink.
that will not grumble or complain under the rod of discipline, but in the hour of grief or pain can lean on its God;
'The Lord disciplines the one he loves' (Heb 12:6). 'Do all things without grumbling' (Phil 2:14).
- Scripture
- Heb 12:5-11, Phil 2:14
- Imagery & language
- Chastening rod; no murmur; lean on God.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — leaning on God.
- Connection to previous
- Lean on God.
a faith that shines brighter and clearer when storms rage outside; that knows no fear in danger and feels no doubt in darkness;
Jesus in the storm: 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' (Mark 4:40). 'You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you' (Isa 26:3).
- Scripture
- Mark 4:37-40, Isa 26:3
- Imagery & language
- Brighter in tempests; no fear; no doubt.
- Law / Gospel
- Prayer for faith's peace.
- Connection to previous
- In tempests.
that bears the world's dreadful frown unmoved and ignores its scornful smile; that sin's wild ocean cannot drown nor Satan's tricks deceive;
'This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith' (1 John 5:4). 'The shield of faith… extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one' (Eph 6:16).
- Scripture
- 1 John 5:4, Eph 6:16
- Imagery & language
- World's frown and smile; sin's ocean; Satan's arts.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith's victory.
- Connection to previous
- Unmoved.
a faith that keeps to the narrow way until life's last spark is gone and lights up the deathbed with a pure, heavenly ray.
'The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life' (Matt 7:14). 'Be faithful unto death' (Rev 2:10).
- Scripture
- Matt 7:13-14, Rev 2:10
- Imagery & language
- Narrow way; last spark; dying bed lit.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith in death.
- Connection to previous
- To the end.
Lord, give us faith like this; and then, whatever may come, we will taste even now the holy bliss of an eternal home.
'I believe; help my unbelief!' (Mark 9:24). Faith 'is the gift of God' (Eph 2:8). Foretaste of heaven (Heb 6:5).
- Scripture
- Mark 9:24, Eph 2:8, Heb 6:5
- Imagery & language
- Give us such faith; whate'er may come; foretaste.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — faith as gift.
- Connection to previous
- Give us such faith.
Themes
Faith and trust Perseverance in adversity Growth in grace Courage under trial