Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven
Redeemed, restored, forgiven
Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven is a hymn text by Unknown (1900) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Found in tlh 32.
The hymn celebrates the central Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith, emphasizing God's restoration of sinners through Christ's redemption. It reflects the joy of the redeemed sinner receiving divine forgiveness and restoration to fellowship with God.
History & Background
This hymn appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 32. The authorship and origin details remain obscure in standard hymnological references.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 32
Bulletin Note
From the early twentieth century, this hymn distills the Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith into a joyful affirmation that Christ restores sinners to fellowship with God through redemption, not works.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Gospel response to the Law's accusation, moving hearers from the recognition of spiritual loss into the joy of unearned restoration through Christ's grace—a perfect musical proclamation of justification by faith.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
A hymn of thanksgiving for redemption by Henry Williams Baker (compare TLH 170). Redeemed, restored and forgiven through Christ's blood, heirs of heaven, we praise the God who gave his Son and whose sevenfold Spirit enriches and sanctifies (st. 1). We wandered far from the cleansing fountain, but Jesus sought and found us and bound us with cords of love (st. 2). 'Not ours, not ours, the merit; be Thine alone the praise' (st. 3). It ends with a prayer for perseverance until the new creation (st. 4). A clear and singable statement of salvation by grace alone.
Central theme: Praise for redemption by Christ's blood, given by grace alone to wandering sinners, with prayer to persevere
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6 D). Redeemed (1) — sought and found (2) — no merit of ours (3) — perseverance (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'we wandered far and wide, far from the cleansing fountain' (2). Gospel: 'Jesus sought and found us and washed our guilt away' (2); 'Not ours… the merit' (3).
Confessional Connections
'Not ours, not ours, the merit; be Thine alone the praise' — sola gratia (AC IV; Ap IV; Eph 2:8-9). Christ the seeker (Luke 15:4) — conversion is God's work (FC II). 'Sevenfold treasures' — the Spirit's gifts (Isa 11:2; Veni Creator 'sevenfold gifts'), who sanctifies (SC Third Article). 'The grace to persevere' — perseverance is a gift (FC XI). Creation's 'travail' (Rom 8:22) ends in the new creation (AC XVII).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Thanksgiving for redemption; general praise; Trinity season; Easter season.
Historical Notes
Baker (1821-1877) wrote it in 1876 for Hymns Ancient and Modern.
About the Tune
ICH DANK' DIR, LIEBER HERRE (Musica Deutsch, Nürnberg, 1532).
Scripture References
Luke 15:24 Eph 1:7 1 Pet 1:18-19 Rom 8:17 John 3:16 Isa 11:2 Luke 15:4-7 Isa 53:6 Zech 13:1 John 19:34 Hos 11:4 John 10:28 Eph 2:8-9 Rom 3:27 Luke 17:10 1 Pet 1:5 Rom 8:21-23 2 Pet 3:13
Stanza by Stanza
Redeemed, restored and forgiven through Jesus' precious blood, heirs of his home in heaven — praise our forgiving God! Praise him in tuneful songs, who gave his Son to die; praise him whose sevenfold treasures enrich and sanctify.
Three gifts: redeemed (1 Pet 1:18-19), restored (the prodigal: 'was dead, and is alive again,' Luke 15:24, TLH's text), forgiven (Eph 1:7). Heirs (Rom 8:17). 'Sevenfold treasures' — the Spirit's gifts (Isa 11:2).
- Scripture
- Luke 15:24, 1 Pet 1:18-19, Eph 1:7, Rom 8:17, John 3:16, Isa 11:2
- Imagery & language
- Redeemed, restored, forgiven; sevenfold treasures.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — threefold gift.
- Connection to previous
- Redeemed.
Once we wandered far and wide on the dreary mountain, far from the cleansing fountain, far from the pierced side; but Jesus searched for us, found us, and washed our guilt away; he bound us with cords of love to be his own forever.
The lost sheep on the mountains (Luke 15:4; Matt 18:12). 'All we like sheep have gone astray' (Isa 53:6). The fountain and the pierced side (Zech 13:1; John 19:34). 'I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love' (Hos 11:4).
- Scripture
- Luke 15:4-7, Isa 53:6, Zech 13:1, John 19:34, Hos 11:4, John 10:28
- Imagery & language
- Dreary mountain; pierced side; cords of love.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — wandering; Gospel — sought and found.
- Connection to previous
- Sought and found.
Dear Master, the glory for every recovered soul is yours. Who can tell the story of the love that made us whole? The merit is not ours, not ours; let the praise be yours alone, and let ours be a thankful spirit to serve you all our days.
'Not a result of works, so that no one may boast' (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 3:27). The doubled 'Not ours, not ours' is the hymn's confession. Service as thanks, not merit (Luke 17:10; AC VI).
- Scripture
- Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:27, 1 Cor 15:10, Luke 17:10
- Imagery & language
- Glory His; merit not ours; thankful service.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sola gratia.
- Connection to previous
- Not ours.
Holy Savior, keep us now in your true love and fear, and in your favor grant us the grace to persevere, until in your new creation, when earth's long labor is over, we find our full salvation and praise you forever.
Perseverance as grace (1 Pet 1:5; FC XI). Creation 'groaning together in the pains of childbirth' (Rom 8:22) until 'new heavens and a new earth' (2 Pet 3:13). 'Full salvation' — glorification (Rom 8:23).
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 1:5, Jude 24, Rom 8:21-23, 2 Pet 3:13
- Imagery & language
- Keep us; persevere; new creation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — perseverance and glory.
- Connection to previous
- Keep us.
Themes
Redemption Restoration Forgiveness Joy in salvation God's grace