We Are the Lord's His All-Sufficient Merit
We are the Lord's His all-sufficient merit
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.
Themes
Christ's righteousness Assurance of salvation Election and grace Union with Christ