Savior Again to Your Dear Name We Raise
Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise
This hymn reflects Lutheran theology by invoking God's protective presence throughout the day and evening, affirming trust in divine providence. It exemplifies the Reformation emphasis on direct address to God and the priesthood of believers in communal prayer.
History & Background
Written by John Ellerton in 1866 for evening worship services, this hymn was first published in Church Hymns (1871). It became widely adopted in Anglican and Lutheran hymnals throughout the English-speaking world.
John Ellerton wrote this hymn in 1866 as a concluding hymn for the festival of the Malpas, Middlewich, and Nantwich Choral Association. Ellerton revised the text and reduced it from six to four stanzas for the Appendix to the original edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1868). The text is a prayer for peace: peace at the conclusion of worship (st. 1), when homeward bound (st. 2), during the night (st. 3), and throughout our lives (st. 4). 466 CLOSE OF WORSHIP This hymn differs from Ellerton’s other evening hymn, “The Day You Gave Us, Lord, Is Ended” (318) in that its focus is peace rather than missions. Time Composed by Edward J. Hopkins (b. Westminster, London, England, 1818; d. St. Pancras, London, 1901) as a unison melody with varied organ accompaniments, ELLERS has been traditionally associated with this text. The tune was published in 1869 in Brown-Borthwick’s The Supplemental Hymn and TuneBook. The harmony, slightly revised, is from Hopkin’s four-part arrangement for singers, taken from his first stanza organ part. It was published in the Appendix to the Bradford TuneBook (1872). The tune has a wave motion, rising to its climax at midpoint and then descending to end on a D. Since the hymn is a prayer, use clear but light organ registration. Hopkins began his musical career as a chorister at the Chapel Royal and at St. Paul’s Cathedral while also developing his skill at the organ. At the age of sixteen he received his first organist position—at the Mitcham Church in Surrey. In 1843 he was appointed organist and choirmaster at the Temple Church, London, where he remained for fiftyfive years. During that time the men and boys choir achieved great fame for its out standing services. Also active in other musical areas, Hopkins founded (with others) the Royal College of Organists, founded and edited the periodical The Organist and Choirmaster, and with E. F. Rimbault coauthored a standard text, The Organ: Its History and Construction (1855). He composed a large number of anthems, liturgical music, and hymn tunes. Some of his tunes were published in the Cathedral Psalter (1855) and The Temple Choral Service Book (1867). Hopkins also served as music editor for various hymnals produced in England, Scotland, and Canada.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 184
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 534
- The Hymnal 1982 — 345
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 262
- Lutheran Service Book — 917
- Lutheran Worship — 221
- New Century Hymnal — 89
- Psalter Hymnal — 319
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 47
- United Methodist Hymnal — 664
Liturgical Use
Dismissal hymn sung prior to the spoken benediction, especially in evening worship; stanzas 1 and 4 could be sung at a similar place in morning worship; stanza 4 alone is appropriate at a funeral service (it was sung at Ellerton’s funeral on June 20,1893).
Bulletin Note
Written by John Ellerton in 1866, this evening prayer hymn echoes the monastic tradition of Compline while expressing the Reformation's conviction that all believers may address God directly in their common need for grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the proclamation of Law and Gospel by showing how the Gospel's promise of God's constant presence liberates us from anxious self-reliance and calls us to rest in Christ's guardianship over all hours.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Liturgical dismissal progressing from immediate parting blessing through daily protection to eschatological hope of eternal peace
Themes
Evening prayer Praise and adoration God's protection Blessing and grace Daily devotion