Thine Honor Save, O Christ, Our Lord
Thine honor save, O Christ, our Lord
Thine Honor Save, O Christ, Our Lord is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite/multiple translators. Found in ELH 221, lw 370, tlh 265. Sung to NUN DANKET ALL.
The hymn celebrates Christ's redemptive work and exalts His honor and majesty as the risen Lord, central to Lutheran Christology. It expresses the believer's desire for Christ's saving power to be manifest and recognized in the world.
History & Background
Originally written in German as 'Ehr' sei dir, Christ, geboten' by Martin Behm in the early 17th century. The hymn was translated into English and appeared in various Lutheran hymnals, particularly TLH (The Lutheran Hymnal) in 1941.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 221
- Lutheran Worship — 370
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 265
Translation
composite/multiple translators
Bulletin Note
Written by Martin Behm in 1610, this German hymn reflects Luther's emphasis on Christ's sufficiency for salvation. Set to the stately tune Herzlich Tret Ich, it remains a powerful Easter and Pentecostal confession.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the hearer from despair (law) into bold petition and confidence (gospel) by relocating all honor and redemptive power in Christ alone, not in human effort or merit.
Overview
Johann Heermann's prayer for the Church in the Thirty Years' War, when Silesian Lutherans faced forced re-Catholicization. Save your honor, Christ, against the foes of your Word (st. 1); they boast and scorn our hope (st. 2); forgive our sins and show your foes that godless counsel will not stand (st. 3); show you are with us and help your own (st. 4); preserve your little flock in peace and let the world see your true Church is here (st. 5). Note st. 3 — even under persecution, the first request is forgiveness for ourselves.
Central theme: Prayer that Christ defend his own honor and his persecuted Church, beginning with forgiveness for the Church's own sins
Structure
Five long-meter quatrains. Thine honor (1) — the foes' pride (2) — forgiveness first (3) — Christ with us (4) — little flock (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: the Church's sins (3); the foes' pride. Gospel: 'Grant us Thy grace and let us live'; 'Thy boundless mercy.'
Confessional Connections
Ps 118:25 (TLH's text): 'Save us, we pray, O LORD!' The prayer is for God's honor first ('for your name's sake,' Ps 79:9; First Petition). St. 3 places confession of the Church's own sins before any request against its enemies (Dan 9:18-19; Ap XII; the Church is always both holy and sinful in its members). St. 5: 'Thy true Church indeed is here' — the true Church recognized where the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments rightly administered (AC VII), not by outward power.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Reformation; times of persecution; prayer for the Church.
Historical Notes
Heermann (1585-1647), pastor at Köben, Silesia, suffered repeatedly during the Thirty Years' War; published in Devoti Musica Cordis (1630).
About the Tune
ERHALT UNS, HERR (Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1543) — the tune of 'Lord, Keep Us Steadfast.'
Scripture References
Ps 118:25 Ps 79:9 Ps 74:10 Ps 2:1-4 Ps 123:3-4 Dan 9:18-19 Ps 33:10-11 Isa 8:10 Ps 46:7 Luke 12:32 Matt 16:18
Stanza by Stanza
Save your honor, Christ our Lord! Hear Zion's cries and give help; destroy the schemes of powerful enemies who now oppose your Word and truth.
'Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name' (Ps 79:9). 'Save us, we pray' (Ps 118:25).
- Scripture
- Ps 118:25, Ps 79:9, Ps 74:10
- Imagery & language
- Thine honor; Zion's cries; foes of the Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — help sought for God's sake.
- Connection to previous
- Thine honor.
Their cunning and splendor are great indeed, and they boast and brag of their power; they mock our hope and in their pride consider us nothing.
'Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud' (Ps 123:4). 'Why do the nations rage?' (Ps 2:1).
- Scripture
- Ps 123:3-4, Ps 2:1-4
- Imagery & language
- Craft; pomp; scorn.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the world's contempt.
- Connection to previous
- The foes' pride.
Forgive, Lord, forgive our sins; give us your grace and let us live. Convince your enemies throughout the land that godless plans will not stand.
'We do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, forgive' (Dan 9:18-19). 'The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing' (Ps 33:10). 'Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing' (Isa 8:10).
- Scripture
- Dan 9:18-19, Ps 33:10-11, Isa 8:10
- Imagery & language
- Sins forgiven; grace; godless counsel.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — our sins; Gospel — forgiveness.
- Connection to previous
- Forgiveness first.
Lord, proclaim that you are with us and put our enemies to shame; confound them in their arrogance and help your own in their distress.
'The LORD of hosts is with us' (Ps 46:7). 'Let them be put to shame' (Ps 35:4).
- Scripture
- Ps 46:7, Ps 35:4, Rom 8:31
- Imagery & language
- With us; enemies shamed; help.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God with us.
- Connection to previous
- With us.
Keep your little flock in peace, and do not let your boundless mercy end; let it be clear to the whole world that your true Church really is here.
'Fear not, little flock' (Luke 12:32). 'The gates of hell shall not prevail' (Matt 16:18). AC VII: the true Church marked by Word and Sacrament.
- Scripture
- Luke 12:32, Matt 16:18
- Imagery & language
- Little flock; mercy; true Church.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Church preserved.
- Connection to previous
- True Church.
Themes
Christological triumph Divine honor and majesty Salvation through Christ Resurrection glory Prayer and supplication