Savior I Follow On

Savior I Follow On is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in 7.7.7.7 meter. Found in CW93 473, tlh 422.

The hymn articulates a Lutheran understanding of sanctification as the grateful response of the justified believer to God's grace. It emphasizes the Christian's vocation to follow Christ through suffering and trial as an expression of living faith.

History & Background

This hymn appears in 19th-century English hymnals with authorship unknown. It expresses the devotional piety characteristic of Victorian-era discipleship hymns emphasizing personal commitment to Christ.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship — 473
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 422

Bulletin Note

This early nineteenth-century hymn expresses Lutheran piety: justified sinners, constrained by Christ's love, gladly follow him through suffering as their living faith and daily calling.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of sanctification as grateful response: the Gospel of Christ's sacrifice awakens the believer's willing obedience, transforming the Law's demand into the Christian's joyful vocation.

Background Research

TLH 422. Charles Seymour Robinson (1829–99), Presbyterian pastor (from memory: Brooklyn, Paris American Chapel, and Memorial Presbyterian, New York) and a major editor of American hymnals (Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, and others). The Canterbury Dictionary calls it a "hymn of discipleship", with the epigraph Isaiah 42:16, "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not". Early printings are in Songs for the Sanctuary (1868, no. 773) as "Saviour! I follow on". TLH's 1862 date is not checked against the first printing. Lead: Hymnary text page; Robinson's 1862 Psalms and Hymns.

Overview

An American Presbyterian hymn by Charles Seymour Robinson, built on Israel's wilderness journey. I follow, not yet seeing the hand that leads (st. 1); the rock is split and manna falls; in every want Christ whispers 'Only believe' (st. 2); often brought to Marah's bitter waters, I prayed, and Jesus cast in the branch that sweetened them (st. 3; Exod 15:23-25); I long to walk closer, living for him who died for me (st. 4).

Central theme: Christ as the hidden guide of the wilderness journey, providing for every need and sweetening every bitterness

Structure

Four eight-line stanzas (6.4.6.4.7.7.7.4). Following (1) — rock and manna (2) — Marah (3) — closer walk (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: the riven rock, manna, 'Only believe,' the sweetening branch, 'Him who died / Freely for me.' Law implied in Marah's bitterness.

Confessional Connections

Ex 15:23 (TLH's text): Marah, the bitter waters. The wilderness is read christologically, as Paul does: 'the Rock was Christ' (1 Cor 10:4); the manna is the true bread (John 6). St. 3: 'Jesus the branch hath rent' — the tree cast into Marah becomes a figure of the cross that sweetens our bitterness (a patristic reading). 'Only believe' (Mark 5:36) — faith as reliance on promise (AC IV). St. 4: 'Living for Him who died / Freely for me' (2 Cor 5:15) — new obedience flowing from grace (AC VI).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Trinity season; affliction; Lent (wilderness themes).

Historical Notes

Robinson (1829-1899), Presbyterian pastor in New York and hymnal editor; published 1862.

About the Tune

WINTERTON (Joseph Barnby, 1892).

Scripture References

Exod 15:23-25 Ps 73:23-24 2 Cor 5:7 Exod 17:6 1 Cor 10:4 Exod 16:4 John 6:31-35 Mark 5:36 Rev 22:2 2 Cor 5:15 Gal 2:20

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

discipleship cross-bearing following Christ suffering faith journey

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Savior I Follow On" ↗