So Truly As I Live God Saith
So truly as I live, God saith
The hymn emphasizes the conditional nature of God's promise—life is assured to those who repent and turn from wickedness. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on both God's gracious will to save and human responsibility to repent and believe.
History & Background
Written by Henry Coley, an English clergyman, and published in the seventeenth century. The hymn directly expounds Ezekiel 33:11, God's declaration of His desire for the repentance rather than death of sinners.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 637
- Lutheran Service Book — 614
- Lutheran Worship — 235
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 331
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Coley in 1674, this hymn grounds itself in Ezekiel 33:11 and the Lutheran conviction that God's justice and mercy meet in the call to repentance. The sturdy tune GOTT WILL'S MACHEN carries the weight of divine promise.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully frames the Law-Gospel dynamic: God's conditional word exposes human sin and demand for repentance, while His oath—sworn on His own being—reveals His earnest will to save those who believe and turn.
Themes
God's mercy Repentance Assurance of forgiveness Divine compassion Conditional salvation