Through Jesus' Blood and Merit

Through Jesus' blood and merit

Through Jesus' Blood and Merit is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Matthias Loy. Found in CW93 445, ELH 414, lsb 746, lw 369.

The hymn articulates the Lutheran doctrine of justification through Christ's merit and blood, emphasizing faith's assurance before God. It reflects the Reformation confidence in Christ alone as the basis for salvation, removing all uncertainty through the objective work of redemption.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this hymn in German as 'Durch Jesu Blut und Verdienste' in the early 17th century. Matthias Loy translated it into English for American Lutheran hymnals in 1880.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship — 445
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 414
Lutheran Service Book — 746
Lutheran Worship — 369
The Lutheran Hymnal — 372

Translation

Matthias Loy

Bulletin Note

Martin Behm (1610) captures Reformation confidence in Christ's merit as our sole foundation for salvation. The sturdy L.M. tune JESUS CHRISTUS UNSER HEILAND underscores this doctrinal strength with theological ballast.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith, making it a powerful response to any sermon unpacking how the cross removes the condemnation of the Law and bestows Christ's righteousness upon the believer.

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.

Simon Dach (1605–1659), professor of poetry at Königsberg and the central figure of the Königsberg poets' circle with Heinrich Albert (TLH 549, 347) and Valentin Thilo (TLH 75). The German original is 'Ich bin bei Gott in Gnaden' (1651), from Walther's Kirchen-Gesangbuch no. 239. Theme: I am in God's grace through Christ's blood and death; nothing (world, devil, sin, death) can part me from that love (cf. Rom 8:31–39). It is a confident assurance hymn, used for funerals. CCEL's byline gives his death as 1959, an obvious typo for 1659 (index note). TLH's English is composite (translator unnamed). The Free Lutheran Chorale-Book adds a new st 3 by Christopher Neuendorf (2015), meaning TLH omitted a stanza. Tune ICH DANK DIR, LIEBER HERRE (16th c.). From memory: Dach wrote many occasional poems for Königsberg weddings and funerals, and 'Annchen von Tharau' has been attributed to him.

Sources: Free Lutheran Chorale-Book.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

Septuagesima (4×)
Circumcision and Name of Jesus (3×)
Trinity 6 (3×)
Easter 6 (2×)
Trinity 11 (2×)
Trinity 19 (2×)
St. James The Elder (1×)
Trinity 9 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Lent 1 (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

Simon Dach, professor of poetry at Königsberg, wrote this paraphrase of Romans 8:31-39. It begins with peace with God through Jesus' blood and merit, so that nothing can daunt the spirit and hell's rage may be derided (st. 1); then follows Paul's catalog — no want, pain, famine, peril or flood can separate us from God's love (st. 2), nor life, death, angels, powers, things present or to come, height or depth (st. 3), nor any creature, for this love flows from the Savior's blood (st. 4). It is pure assurance grounded in justification.

Central theme: Nothing can separate the justified from God's love in Christ (Rom 8:31-39)

Structure

Four eight-line stanzas (7.6.7.6 D). Justification and courage (1) — Paul's catalog (2-4); st. 3-4 form one sentence.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout; the threats (hell, famine, death, powers) are named as unable to separate.

Confessional Connections

Peace with God through Christ's merit (Rom 5:1; AC IV). Assurance of salvation flows from justification (Ap IV.62). God's love is located in Christ's blood, not in our feelings (st. 4). FC XI: election in Christ as comfort.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

General; funerals; times of persecution or trial; Trinity season.

Historical Notes

Dach (1605-1659), Königsberg poet. CCEL's byline gave his death year as 1959; corrected to 1659 in the master.

About the Tune

ICH DANK DIR, LIEBER HERRE (Nürnberg, 1532), per TLH; the index lists LOB GOTT GETROST MIT SINGEN.

Scripture References

Rom 5:1 Rom 8:31-39 Ps 23:4 Ps 118:6 Ps 44:22 1 John 4:10 John 10:28-29

Stanza by Stanza

1 Through Jesus' blood and merit…

Through Jesus' blood and merit I am at peace with God; what then can frighten my spirit, however dark my road? My courage will not fail, for God is on my side; though hell itself attacks me, I can laugh at its rage.

Rom 5:1: 'justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' The ground is 'Jesus' blood and merit.' From justification flows courage: 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Rom 8:31; Ps 118:6). Even hell's rage is laughable — Luther's 'one little word can fell him.'

Scripture: Rom 5:1, Rom 8:31, Ps 118:6, Ps 23:4
Imagery & language: Peace; dark road; hell derided.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — peace and courage.
Connection to previous: Ground.

justification peace with God courage

2 There's naught that me can sever…

Nothing can separate me from God's great love — no want, no pain, no famine, peril or flood. Though thousands of enemies surround me and mark your sheep for slaughter, they will never overthrow me; I will reap the victory.

Rom 8:35-37: 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress… or famine… or danger?… As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered (Ps 44:22). No, in all these things we are more than conquerors.'

Scripture: Rom 8:35-37, Ps 44:22, Ps 3:6
Imagery & language: Catalog of threats; sheep for slaughter; victory.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — unbreakable love.
Connection to previous: Catalog I.

assurance suffering victory in Christ

3 Yea, neither life's temptation…

Yes, neither life's temptations nor the trying hour of death, nor angels of high rank, nor any other power, nor things present nor things to come, nor height however pleasant, nor depths of deepest gloom,

Rom 8:38-39 nearly verbatim. Note 'height, however pleasant' — even good things cannot separate; and 'depths of deepest gloom' — even despair cannot. The sentence continues into st. 4.

Scripture: Rom 8:38-39
Imagery & language: Paul's list.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — nothing separates.
Connection to previous: Catalog II.

assurance providence

4 Nor any creature ever…

nor any creature will ever separate this wretched sinner from God's love; for this love has its source in my Savior's blood; he hears my faithful prayer and never forsakes his own dear child and heir.

Rom 8:39: 'nor anything else in all creation.' 'This wretched sinner' — assurance is not for the worthy but for sinners. The decisive line: 'in my Savior's blood this love its fountain taketh' — God's love is known and grounded in Christ's death (Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10), not in our feelings. 'Child and heir' (Rom 8:17).

Scripture: Rom 8:39, Rom 5:8, 1 John 4:10, Rom 8:17, Heb 13:5
Imagery & language: Fountain of love; child and heir.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — love grounded in Christ's blood.
Connection to previous: Conclusion.

love of God assurance adoption

Themes

Justification by faith Assurance of salvation Victory over sin and death God's grace and mercy Christian confidence

Look Further

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