The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away
The old year now hath passed away
The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away is a hymn text by Friedrich Behm (1657) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 263, tlh 125.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran emphasis on God's sustaining grace through life's changes and the Christian's continual need for Christ's abiding presence. It reflects the Small Catechism's teaching on repentance and trust in God's daily mercies.
History & Background
Written by Friedrich Behm in 1657 as a New Year's hymn for Lutheran worship, originally titled "Das alte Jahr ist nun dahin." Catherine Winkworth's 1863 English translation became the standard version in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 263
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 125
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Friedrich Behm (1657), this hymn teaches the Small Catechism's wisdom: we confess our failures honestly, yet trust wholly in God's daily mercy. Luther's legacy of repentance rooted in grace echoes throughout.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the confession of human frailty into a declaration of faith in Christ's constancy—a perfect theological pivot from Law to Gospel that your sermon on God's enduring mercy or the comfort of Christ's abiding presence can amplify and deepen.
Overview
A Reformation-era New Year hymn ascribed to Johann Steuerlein, a town clerk and musician. Thanks for keeping us through the year (st. 1); a prayer to the eternal Son to rule Christendom (st. 2) and not take his saving Word away, keeping us from error (st. 3); repentance and a new course, with the request 'Mark not what once was done amiss' (st. 4), so that we may live or die as Christians and rise when he comes (st. 5), to praise him with the angels; 'Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith' (st. 6).
Central theme: Thanks for the past year and prayer that Christ keep his Word among us, forgive the past and bring us to the resurrection
Structure
Six long-meter quatrains; st. 4-5 run on as one sentence. Thanks (1) — Christendom (2) — the Word (3) — repentance (4) — living and dying (5) — praise (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: sin to forsake; 'what once was done amiss' (4). Gospel: 'Thy saving Word'; 'Mark not' — forgiveness; resurrection (3-5).
Confessional Connections
John 15:4 (TLH's text): 'Abide in me.' St. 3, 'Take not Thy saving Word away' — the Reformation-era fear of losing the pure Gospel (compare TLH 292 'Lord, Keep Us Steadfast'); the Word is the means of grace (AC V) and the Church's true treasure. 'Keep us free from errors' (2 Tim 1:13-14). St. 4: contrition and amendment (AC XII), 'Mark not' — 'If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities…' (Ps 130:3). 'Increase our faith' (Luke 17:5) — faith is the Spirit's gift and grows by the Word.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
New Year's Eve; New Year's Day.
Historical Notes
Steuerlein (1546-1613) was town clerk and later mayor of Meiningen and a composer; the text and melody appeared together in 1588. Some sources ascribe the text to Jakob Tapp (verify).
About the Tune
HERR JESU CHRIST, DICH ZU UNS WEND (Cantionale Germanicum, Dresden, 1628). Note: Steuerlein's own melody 'Das alte Jahr vergangen ist' is the one Bach set in the Orgelbüchlein (BWV 614, verify); TLH pairs the text with a different tune.
Scripture References
John 15:4 Ps 121:7-8 Ps 2:6-8 Eph 1:20-22 Amos 8:11 Luke 24:29 2 Tim 1:13-14 Rom 6:4 Ps 25:7 Ps 130:3-4 Rom 14:8 1 Thess 4:16-17 Rev 5:11-13 Luke 17:5
Stanza by Stanza
The old year has passed; we thank you today, our God, that you kept us through the year when danger and distress were near.
'The LORD will keep you from all evil… your going out and your coming in' (Ps 121:7-8).
- Scripture
- Ps 121:7-8, Ps 107:1
- Imagery & language
- Old year; danger and distress.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — preservation.
- Connection to previous
- Thanks.
We pray to you, eternal Son, who reign as one with the Father, to guard and rule your Christendom through all the ages to come.
Christ's reign over his Church (Eph 1:20-22; Ps 2:6-8). 'Reign'st as One' with the Father — Nicene confession (AC I, III).
- Scripture
- Eph 1:20-22, Ps 2:6-8, John 10:30
- Imagery & language
- Eternal Son; Christendom.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's rule.
- Connection to previous
- Christendom.
Do not take your saving Word away, our souls' true comfort, staff and support. Stay with us and keep us free from errors, following only you.
'I will send a famine… of hearing the words of the LORD' (Amos 8:11). 'Stay with us, for it is toward evening' (Luke 24:29). 'Guard the good deposit' (2 Tim 1:14). The Word as means of grace (AC V).
- Scripture
- Amos 8:11, Luke 24:29, 2 Tim 1:13-14, John 15:4
- Imagery & language
- Saving Word; staff; free from errors.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word kept.
- Connection to previous
- The Word.
Help us forsake all sin and begin a new and holier course! Do not mark what was once done wrong; let this be a happier, better year,
Daily repentance and new life (Rom 6:4; SC Baptism IV). 'Remember not the sins of my youth' (Ps 25:7); 'If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness' (Ps 130:3-4).
- Scripture
- Rom 6:4, Ps 25:7, Ps 130:3-4
- Imagery & language
- Forsaking sin; new course; 'mark not.'
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin; Gospel — not remembered.
- Connection to previous
- Repentance.
in which we may live as Christians, or die in the peace that you give, to rise again when you come and enter your eternal home.
'Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's' (Rom 14:8). 'The dead in Christ will rise' (1 Thess 4:16-17; AC XVII).
- Scripture
- Rom 14:8, 1 Thess 4:16-17, John 14:2-3
- Imagery & language
- Live or die; rise; eternal home.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — resurrection.
- Connection to previous
- Living and dying.
There we will thank and adore you with all the angels forever. Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith, to praise your name in life and death.
Heaven's worship (Rev 5:11-13). 'Increase our faith!' (Luke 17:5).
- Scripture
- Rev 5:11-13, Luke 17:5
- Imagery & language
- Angels; increased faith.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — praise forever.
- Connection to previous
- Praise.
Themes
God's grace and faithfulness Repentance and renewal Dependence on Christ Transition and change