The Day is Surely Drawing Near

The Day is Surely Drawing Near is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Martin H. Behm (English adaptation). Found in CW21 488, CW93 207, ELH 538, lbw 321. Sung to GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN.

This hymn exemplifies Lutheran Advent theology by focusing on the reality of Christ's imminent return and the necessity of spiritual preparedness through repentance. It balances the fear of judgment with the assurance of Christ's mercy, reflecting the Law-Gospel dynamic central to Lutheran proclamation.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this German hymn in 1610 as a meditation on Christ's return and the Last Day, reflecting 17th-century Lutheran eschatological piety. The English text was provided by Martin H. Behm in the Lutheran Hymnal (1941) and has remained standard in Lutheran hymnals since.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship: Hymnal — 488
• Christian Worship — 207
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 538
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 321
• Lutheran Service Book — 508
• Lutheran Worship — 462
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 611

Translation

Martin H. Behm (English adaptation)

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm in 1610, this Advent hymn embodies Lutheran theology: Christ's return summons sinners to repentance yet assures believers of His redemptive grace. A steadfast witness to the Law-Gospel dynamic.

Preaching Connection

This hymn amplifies the kerygmatic power of Advent proclamation by anchoring repentance not in fear alone but in the mercy of Christ, making it a perfect theological companion to sermons on the Two Kingdoms or the Last Day.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• Of Christ’s Return to Judgment Augsburg Confession

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's first advent in grace → bestowal of saving grace → Christ's second advent in judgment → urgent call to repentance and welcome

Background Research

Ringwaldt (c. 1530-1599), pastor at Langfeld in Brandenburg, published it in his Handbüchlin (Frankfurt an der Oder, 1586). He reworked an anonymous German hymn from Zwey schöne Lieder (c. 1565), itself drawn from the Dies irae (TLH 607); Wackernagel credits him mainly with improving it. Its tune is the one often called LUTHER'S HYMN (also TLH 604). Still in the German EG for the end of the church year. Source: Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology (Langfeld from my notes).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Proper 28; Trinity 26

Suggested in the one-year series

• Trinity 10 (3×)
• Advent 2 (2×)
• Last Sunday of the Church Year (2×)
• Trinity 23 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Proper 28 (9×)
• Last Sunday of the Church Year (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

Bartholomäus Ringwaldt, a Lutheran pastor in Brandenburg, reworked an earlier anonymous German hymn on the Last Judgment (itself commonly traced to the Dies irae) into this classic. It confesses that Christ will come as Judge in majesty (st. 1); the trumpet will sound, the dead rise and the living be changed (st. 2); the books will be opened (st. 3); and woe will come to those who despised God's Word (st. 4). Then the hymn turns to the Gospel: Jesus paid my debt — may my name be in the Book of Life; 'I will not doubt' (st. 5); be my Intercessor by your blood (st. 6); come quickly and set us free (st. 7). It is one of the clearest Law-Gospel hymns in TLH.

Central theme: The certainty and terror of the Last Judgment, and the believer's confidence through Christ's blood and intercession

Structure

Seven seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7). Law: Christ's appearing (1), resurrection (2), the books (3), woe to despisers (4). Gospel: Book of Life (5), Intercessor (6), prayer for his coming (7).

Law & Gospel Shape

Textbook Law-Gospel structure, almost exactly half and half. Law (1-4): judgment by works, flames, shame, delivery to Satan. Gospel (5-7): 'who my debt didst pay'; 'I will not doubt'; 'for Thy blood and merit declare my name from judgment free.'

Confessional Connections

AC XVII: Christ 'will appear for judgment and will raise up all the dead; He will give to the godly and elect eternal life… but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn.' The books of works (st. 3) and the Book of Life (st. 5) — judgment according to works, salvation by grace; works are evidence, not merit (Ap IV). 'I will not doubt' (st. 5) — against the Roman teaching that the believer must remain uncertain of grace (Ap IV.119ff; Ap XII). Christ as Intercessor (st. 6; AC XXI; 1 John 2:1). St. 4's despisers of the Word: the Third Commandment (LC I.91ff).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Last Sundays of the Church Year; Advent (especially Advent 2); funerals; Reformation era favorite.

Historical Notes

Ringwaldt (1532-c. 1600), pastor at Langfeld, wrote extensively in verse. The hymn is sometimes wrongly credited to Luther; it is Ringwaldt's adaptation of an earlier anonymous hymn (verify date in TLH Handbook). Philip A. Peter (1832-1919) was an Ohio Synod pastor.

About the Tune

ES IST GEWISSLICH (Klug's Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1535). The source page dated it 1835; corrected. In English tradition the melody is known as 'Luther's Hymn' (verify).

Scripture References

Luke 21:25-36 Matt 25:31-46 Acts 17:31 2 Pet 3:10 1 Cor 15:51-52 1 Thess 4:16-17 John 5:28-29 Rev 20:12-15 2 Cor 5:10 Matt 12:36 Heb 4:13 Matt 25:41 Luke 10:16 Col 2:14 Isa 53:5 Phil 4:3 Rom 8:1, 33-34 1 John 2:1 Rev 3:5 1 Cor 13:12 Rev 22:20

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Last Things/Eschatology Final Judgment Christ's Return Repentance Watchfulness

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "The Day is Surely Drawing Near" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN" ↗