Sing My Tongue How Glorious Battle
Sing my tongue the Savior's glory
This hymn encapsulates Lutheran understanding of Christ's cross as the center of salvation history and divine wisdom, emphasizing that apparent defeat becomes ultimate victory. It reflects the Lutheran insistence that Christ's suffering and death accomplish redemption for all humanity through God's gracious substitutionary atonement.
History & Background
Originally composed in Latin by Venantius Fortunatus in the 6th century for the feast of the Holy Cross, this hymn became one of the most significant processional hymns in medieval liturgy. John Mason Neale translated it into English in 1851, preserving its contemplative meditation on Christ's redemptive work through crucifixion.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 356
- The Hymnal 1982 — 165
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 118
- Lutheran Service Book — 454
- Lutheran Worship — 117
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Venantius Fortunatus in 569, this hymn shaped medieval and Reformation theology by centering the cross as wisdom's paradox—where Christ's death becomes the cosmos' redemption and humanity's ransom.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel dialectic: the cross simultaneously pronounces judgment on sin and executes God's merciful redemption, teaching us that Christ's condemnation is humanity's deliverance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Law's demand for reverent silence before God's majesty to Gospel's revelation of Christ's humble incarnation, culminating in heavenly liturgy and Easter victory
Themes
Cross of Christ Redemption through suffering Paschal mystery Triumph through sacrifice Christian victory