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To the Name of Our Salvation

To the name of our salvation

To the Name of Our Salvation is a hymn text by Latin author unknown; attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (1873) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John Mason Neale. Found in ELH 159, elw 298, h82 248, lbw 279. Sung to WAREHAM.

The hymn reflects Lutheran soteriology by proclaiming that salvation comes exclusively through Christ's name and redemptive work. It emphasizes the centrality of Christ as the only source of salvation, consistent with Lutheran confessional teaching on justification.

History & Background

This Latin hymn of medieval origin celebrates the power and redemptive significance of Christ's name. John Mason Neale's 1873 English translation became the standard version used in Lutheran hymnals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 159
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 298
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 248
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 279
  • Lutheran Service Book — 707
  • Lutheran Worship — 366
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 116
  • With One Voice — 695

Translation

John Mason Neale

Bulletin Note

Attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (6th century), this Latin hymn was translated into English by 1873. Its steady L.M. meter and focus on Christ's universal saving name made it beloved in Lutheran liturgy.

Preaching Connection

This hymn powerfully concentrates the Gospel's promise: Christ's name is the singular locus of salvation, making it an ideal response to any proclamation of justification by grace through faith apart from works.

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

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.

Latin 'Gloriosi Salvatoris nominis praeconia', perhaps 15th c.; found in an Antwerp breviary of 1496 (TLH's date). Neale thought it German in origin; his translation appeared in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1851) and, altered, in the first Hymns Ancient & Modern. Used for the Feast of the Holy Name (my addition, not confirmed in the source). Source: Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology.

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 late medieval Latin hymn for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, translated by J. M. Neale. The saving name, hidden in God's foreknowledge for generations, is now sung aloud (st. 1); 'Jesus' is a name beyond words, saving from sin and hell (st. 2); a name for adoration, victory, meditation in this vale of misery, and the praise of heaven (st. 3); music to the ear when preached, comfort in prayer (st. 4); a name above every name, before which hell's powers flee (st. 5); and the singers ask Jesus to write it in their hearts so they may sing it with angels (st. 6).

Central theme: The saving name of Jesus — hidden in God's eternal counsel, now preached, prayed and adored, victorious over hell

Structure

Six six-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.7). Revealed name (1) — name beyond words (2) — name for all uses (3) — preached and prayed (4) — prevailing name (5) — written in hearts (6).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'Saving us from sin and hell'; 'God… saves us by this name of might' (2, 5).

Confessional Connections

Acts 4:12 (TLH's text): 'no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved.' The name hidden 'in God's foreknowledge' (Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20) — salvation in Christ planned from eternity (FC XI). 'Whoso preacheth' the name and 'who in prayer this name beseecheth' — the Name comes to us in preaching and is used in prayer (Rom 10:13-15; John 16:23; Second Commandment, SC: 'call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks'). Victory over hell (Phil 2:10).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Name of Jesus (January 1 or 2); New Year; general.

Historical Notes

The Latin hymn appears in German breviaries of the late 15th century; Neale translated it in 1851.

About the Tune

SIEH, HIER BIN ICH (Geistreiches Gesangbuch, Darmstadt, 1698).

Scripture References

Acts 4:12 Matt 1:21 Eph 1:4 1 Pet 1:20 Rom 16:25-26 Song 1:3 Phil 2:9-11 Rev 5:11-13 Rom 10:13-15 John 16:23 Luke 10:17 Mark 16:17 Rev 3:12 Rev 22:4

Stanza by Stanza

1 To the name of our salvation…

Let us give praise and honor to the name of our salvation, which lay hidden in God's foreknowledge for many generations; but today we may sing it aloud with holy joy.

Acts 4:12 (TLH's text). 'The mystery hidden for ages… now revealed' (Rom 16:25-26; Col 1:26). Chosen in Christ 'before the foundation of the world' (Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20).

Scripture
Acts 4:12, Rom 16:25-26, Eph 1:4, 1 Pet 1:20
Imagery & language
Hidden name; foreknowledge; revealed.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — the Name revealed.
Connection to previous
The Name revealed.
Name of Jesus election revelation
2 Jesus is the name we treasure,…

Jesus is the name we treasure, a name beyond words; a name of gladness and pleasure, delighting ear and heart; a name of sweetness beyond measure, saving us from sin and hell.

'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins' (Matt 1:21). 'Your name is oil poured out' (Song 1:3).

Scripture
Matt 1:21, Song 1:3
Imagery & language
Treasured name; sweetness; saving.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — salvation in the Name.
Connection to previous
Treasured name.
Name of Jesus salvation
3 'Tis the name for adoration;…

It is the name for adoration, the name of victory, the name for meditation in this valley of misery, the name for worship by the citizens of heaven.

Worship (Phil 2:10), victory (1 Cor 15:57), meditation in sorrow (Ps 84:6), heaven's praise (Rev 5:11-13).

Scripture
Phil 2:9-11, 1 Cor 15:57, Ps 84:6, Rev 5:11-13
Imagery & language
Adoration; victory; meditation; heaven.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — the Name for all of life.
Connection to previous
Name for all.
Name of Jesus worship comfort
4 'Tis the name that whoso preacheth…

It is the name that sounds like music to the ear of whoever preaches it; whoever calls on this name in prayer finds the sweetest comfort near; whoever reaches its perfect wisdom possesses heavenly joy here.

The Name preached (Rom 10:14-15) and called upon (Rom 10:13; John 16:23). The Second Commandment's right use: 'call upon it… pray, praise, and give thanks' (SC). Christ 'became to us wisdom from God' (1 Cor 1:30).

Scripture
Rom 10:13-15, John 16:23, 1 Cor 1:30
Imagery & language
Preached; prayed; wisdom.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — the Name in Word and prayer.
Connection to previous
Preached and prayed.
preaching prayer Second Commandment
5 Jesus is the name prevailing…

Jesus is the name that rightly prevails over every name; at this name the powers of hell flee in terror; God, in never-failing mercy, saves us by this mighty name.

'The name that is above every name… every knee should bow… under the earth' (Phil 2:9-10). 'Even the demons are subject to us in your name' (Luke 10:17).

Scripture
Phil 2:9-11, Luke 10:17, Mark 16:17
Imagery & language
Prevailing name; hell put to flight.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — victory over hell.
Connection to previous
Prevailing name.
Christus Victor Name of Jesus
6 Therefore we in love adoring…

So, adoring in love, we revere this most blessed name, Holy Jesus, asking you to write it in us here, so that afterward, soaring heavenward, we may sing with the angels there.

'I will write on him the name of my God… and my own new name' (Rev 3:12); 'his name will be on their foreheads' (Rev 22:4). In Baptism the Name is placed on us (Matt 28:19).

Scripture
Rev 3:12, Rev 22:4, Matt 28:19
Imagery & language
Name written in us; angels.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — the Name given.
Connection to previous
Written in us.
Name of Jesus Baptism heaven

Themes

Salvation in Christ's name Redemption Honor to Jesus Cross and Resurrection Universal lordship

Look Further