The Will of God Is Always Best

The will of God is always best

The Will of God Is Always Best is a hymn text by Samuel Rodigast (1675) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Frances Bevan. Found in CW21 838, CW93 435, ELH 477, lsb 758.

This hymn expresses classical Lutheran understanding of God's sovereign will and providence, teaching believers to accept divine providence with trust rather than complaint. It reflects Luther's emphasis on the hiddenness of God's will and the need for faith to embrace what reason cannot understand.

History & Background

Originally written in German as 'Gottes Wille' by Samuel Rodigast during the Thirty Years' War, reflecting profound trust amid suffering and loss. The text was first published in German hymnals in the 17th century and translated into English by Frances Bevan in 1884.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship: Hymnal — 838
Christian Worship — 435
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 477
Lutheran Service Book — 758
Lutheran Worship — 425
Trinity Hymnal — 108
The Lutheran Hymnal — 517

Translation

Frances Bevan

Bulletin Note

Samuel Rodigast, a German Lutheran pastor, wrote this in 1675 during plague years. It anchors the classical Lutheran conviction that faith means trusting God's purpose even when reason fails.

Preaching Connection

This hymn deepens the Law's demand for surrender and the Gospel's promise that God's hidden will—precisely because it is God's—is mercy clothed in mystery.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

'Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit', written 1547 (3 stanzas); 4th stanza in a Nürnberg broadsheet c. 1554; in Fünff schöne geistliche Lieder (Dresden, 1556). Authorship split: TLH follows the credit to Albrecht Alcibiades, the warlike Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach; Wikipedia credits Albrecht, Duke of Prussia (the first Protestant duke). The tune is Claudin de Sermisy's French love-chanson 'Il me suffit de tous mes maulx' (1529). Bach used it in cantata BWV 111 and in the St Matthew Passion after Gethsemane ('Was mein Gott will'). Source: Wikipedia 'Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit'.

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Trinity 16

Suggested in the one-year series

Trinity 16 (7×)
Epiphany 3 (1×)
Quinquagesima (1×)
Septuagesima (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.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A hymn of submission to God's will, traditionally ascribed to Margrave Albrecht of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, a turbulent 16th-century prince who died in exile; the attribution is uncertain. It confesses that God's will is always best and he never forsakes those who trust him (st. 1); that God is comfort, hope and life, numbering the very hairs of our head and never sleeping (st. 2); prays to Jesus for steadfastness when Satan troubles and claims his promise to hear prayer (st. 3); and asks to say 'Thy will be done' at death, commending the soul to Christ, victor over sin, hell and death (st. 4). It is the Third Petition turned into a hymn of trust.

Central theme: Trusting submission to God's good will in life and death, through Christ's victory

Structure

Four ten-line stanzas with internal rhymes (8.7.8.7.4.4.7.4.4.7). God's will (1) — God's care (2) — prayer against Satan (3) — death (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: God's faithful care, Christ's promise to hear, victory over sin, hell and death. 'He chastens with forbearing' (1).

Confessional Connections

Third Petition: 'God's good and gracious will is done… when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die' (SC). Providence: the hairs numbered (First Article). Prayer heard because of God's promise (LC III). Christ's victory over sin, death and hell (Second Article).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

General; times of trial; funerals; Trinity season.

Historical Notes

Albrecht Alcibiades (1522-1557); the hymn appeared c. 1554. The tune is a French melody of 1529.

About the Tune

WAS MEIN GOTT WILL (French melody, 1529, Claudin de Sermisy).

Scripture References

Matt 6:10 Rom 12:2 Ps 46:1 Heb 12:6 Ps 62:5-7 Matt 10:30 Ps 121:3-4 1 Pet 5:8-9 Mark 11:24 John 16:23 Luke 22:42 Luke 23:46 1 Cor 15:55-57

Stanza by Stanza

1 The will of God is always best…

God's will is always best and will be done forever; those who trust him are blessed; he will never forsake them. He truly helps in time of need; he disciplines with patience; those who depend on God, their friend, will not be left in despair.

'Thy will be done' (Matt 6:10). God's will is 'good and acceptable and perfect' (Rom 12:2). 'He chastens with forbearing' — fatherly discipline, not wrath (Heb 12:6). 'Shall not be left despairing' (2 Cor 4:8).

Scripture: Matt 6:10, Rom 12:2, Ps 46:1, Heb 12:6, 2 Cor 4:8
Imagery & language: God's will; chastening; Friend.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — trust in God's good will.
Connection to previous: God's will.

Third Petition providence trust

2 God is my Comfort and my Trust,…

God is my comfort and trust, my hope and lasting life; I yield to his wise and just counsel, trusting him. His Word declares that he numbers the very hairs on my head; night and day God is my support; he never sleeps or slumbers.

'The very hairs of your head are all numbered' (Matt 10:30) — detailed providence. 'He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep' (Ps 121:4). Yielding to God's 'counsel wise and just' is trust, not resignation.

Scripture: Ps 62:5-7, Matt 10:30, Ps 121:3-4, Prov 3:5
Imagery & language: Numbered hairs; sleepless keeper.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — God's detailed care.
Connection to previous: Care.

providence trust

3 Lord Jesus, this I ask of Thee,…

Lord Jesus, I ask this of you; do not refuse me this favor: when Satan troubles me sorely, do not let me waver. Keep watch and guard, gracious Lord; fulfill your faithful promise: whoever believes will receive an answer to his prayer.

Steadfastness against Satan (1 Pet 5:8-9; Sixth Petition). 'Fulfil Thy faithful saying' — prayer appeals to Christ's promise (Mark 11:24; John 16:23). The Large Catechism: we pray because God commanded and promised.

Scripture: 1 Pet 5:8-9, Mark 11:24, John 16:23, Luke 22:31-32
Imagery & language: Watch and ward; promise.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ's promise to hear.
Connection to previous: Prayer.

prayer spiritual warfare promise

4 When life's brief course on earth is run…

When life's short course is run and I am leaving this world, let me say, 'Your will be done,' still clinging to you by faith. My heavenly friend, I commend my soul to your keeping, reaping victory over sin and hell and death through you.

'Thy will be done' at death — Christ's own prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42). 'I commend my soul' (Luke 23:46). Victory 'o'er sin and hell and death' (1 Cor 15:55-57) — the Second Article's enemies.

Scripture: Luke 22:42, Luke 23:46, 1 Cor 15:55-57, Phil 1:21
Imagery & language: Death; commending.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — victory in death.
Connection to previous: Death.

death Third Petition Christus Victor

Themes

God's providence Submission to divine will Trust in adversity Acceptance of suffering God's wisdom

Look Further

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