To Thee, Our God, We Fly
To Thee, our God, we fly
To Thee, Our God, We Fly is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 315, tlh 580.
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran understanding of God's dual character as both just and merciful, drawing directly from the Exodus theophany where God reveals His name and nature. It expresses the evangelical confidence that despite human sinfulness, God's mercy endures eternally for those who repent and seek His face.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German hymn early in the 17th century as an expression of penitential trust in God's merciful nature. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863, and it has remained a standard Lutheran hymn of repentance and divine mercy.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 315
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 580
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1602) drew this hymn from Exodus 34, where God reveals Himself as both just and merciful. It remains a touchstone of Lutheran spirituality: sinners fly to the God who judges and pardons.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the dual movement of Law and Gospel: it names human sinfulness before God's justice, then proclaims with evangelical certainty that mercy awaits all who repent and trust in God's revealed name.
Overview
William Walsham How's national litany, built on the Lord's mercy in Exodus 34:6-7. Each stanza ends with a refrain asking God to guard and bless the Fatherland. It asks for mercy (st. 1), the removal of shameful sins (st. 2), the best gifts (st. 3), wise rulers (st. 4), a Church united and set on fire (st. 5), faithful pastors (st. 6), love for God's house and day (st. 7), and peace (st. 8). It ends with a confession: 'Though vile and worthless, still / Thy people, Lord, are we,' and we will have no other God (st. 9).
Central theme: A national litany asking mercy for land, rulers, Church and pastors, sealed with the First Commandment
Structure
Nine 6.6.6.6.8.8 stanzas with a refrain couplet. Mercy (1); sins removed (2); gifts (3); rulers (4); Church (5); pastors (6); worship (7); peace (8); covenant confession (9).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'sins that put to shame'; 'lawless deed of crime'; 'vile and worthless' (2, 8-9). Gospel: 'For mercy and for grace'; 'Thy people, Lord, are we' (1, 9).
Confessional Connections
Exod 34:6-7 (TLH's text): 'The LORD, merciful and gracious.' The hymn moves through the two kingdoms in turn. Civil: rulers 'ordained by Thee' to 'rule in righteousness' (st. 4; Rom 13; AC XVI). Spiritual: the Church, kept one in 'life and truth' (st. 5; AC VII), and pastors 'faithful, pure, and bold' (st. 6; AC V, XIV; Tr 'the ministry of the Word'). St. 7: 'sanctify Thy day', which the Catechism explains as not despising preaching and the Word but holding it sacred and gladly hearing and learning it (SC Third Commandment). St. 8: 'Give peace, Lord, in our time' echoes the old Da pacem (TLH 'Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord'). St. 9: 'none other have but Thee' is the First Commandment; 'vile and worthless, still Thy people' is simul iustus.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
National days; Thanksgiving Day; days of prayer; Rogation.
Historical Notes
How (1823-1897), later Bishop of Wakefield, wrote it in 1871. TLH reads 'Fatherland', and versions differ on this line (verify).
About the Tune
CROFT'S 136TH (William Croft, 1709).
Scripture References
Exod 34:6-7 Ps 27:9 Ps 102:1-2 Joel 2:18 Ps 85:12 Jas 1:17 Rom 13:1-4 1 Tim 2:1-2 John 17:21 Luke 12:49 1 Pet 5:2-4 2 Tim 4:2 Ps 26:8 Exod 20:8 Ps 116:14 Ps 122:6-7 Exod 20:3 Ps 95:7 Luke 15:21
Stanza by Stanza
We run to you, our God, for mercy and grace; hear our humble cry and do not hide your face! Lord, stretch out your mighty hand and guard and bless our homeland.
'Hide not your face from me' (Ps 27:9). 'Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!' (Ps 102:1). Refrain: 'O Lord, stretch forth Thy mighty hand / And guard and bless our Fatherland.'
- Scripture
- Exod 34:6-7, Ps 27:9, Ps 102:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Fly to Thee; mercy and grace; face; mighty hand.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: refuge in mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Mercy.
Rise up, Lord of hosts, be jealous for your name and drive out of our borders the sins that bring shame.
'Then the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people' (Joel 2:18). 'I will be jealous for my holy name' (Ezek 39:25).
- Scripture
- Joel 2:18, Ezek 39:25, Prov 14:34
- Imagery & language
- Lord of hosts; jealous for Thy name; sins that shame.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: national sin.
- Connection to previous
- Sins driven out.
Pour your best gifts from above in rich abundance, so that we may magnify you and praise you more and more.
'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above' (Jas 1:17). 'The LORD will give what is good' (Ps 85:12).
- Scripture
- Jas 1:17, Ps 85:12
- Imagery & language
- Best gifts; abundance; praise.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: gifts poured out.
- Connection to previous
- Gifts.
Bless the authorities you have ordained with heavenly wisdom; may they be your servants and rule in righteousness!
'Those that exist have been instituted by God… he is God's servant for your good' (Rom 13:1, 4). 'For kings and all who are in high positions' (1 Tim 2:2). AC XVI.
- Scripture
- Rom 13:1-4, 1 Tim 2:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Powers ordained; wisdom; servants; righteousness.
- Law / Gospel
- Law, civil use: righteous rule.
- Connection to previous
- Rulers.
Set the Church of your dear Son on fire with pure love; bind her into one once more and breathe life and truth into her.
'That they may all be one' (John 17:21). 'I came to cast fire on the earth' (Luke 12:49). AC VII: the one holy Church.
- Scripture
- John 17:21, Luke 12:49, Eph 4:3-6
- Imagery & language
- Church; love's pure fire; one; life and truth.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the Church renewed.
- Connection to previous
- Church.
Give the pastors of your flock grace and power, so that they may be true shepherds: faithful, pure and bold.
'Shepherd the flock of God that is among you' (1 Pet 5:2). 'Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season' (2 Tim 4:2). AC V, XIV.
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 5:2-4, 2 Tim 4:2, Acts 20:28
- Imagery & language
- Pastors; grace and power; faithful, pure, bold.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: the ministry provided.
- Connection to previous
- Pastors.
Let us love your house, keep your day holy, bring you our vows and pay you loyal homage.
'O LORD, I love the habitation of your house' (Ps 26:8). 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy' (Exod 20:8). 'I will pay my vows to the LORD' (Ps 116:14). SC Third Commandment.
- Scripture
- Ps 26:8, Exod 20:8, Ps 116:14
- Imagery & language
- Love Thy house; sanctify Thy day; vows; homage.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: Third Commandment. Gospel: delight in worship.
- Connection to previous
- Thy day.
Give peace in our time, Lord; let no enemy come near, and let no lawless crime insult your majesty!
'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!' (Ps 122:6). The ancient Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris.
- Scripture
- Ps 122:6-7, 1 Tim 2:2
- Imagery & language
- Peace in our time; no foe; lawless crime.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel: peace as gift.
- Connection to previous
- Peace.
Though we are vile and worthless, we are still your people, Lord; and we will have no other God but you.
'I am no longer worthy to be called your son' (Luke 15:21). 'We are the people of his pasture' (Ps 95:7). 'You shall have no other gods before me' (Exod 20:3).
- Scripture
- Luke 15:21, Ps 95:7, Exod 20:3
- Imagery & language
- Vile and worthless; Thy people; none other.
- Law / Gospel
- Law: unworthiness. Gospel: still God's people.
- Connection to previous
- None but Thee.
Themes
Divine mercy Repentance God's compassion Forgiveness Trust in God