Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way

Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way is a hymn text by Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1837) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Peer Ørsted. Found in CW21 698, CW93 395, ELH 207, lsb 557. Sung to NUN DANKET ALL.

This hymn exemplifies Lutheran Christocentrism by declaring Christ as the sole mediator and way to eternal life, echoing Reformation soteriology. It reflects the Grundtvigian emphasis on the incarnate Word and the apostolic confession as the foundation of authentic Christian faith.

History & Background

Written by Danish bishop Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn emphasizes Christ as the exclusive way to salvation. It was translated into English by Peer Ørsted and has appeared in major Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal and Lutheran Service Book.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship: Hymnal — 698
• Christian Worship — 395
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 207
• Lutheran Service Book — 557
• Lutheran Worship — 358
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 383

Translation

Peer Ørsted

Bulletin Note

Nikolai Grundtvig (1783–1872), Danish bishop and hymnwriter, composed this in 1837. It reflects his conviction that the incarnate Word and apostolic faith—not human reason—form the bedrock of Christian witness and hope.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dynamic: it acknowledges our human striving and searching (the demand) while proclaming Christ as the sole answer (the promise), making it a powerful companion to any sermon on justification by faith alone.

Background Research

Georg Weissel (1590–1635), pastor of the new Altroßgärter Kirche in Königsberg. In 1623 he wrote 'Macht hoch die Tür' (TLH 73, 'Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates') for the church's dedication. The next Sunday, at his own installation as its first pastor, he wrote 'Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel', this hymn. So it is a new pastor's manifesto: let others seek another goal, but I seek salvation in Christ alone; no other way, no other name (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). A good frame for the analysis. Arthur Voss made the English for TLH (1938/41). The LSB study confirms the ordination link ('it is suggested' that he used it at his ordination, a week after the new church's dedication) and adds that Weissel was a mayor's son and wrote at least twenty hymns; he served the church until his death.

Sources: Wikipedia 'Macht hoch die Tür'; LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (study by Christopher I. Thoma).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Trinity 17 (7×)
• Trinity 10 (4×)
• St. Bartholomew (1×)
• Trinity 13 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Proper 20 (3×)
• St. Bartholomew (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

Georg Weissel (author of 'Lift Up Your Heads') wrote this in Königsberg in 1623; Arthur Voss translated it for TLH. Its short, internally rhymed lines make it lively. Let others seek other ways; I build on Christ the one Foundation (st. 1); no man can redeem his brother — only the God-man, the Guiltless for the guilty (st. 2); seek him alone, who atoned (st. 3); he is my Delight and Crown, and his Word my guide (st. 4); and through floods of woe faith will not waver (st. 5). Stanza 2 is a concise statement of the incarnation and substitution.

Central theme: Christ the God-man as the only way of salvation, the Guiltless who died for the guilty

Structure

Five seven-line stanzas with internal rhymes (4.4.7.4.4.7.4.4.4.4.7 pattern). Foundation (1) — the God-man (2) — seek him (3) — my delight (4) — trust in trouble (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'None can redeem his brother… All helpers failed' (2). Gospel: the God-man prevailed; 'We're justified, for He hath died, the Guiltless for the guilty.'

Confessional Connections

Solus Christus (AC IV, XX, XXI). The God-man as the only Mediator (st. 2; FC VIII: both natures needed for redemption). Justification by Christ's death, 'the Guiltless for the guilty' (1 Pet 3:18; AC IV).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Reformation; general; mission; Trinity season.

Historical Notes

Weissel (1590-1635), pastor of Altrossgarten church, Königsberg. Voss translated it for TLH (1938/41).

About the Tune

SUCH, WER DA WILL (Johann Stobäus, 1613, adapted).

Scripture References

Acts 4:12 1 Cor 3:11 Rom 8:37 Ps 49:7-8 1 Tim 2:5 Phil 2:7 Mark 10:45 1 Pet 3:18 Rom 5:9 Matt 6:33 Isa 55:1 Rom 8:35-39 Ps 119:105 Ps 27:9 Ps 126:5

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Christ as the only way Salvation through Christ alone Christological foundation of faith Rejection of human merit

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "NUN DANKET ALL" ↗