To Our Redeemer's Glorious Name
To our Redeemer's glorious name
To Our Redeemer's Glorious Name is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in L.M. meter. Found in tlh 363. Sung to WAREHAM.
The hymn emphasizes the universal praise owed to Christ as Redeemer and Lord, consistent with Lutheran emphasis on Christ's redemptive work and universal Lordship. It calls believers to join creation in exalting God's name and recognizing His sovereignty.
History & Background
This hymn appears in 19th-century English hymnal collections with uncertain authorship. It reflects the didactic praise tradition common to English hymnody of the period.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 363
Bulletin Note
From the early nineteenth century, this anonymous hymn in Long Meter expresses the Reformed and Lutheran conviction that Christ's redemption commands the praise of all creation, sung here to the sturdy German tune Arnsberg.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's universal claim: that Christ's redemptive work belongs not to a chosen few but to all people, inviting hearers to move from the conviction of sin to the radiant joy of belonging wholly to their crucified and risen Lord.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's compassionate presence amid human suffering and social chaos, calling the Church to incarnational witness and mercy
Overview
Anne Steele's hymn of praise for Christ's love. Awake the song; may his love tune every heart (st. 1); his love outstrips thought (st. 2); he left heaven to bleed and die — 'Was ever love like this?' (st. 3); may every heart say 'The Savior died for me!' (st. 4); may strangers learn to love the name and join the song (st. 5).
Central theme: The incomprehensible love of the Redeemer who left heaven to die for me, praised until strangers join the song
Structure
Five common-meter quatrains. Awake (1) — beyond thought (2) — incarnation and cross (3) — pro me (4) — mission (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: 'came to earth to bleed and die'; 'The Savior died for me!'
Confessional Connections
Ps 135:1 (TLH's text): 'Praise the name of the LORD.' St. 3 confesses the incarnation and atonement in Phil 2 language: he 'left His radiant throne… came to earth to bleed and die.' St. 4: 'The Savior died for me!' — the pro me of faith (Gal 2:20; Luther: faith believes not only that Christ died, but that he died for me; Ap IV.45). St. 5: praise that becomes mission — 'Till strangers love the charming name' (Isa 55:5).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
General praise; Lent; mission.
Historical Notes
From Steele's Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional (1760).
About the Tune
BEDFORD (William Wheall, 1729).
Scripture References
Ps 135:1 Ps 57:8 Eph 3:18-19 Phil 2:6-8 2 Cor 8:9 Lam 1:12 John 15:13 Gal 2:20 Isa 55:5 Rev 5:9
Stanza by Stanza
Wake the sacred song to our Redeemer's glorious name. May his love, an undying flame, tune every heart and tongue.
'Praise the name of the LORD' (Ps 135:1). 'Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre!' (Ps 57:8).
- Scripture
- Ps 135:1, Ps 57:8
- Imagery & language
- Redeemer's name; sacred song; immortal flame.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — love inspiring praise.
- Connection to previous
- Awake.
His love — what human thought can reach it, what mortal tongue describe it? Imagination's furthest stretch dies away in wonder.
'To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge' (Eph 3:19).
- Scripture
- Eph 3:18-19
- Imagery & language
- Love beyond thought; wonder.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — immeasurable love.
- Connection to previous
- Beyond thought.
He left his radiant throne on high, left realms of heavenly bliss, and came to earth to bleed and die — was there ever love like this?
'He emptied himself… becoming obedient to the point of death' (Phil 2:7-8). 'Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor' (2 Cor 8:9). 'Is there any sorrow like my sorrow?' (Lam 1:12).
- Scripture
- Phil 2:6-8, 2 Cor 8:9, John 15:13
- Imagery & language
- Throne left; bleed and die; was ever love like this?
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — incarnation and cross.
- Connection to previous
- Was ever love?
Dear Lord, while we adoringly give our humble thanks to you, may every heart say with rapture, 'The Savior died for me!'
'The Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me' (Gal 2:20). The pro me of faith (Ap IV).
- Scripture
- Gal 2:20, 1 Tim 1:15
- Imagery & language
- Thanks; 'The Savior died for me!'
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — pro me.
- Connection to previous
- Died for me.
May the sweet, blissful theme fill every heart and tongue until strangers love the charming name and join the sacred song!
'Nations that did not know you shall run to you' (Isa 55:5). The song of every tribe (Rev 5:9).
- Scripture
- Isa 55:5, Rev 5:9, Ps 96:3
- Imagery & language
- Blissful theme; strangers; sacred song.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mission through praise.
- Connection to previous
- Strangers join.
Themes
Praise and adoration God's reign and authority Thanksgiving Divine majesty