Soul What Return Has God Thy Savior
Soul, what return has God thy Savior
Soul What Return Has God Thy Savior is a hymn text by Friedrich Christian Weise (1681) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in tlh 404. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.
The hymn emphasizes the proper response of gratitude and renewed service that believers owe to God for redemptive salvation, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on fruits of faith. It connects the believer's dedication and service as a return of gratitude for Christ's redemptive work, expressing the doctrine of sola gratia through practical Christian living.
History & Background
This hymn originated in German Protestant devotional literature during the 17th century Baroque period. It appears in the Lutheran hymnodic tradition and was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in the mid-19th century, appearing in The Chorale Book for England.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 404
Translation
Bulletin Note
Weise (1681) grounds Lutheran piety in the fruits of faith: what we return to God is not debt but devotion. The sturdy LIEBSTER JESU tune carries this challenge across centuries of faithful response.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Gospel's gift of grace into the Law's joyful demand for grateful service—helping listeners move from receiving forgiveness to embodying it through lives of renewed dedication.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Background Research
TLH 404. "Was giebst du denn, o meine Seele" by Karl Friedrich Lochner (1634–97) of Nuremberg. He earned a master's degree and began an academic career, but at his father's urging came home to lecture in logic and metaphysics. He became vicar at Wöhrd, then at Fürth under Pastor Schuster, whom he succeeded in 1663; Hymnary says he held the post for 36 years, which does not fit his 1697 death, so one figure is off. Text on Mark 12:17, "render unto God the things that are God's": the soul's return to God for all He has given. Tune O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (Dretzel). In 11 hymnals, including the Amana Church Hymnal (1992). TLH 1673 date unconfirmed.
Overview
Karl Friedrich Lochner's stewardship hymn on 'Render… to God the things that are God's' (Mark 12:17). What can my soul give God for all his gifts? He wants the heart (st. 1); who else could claim me — Satan, who gives only hell? (st. 2); accept my heart, the first-fruits your Son bought with his blood (st. 3); to whom should I give it but you, who loved me unto death — one heart with yours forever (st. 4).
Central theme: The heart as the only fitting gift to God, already purchased by Christ's blood
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8). The question (1) — God or Satan (2) — first-fruits bought with blood (3) — one heart (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: Satan's claim and 'pangs of hell' (2). Gospel: 'For which Thy Son paid with His blood'; 'Thou hast loved me unto death' (3-4).
Confessional Connections
Mark 12:17 (TLH's text). 'What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits?' (Ps 116:12). Lutherans teach the heart's gift as the fruit of faith, not as a payment for grace — st. 3 is careful: the heart is already God's because 'Thy Son paid with His blood' (1 Cor 6:20; SC Second Article: 'that I may be His own'). St. 2 echoes the two masters (Rom 6:16): deliverance from Satan's dominion (Col 1:13). St. 4, 'One heart throughout eternity' — union with Christ (John 17:21-23; FC III.54).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Stewardship; Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity (Mark 12 / Matt 22: 'render unto Caesar'); offertory; consecration.
Historical Notes
Lochner (1634-1697), pastor at Fürth near Nuremberg; published 1673.
About the Tune
O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (Kornelius H. Dretzel, 1731).
Scripture References
Mark 12:17 Ps 116:12 Prov 23:26 Rom 6:16-18 Col 1:13 1 Cor 6:19-20 Jas 1:18 Rom 12:1 1 John 4:19 John 15:13 John 17:21-23
Stanza by Stanza
Soul, what return will you make to God your Savior for everything he gives you day by day? Do you have any gift to offer that can delight and please him? — Say! He asks for the best of offerings: it is your heart he wants.
'What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?' (Ps 116:12). 'My son, give me your heart' (Prov 23:26).
- Scripture
- Ps 116:12, Prov 23:26, Mark 12:17
- Imagery & language
- Return; daily gifts; heart desired.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — gifts received; response asked.
- Connection to previous
- What return?
Give your heart's love to God — who else can claim you as his own? Should Satan keep you in subjection? With him only the pains of hell are known. To you alone, divine Lord, I now give up my heart and all.
'You are slaves of the one whom you obey' (Rom 6:16). 'He has delivered us from the domain of darkness' (Col 1:13).
- Scripture
- Rom 6:16-18, Col 1:13
- Imagery & language
- Heart's affection; Satan's subjection; pangs of hell.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — Satan's dominion; Gospel — God's claim.
- Connection to previous
- God or Satan.
Accept the gift you ask for, my heart and soul, gracious God, the first-fruits you desire so much, which your Son paid for with his blood. I willingly hand over my heart to you, dear Lord, for it is yours.
'You are not your own, for you were bought with a price' (1 Cor 6:19-20). 'A kind of firstfruits of his creatures' (Jas 1:18). 'A living sacrifice' (Rom 12:1).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 6:19-20, Jas 1:18, Rom 12:1
- Imagery & language
- Gift; first-fruits; paid with blood; already Thine.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — purchased by blood.
- Connection to previous
- First-fruits.
To whom should I give my heart's love but you, who gave yours? Your fervent love is my protection; Lord, you have loved me unto death. My heart will be with yours forever, one heart through eternity.
'We love because he first loved us' (1 John 4:19). 'Greater love has no one than this' (John 15:13). 'That they may all be one… I in them' (John 17:21-23).
- Scripture
- 1 John 4:19, John 15:13, John 17:21-23
- Imagery & language
- Heart's affection; loved unto death; one heart.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love answered by love.
- Connection to previous
- One heart.
Themes
Christian stewardship Gratitude for salvation Devotion and service Response to divine grace Christian witness