Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise
Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise is a hymn text by John Ellerton (1870) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in CW21 931, CW93 321, ELH 597, ch95 184. Sung to CHRISTE SANCTORUM.
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on God's protective care through the night and the peace that comes from trust in divine blessing, echoing the Aaronic blessing. It embodies the Lutheran understanding of evening as a time to commend oneself to God's safekeeping and to acknowledge human dependence on divine grace.
History & Background
Written by John Ellerton in 1870 for evening worship services, this hymn became one of the most beloved English evening hymns. It was first published in "Hymns, Ancient and Modern" and has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 19th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 931
- Christian Worship — 321
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 597
- Chalice Hymnal — 184
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 567
- The Hymnal 1982 — 345
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 262
- Lutheran Service Book — 917
- Lutheran Worship — 221
- New Century Hymnal — 89
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 47
- United Methodist Hymnal — 664
Bulletin Note
Written by John Ellerton in 1870, this evening hymn draws on the Aaronic blessing and the Lutheran tradition of commending oneself to God's safekeeping at day's end, expressing the grace that guards us through all darkness.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms our awareness of human frailty (Law) into confident surrender to Christ's eternal watchfulness (Gospel), making it a natural companion to any sermon on God's protective providence or the comfort of the cross.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Trinitarian invocation moving from individual divine attributes (mercy, redemption, comfort) to unified corporate worship, culminating in doxological affirmation of eternal divine constancy
In the Church Year
Suggested in the three-year series
- Easter 2 (4×)
- Proper 23 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A closing hymn by Anglican priest John Ellerton. After a parting hymn of praise and waiting for the benediction (st. 1), it prays three times for 'Thy peace': on the way home (st. 2), through the night (st. 3), and through life until eternal peace (st. 4). It extends the Aaronic benediction's 'give you peace' over all of life.
Central theme: Christ's peace carried from worship into daily life, night, and death
Structure
Parting praise (1), then three petitions for peace widening in scope: the homeward way, the night, the whole life (2-4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel; sin and shame named briefly (st. 2).
Confessional Connections
The benediction as a real bestowal of God's blessing, not a mere wish.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Closing hymn; evening services; after the benediction.
Historical Notes
Ellerton (1826-1893) also wrote 'The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.' Written for a choral festival in 1866.
About the Tune
ELLERS (Edward J. Hopkins, 1869) — quiet, prayerful.
Scripture References
Num 6:24-26 John 14:27 Ps 139:11-12 Ps 4:8 Phil 4:7 Luke 2:29
Stanza by Stanza
At the end of worship the congregation together sings a parting hymn of praise, blesses Christ once more, and bows to await his word of peace.
'With one accord' (Acts 2:46). 'Wait Thy word of peace' refers to the benediction, which in Lutheran understanding actually bestows the blessing it speaks (Num 6:27, 'they shall put my name upon the people, and I will bless them'). 'Lowly bending' — receiving the blessing in humility. The name of Jesus is 'dear' — personal love.
- Scripture
- Acts 2:46, Num 6:22-27, Luke 24:50-51, Phil 2:9-10
- Imagery & language
- Bowing; waiting for a word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — awaiting the blessing.
- Connection to previous
- Opening — end of the service.
Give us your peace on the way home; the day began and ends with you; guard lips from sin and hearts from shame for those who called on your name here.
Christ's peace (John 14:27) goes with the worshipers into daily life. 'With Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day' — the whole day framed by God. The prayer to guard lips and hearts acknowledges that those who worship still sin (Ps 141:3; Jas 3:9-10 — the same mouth blessing and cursing).
- Scripture
- John 14:27, Ps 141:3, Jas 3:9-10, Ps 19:14
- Imagery & language
- Homeward road; guarded lips.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel with a brief Law note.
- Connection to previous
- First petition: daily life.
Give us your peace through the night; turn its darkness to light, keep us from harm, for darkness and light are alike to you.
Night as a time of vulnerability and fear (Ps 91:5). 'Dark and light are both alike to Thee' quotes Ps 139:12. Luther's Evening Prayer asks similarly for protection through the night. Night may also symbolize trouble and death.
- Scripture
- Ps 139:11-12, Ps 4:8, Ps 91:5-6, Ps 121:4
- Imagery & language
- Night and light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — protection.
- Connection to previous
- Second petition: the night.
Give us your peace through life, as comfort in sorrow and support in strife; and when your voice ends our conflict, call us to your eternal peace.
The widest petition, covering all of life and death. 'When Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease' — death as Christ's call (John 5:25; 1 Thess 4:16). 'Eternal peace' (Isa 57:2; Rev 14:13). Simeon's prayer ('Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace,' Luke 2:29) stands behind the whole hymn.
- Scripture
- Phil 4:7, Luke 2:29, John 5:25, Rev 14:13, Isa 57:2
- Imagery & language
- Balm and stay; conflict ceasing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — peace in death and eternity.
- Connection to previous
- Final petition: life and death.
Themes
Evening benediction Divine protection Blessing and peace Close of day Trust in God's care