The Law Commands and Makes Us Know
The law commands and makes us know
The Law Commands and Makes Us Know is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1525) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in CW93 286, ELH 489, lw 287, tlh 289.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran theology of the First Use of the Law—its condemning function to reveal sin and human guilt before God. It prepares the listener for Gospel grace by establishing the impossibility of satisfying divine justice through human effort.
History & Background
Luther composed this hymn around 1525 as part of his catechetical hymn cycle presenting Law and Gospel. It appeared in various Luther hymnals and became a standard Lutheran exposition of the Law's condemning function.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 286
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 489
- Lutheran Worship — 287
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 289
Translation
Bulletin Note
Luther's 1525 hymn exemplifies the First Use of the Law in Lutheran theology: the Law condemns and reveals human guilt, preparing sinners for the Gospel alone. A Reformation cornerstone linking conviction and grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn anchors the preaching of the First Use of the Law—its condemning function—and prepares congregational hearts to receive the Gospel's liberating grace as the only adequate response to divine judgment.
Overview
Isaac Watts's 'The Law and Gospel distinguished,' a hymn whose entire structure is the Lutheran distinction. Each of the first three stanzas sets the Law against the Gospel: the Law commands, the Gospel gives strength (st. 1); the Law exposes guilt, the Gospel expresses forgiving love (st. 2); the Law curses one failure, the Gospel pardons years of guilt (st. 3). St. 4 is the conclusion: my soul, stop trying to draw life from the Law; flee to the promise — 'The man that trusts the promise lives.' It sits in TLH's 'The Word' section for good reason.
Central theme: The distinction between Law and Gospel: the Law commands, exposes and curses; only the Gospel gives strength, forgiveness and life
Structure
Four long-meter quatrains; st. 1-3 each pair Law (lines 1-2) with Gospel (lines 3-4); st. 4 applies.
Law & Gospel Shape
The hymn is the distinction itself: Law (lines 1-2 of st. 1-3) / Gospel (lines 3-4); st. 4 — flee from Law to promise.
Confessional Connections
Ps 19:9 (TLH's text). This is the hymn form of FC V ('Law and Gospel'): 'the Law is properly a divine doctrine which teaches what is right… and condemns everything that is sin'; the Gospel 'teaches what man should believe… that the Son of God has made satisfaction' (FC Ep V.3-5). St. 1: the Law shows duty but gives no power; strength comes from the Gospel (Rom 8:3-4; FC VI on the third use, where the Spirit works through the Gospel). St. 2: 'by the law is the knowledge of sin' (Rom 3:20; Ap IV.257). St. 3: 'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things' (Gal 3:10; Jas 2:10). St. 4: 'The righteous shall live by faith' (Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11) — justification by faith in the promise (Ap IV.48-60).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Catechesis; Reformation; Lent; confirmation; the Word.
Historical Notes
From Watts's Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1709), Book I, headed 'The Law and Gospel distinguished.'
About the Tune
OLD HUNDREDTH (Genevan Psalter, 1551; Louis Bourgeois).
Scripture References
Ps 19:9 Rom 3:20 Rom 7:7 Gal 3:10 Jas 2:10 Rom 8:3-4 Rom 1:16-17 Gal 3:11-12 Rom 4:16 Hab 2:4 2 Cor 3:6 Rom 10:4 1 John 1:9
Stanza by Stanza
The Law commands us and teaches what duties we owe to God; but it is the Gospel that must reveal where our strength to do his will lies.
The Law teaches duty (Ps 19:7-9) but cannot give power: 'what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. God has done' (Rom 8:3). The Spirit through the Gospel enables new obedience (FC VI; AC VI).
- Scripture
- Ps 19:7-9, Rom 8:3-4, Phil 2:13
- Imagery & language
- Law commands; Gospel gives strength.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — duty; Gospel — power.
- Connection to previous
- Command and strength.
The Law uncovers guilt and sin and shows how vile our hearts have been; only the Gospel can express forgiving love and cleansing grace.
'Through the law comes knowledge of sin' (Rom 3:20; 7:7). 'The power of God for salvation' (Rom 1:16). 'If we confess our sins, he… will forgive us… and cleanse us' (1 John 1:9).
- Scripture
- Rom 3:20, Rom 7:7, Rom 1:16-17, 1 John 1:9
- Imagery & language
- Guilt discovered; forgiving love.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — exposure; Gospel — forgiveness.
- Connection to previous
- Guilt and grace.
What curses the Law pronounces against anyone who fails even once! But in the Gospel Christ appears, pardoning the guilt of many years.
'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law' (Gal 3:10). 'Whoever… fails in one point has become guilty of all' (Jas 2:10). 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us' (Gal 3:13).
- Scripture
- Gal 3:10, Jas 2:10, Gal 3:13
- Imagery & language
- Curses; one failure; Christ pardoning years.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — curse; Gospel — pardon.
- Connection to previous
- Curse and pardon.
My soul, stop trying to draw your life and comfort from the Law; flee to the hope the Gospel gives; the one who trusts the promise lives.
'The righteous shall live by faith' (Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11). 'The law is not of faith' (Gal 3:12). 'That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace' (Rom 4:16). 'Christ is the end of the law for righteousness' (Rom 10:4). Ap IV.
- Scripture
- Hab 2:4, Gal 3:11-12, Rom 4:16, Rom 10:4
- Imagery & language
- No life from the Law; fly to the promise; trust and live.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — life by faith in the promise.
- Connection to previous
- Trust the promise.
Themes
Law and Gospel Sin and Grace Divine Justice Human Righteousness Justification