We Are the Lord's His All-Sufficient Merit
We are the Lord's His all-sufficient merit
We Are the Lord's His All-Sufficient Merit is a hymn text by Erdmann Neumeister (1714) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in lbw 399, lw 325, tlh 453. Sung to WERDE MUNTER.
This hymn emphasizes the substitutionary atonement and imputed righteousness of Christ as the sole basis for Christian assurance, reflecting Lutheran soteriology. It expresses the paradox of Christian freedom: belonging entirely to Christ yet possessing His inexhaustible merit as our own.
History & Background
Originally composed as a German chorale by Lutheran pastor Erdmann Neumeister in the early 18th century. The text was translated into English in the 19th century and became popular in Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 399
- Lutheran Worship — 325
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 453
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Erdmann Neumeister in 1714, this hymn embodies Lutheran soteriology—Christ's substitutionary atonement as the sole basis for Christian assurance and the paradox of Christian freedom through union with Christ.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran proclamation of imputed righteousness: the Law condemns our merit as nothing, yet the Gospel announces that Christ's merit is legally and graciously transferred to us.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law and Gospel: The soul's radical unworthiness (stanzas 1-2) gives way to Christ's redemptive power (stanzas 3-4). The hymn moves from honest confession of sin to confident reception of grace.
Overview
Karl Johann Philipp Spitta's hymn on Rom 14:8 ('whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's'), set to EIRENE by Frances Ridley Havergal. We are the Lord's by his all-sufficient merit sealed on the cross (st. 1); so let our lives bear clear witness (st. 2); no darkness can make us tremble — 'Faith's full assurance that we are the Lord's' (st. 3); not even death, which we shall vanquish (st. 4).
Central theme: Belonging to the Lord by his merit sealed on the cross — the ground of witness, assurance and victory over death
Structure
Four quatrains (11.10.11.10), each line 4 ending 'we are the Lord's.' Merit (1) — witness (2) — assurance (3) — death (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'His all-sufficient merit, / Sealed on the cross'; 'Faith's full assurance'; 'Death we shall vanquish.'
Confessional Connections
Rom 14:8 (TLH's text). St. 1: 'His all-sufficient merit, / Sealed on the cross' — the ground of belonging is Christ's merit alone, not our dedication (AC IV; SC Second Article: 'that I may be His own'). St. 2: witness 'in deeds, not empty words' — faith active in love (AC VI; Jas 2:18). St. 3: 'Faith's full assurance' (Heb 10:22) — Lutherans teach that the believer can and should be certain of grace, contra Trent (Ap IV.119). St. 4: death vanquished (1 Cor 15:55-57).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Funerals; Trinity season; confirmation; Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity.
Historical Notes
Spitta (1801-1859), Hanoverian Lutheran pastor, author of Psalter und Harfe (1833, 1843), the most popular German devotional hymnbook of the 19th century. Astley (1825-1898) translated it in 1860.
About the Tune
EIRENE (Frances R. Havergal, 1871).
Scripture References
Rom 14:7-9 1 Cor 6:19-20 Col 2:14 1 Cor 3:21-23 Rom 8:17 Jas 2:18 Matt 5:16 2 Pet 1:19 Heb 10:22 Eccl 12:6 1 Cor 15:55-57
Stanza by Stanza
We are the Lord's; his all-sufficient merit, sealed on the cross, gives us this grace. We are the Lord's and will inherit all things; whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
'Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again' (Rom 14:8-9). 'All are yours… and you are Christ's' (1 Cor 3:21-23). Refrain-line: 'we are the Lord's' (Rom 14:8).
- Scripture
- Rom 14:7-9, Col 2:14, 1 Cor 3:21-23, Rom 8:17
- Imagery & language
- All-sufficient merit; sealed on cross; inherit; live or die.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — belonging by Christ's merit.
- Connection to previous
- His merit.
We are the Lord's; then let us gladly offer our souls to him in deeds, not empty words. Let heart, tongue and life combine to give no uncertain witness that we are the Lord's.
'Let your light shine before others' (Matt 5:16). 'I will show you my faith by my works' (Jas 2:18). 'You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body' (1 Cor 6:20).
- Scripture
- Matt 5:16, Jas 2:18, 1 Cor 6:19-20
- Imagery & language
- Tender souls; deeds not words; witness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — fruit of belonging.
- Connection to previous
- Witness.
We are the Lord's; no darkness brooding over us can make us tremble while this star gives a steady light along our path — faith's full assurance that we are the Lord's.
'The prophetic word… a lamp shining in a dark place, until… the morning star rises in your hearts' (2 Pet 1:19). 'In full assurance of faith' (Heb 10:22). Ap IV on certainty.
- Scripture
- 2 Pet 1:19, Heb 10:22
- Imagery & language
- Darkness; star; steady light; full assurance.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — assurance.
- Connection to previous
- Full assurance.
We are the Lord's; no evil can happen to us in the dreadful hour when life's cords are loosening fast; not even death's pangs will terrify us; we will conquer death, for we are the Lord's.
'Before the silver cord is snapped' (Eccl 12:6). 'O death, where is your victory?… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory' (1 Cor 15:55-57).
- Scripture
- Eccl 12:6, 1 Cor 15:55-57, Rom 14:8
- Imagery & language
- Dread hour; cords loosening; death vanquished.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — victory over death.
- Connection to previous
- Death vanquished.
Themes
Christ's righteousness Assurance of salvation Election and grace Union with Christ