The Ancient Law Departs

The Ancient Law Departs is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite translation. Found in ELH 158, lsb 898, lw 22, tlh 117. Sung to ERHALT UNS, HERR.

This hymn celebrates Christ's circumcision and naming as the fulfillment and supersession of Old Testament ceremonial law, a key Lutheran understanding of redemptive history. It articulates the transition from law to gospel, demonstrating how Christ's obedience to the law culminates in grace for all believers.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this hymn in early 17th-century Germany, originally in German as "Das alte Gesetz vergehet." The text was translated into English through various versions and entered Lutheran hymnals in the 19th century, appearing in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) and continuing in contemporary Lutheran hymnody.

Hymnal Appearances

• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 158
• Lutheran Service Book — 898
• Lutheran Worship — 22
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 117

Translation

composite translation

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn teaches the Reformation conviction that Christ's obedience to Old Testament law fulfills and transcends it, opening grace for all believers. A meditation on redemptive history in verse.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran understanding of how Christ's circumcision embodies the Law-Gospel transition: the ceremonial law finds its end and purpose in Christ, whose atoning work makes way for grace.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• Of Justification Augsburg Confession

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (external threats to faith) → Gospel (Christ's lordship and defense) → Spirit (eschatological comfort and final victory)

Background Research

Latin original 'Debilis cessent elementa legis' by the Abbé Sébastien Besnault (d. 1724), priest of St Maurice, Sens; little else is known of him. Written for the Feast of the Circumcision (1 January): Jesus submits to the Law's rite and fulfils it, and the old ceremonial law gives way to the new covenant ('the weak and beggarly elements', Gal 4:9; Col 2:11, circumcision of the heart). The 1736 revised Paris Breviary set it at first Vespers of the Circumcision (hence TLH's 1736), as did the Lyons and other French breviaries; Newman's Hymni Ecclesiae (1838, 1865). The English was made by the compilers of Hymns Ancient & Modern (trial copy 1859, first edition 1861), hence TLH's 'composite (1861)'. A rare French neo-Gallican hymn in Lutheran books (LSB 898, ELH 158, tune POTSDAM; also ST. MICHAEL). It fits TLH's New Year/Circumcision section, with Christ's first shedding of blood under the Law for us.

Sources: hymnary.org 'The ancient law departs' (citing Julian, Hymnal 1940 Companion).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Circumcision and Name of Jesus (6×)
• New Year's Eve (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Circumcision and Name of Jesus (2×)
• New Year's Eve (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

A Latin hymn for the Circumcision and Name of Jesus (January 1) by Sébastien Besnault, a French priest of Sens, translated in Hymns Ancient and Modern. On the eighth day the infant Jesus is circumcised under the Law and named (Luke 2:21). The hymn sees in this both an ending and a beginning: the 'ancient Law departs' and a covenant of love begins (st. 1); the spotless Light of Light bears the pain of sin (st. 2); his first drops of blood already seal him as the Victim (st. 3); and the name 'Jesus' — Savior — is given, at which every knee bows (st. 4). It closes with Trinitarian praise (st. 5).

Central theme: The circumcision of Jesus as the beginning of his obedience and bloodshed for us, and the giving of his saving name

Structure

Five short-meter quatrains. Law and covenant (1) — the spotless Child bearing sin (2) — first blood (3) — the Name (4) — doxology (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: the Law's 'fears' and 'the pain of sin' (1-2). Gospel: Christ fulfils and ends the old covenant, bears our sin, sheds his blood, and is named Savior (1-4).

Confessional Connections

Christ 'born under the law, to redeem those under the law' (Gal 4:4-5). FC III.15: Christ's righteousness is 'His total obedience' — both doing (active) and suffering (passive) — and his circumcision is the first act of that obedience under the Law for us. The ceremonial law abolished in Christ (Col 2:16-17; AC XXVIII.50ff). Circumcision and Baptism (Col 2:11-12; LC IV). The Name of Jesus (Matt 1:21).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Circumcision and Name of Jesus (January 1, New Year's Day).

Historical Notes

Besnault's hymn appeared in a French diocesan breviary (TLH dates it 1736; verify); the English translation is from Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). TLH titles the January 1 festival 'The Circumcision of Christ.'

About the Tune

POTSDAM (adapted from Johann S. Bach; TLH: 1750, ad.).

Scripture References

Luke 2:21 Gal 4:4-5 Matt 5:17 Col 2:11-14 Jer 31:31-34 Heb 8:13 Heb 7:26 1 Pet 1:19 2 Cor 5:21 Heb 9:22 Heb 10:5-10 Matt 1:21 Phil 2:9-11 Acts 4:12

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Christ's fulfillment of the Law Grace superseding ceremonial law Christological fulfillment The New Testament economy

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "The Ancient Law Departs" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "ERHALT UNS, HERR" ↗