We Sing Immanuel Thy Praise
We sing Immanuel thy praise
We Sing Immanuel Thy Praise is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in lw 298, tlh 108.
The hymn celebrates the Incarnation as the central mystery of Christian faith, emphasizing that God became human in Christ to accomplish salvation. This reflects Lutheran Christology and the joy of redemption through Emmanuel, God-with-us.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Wir singen dir Immanuel dein Lob' was published in his hymnal around 1610. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in her 1863 collection, becoming a standard English-language hymn in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 298
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 108
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1557–1622) penned this Reformation-era hymn celebrating the incarnation. Its Long Meter and sturdy tune IMMANUEL have anchored Lutheran praise for over four centuries, proclaiming that in Christ, the infinite God becomes our Emmanuel.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully bridges Law and Gospel: it acknowledges our unworthiness before God's majesty while flooding that acknowledgment with the liberating joy of Emmanuel's gracious nearness, making it ideal for sermons on Christ's incarnational rescue of sinful humanity.
Overview
Paul Gerhardt's Christmas hymn to Immanuel, each stanza ending 'Hallelujah!' It praises Christ with titles — Prince of Life, Fount of grace, Flower of heaven, Star of morn (st. 1) — whom patriarchs and prophets longed for (st. 2). Then paradoxes: the one who makes all things great is small; so poor, yet clothing all (st. 3); the source of all gladness bears bitter woes (st. 4). The singer confesses an honest, weak love (st. 5-6), and then the theological heart: 'Had I no load of sin to bear, Thy grace, O Lord, I could not share; in vain hadst Thou been born for me if from God's wrath I had been free' (st. 7). It ends praising him year by year and in heaven (st. 8).
Central theme: Praise of Immanuel, who became small and poor for sinners — and whose birth is precisely for those burdened with sin
Structure
Eight long-meter stanzas with 'Hallelujah!' Titles (1) — longing (2) — paradoxes (3-4) — weak love (5-6) — born for sinners (7) — praise forever (8).
Law & Gospel Shape
St. 7 is a perfect Law-Gospel pivot: the 'load of sin' and 'God's wrath' are what make Christ's birth 'for me.' Honest Law in st. 5-6: love that is weak.
Confessional Connections
St. 3's paradoxes ('making all things great, art small… so poor art Thou, yet clothest all') are the communication of attributes (FC VIII). St. 5-6's 'I have the will, the power is weak' (Rom 7:18) — the believer's weak love, accepted by grace. St. 7 is classic Lutheran theology: Christ came 'not to call the righteous but sinners' (Luke 5:32); the Gospel is for those terrified by sin and wrath (Ap IV; FC V). 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1 Tim 1:15).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas; Christmas season; New Year.
Historical Notes
Gerhardt's hymn first appeared in Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica (1653); TLH uses eight stanzas.
About the Tune
ERSCHIENEN IST DER HERRLICH TAG (Nikolaus Herman, 1560).
Scripture References
Matt 1:23 Acts 3:15 John 1:16 Isa 11:1 Rev 22:16 Rev 19:16 Isa 7:14 Luke 10:24 1 Pet 1:10-12 Heb 11:13 Col 1:16-17 2 Cor 8:9 Isa 53:3 Luke 2:32 John 21:17 Rom 7:18 Matt 26:41 Luke 5:31-32 1 Tim 1:15 Rom 5:8-9 Ps 146:2 Rev 5:13
Stanza by Stanza
We sing your praise, Immanuel, Prince of Life and Fountain of grace, Flower of heaven and Morning Star, Lord of lords, born of a virgin. Hallelujah!
Matt 1:23 (TLH's text): 'Immanuel… God with us.' 'Author (Prince) of life' (Acts 3:15). 'Grace upon grace' (John 1:16). The shoot of Jesse (Isa 11:1). 'The bright morning star' (Rev 22:16). 'Lord of lords' (Rev 19:16).
- Scripture
- Matt 1:23, Acts 3:15, John 1:16, Isa 11:1, Rev 22:16, Rev 19:16
- Imagery & language
- Immanuel; titles.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — praise.
- Connection to previous
- Titles.
Since the world was first made, so many hearts have watched and prayed for you; the crowd of patriarchs and prophets hoped and waited long for you. Hallelujah!
'Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see' (Luke 10:24). The prophets 'searched and inquired carefully' (1 Pet 1:10-12). The patriarchs 'died in faith, not having received the things promised' (Heb 11:13).
- Scripture
- Luke 10:24, 1 Pet 1:10-12, Heb 11:13
- Imagery & language
- Watching hearts; patriarchs and prophets.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — long-awaited promise.
- Connection to previous
- Longing.
Now you are here, Ever-blessed One! You rest in a lowly manger. You who make all things great are small; you are so poor, yet you clothe all. Hallelujah!
Paradox of the God-man: the one who 'upholds all things' (Col 1:17; Heb 1:3) lies small; 'though he was rich… he became poor' (2 Cor 8:9); he clothes the lilies (Matt 6:28-30) yet is swaddled. The communication of attributes (FC VIII).
- Scripture
- Col 1:16-17, 2 Cor 8:9, Matt 6:28-30, Luke 2:7
- Imagery & language
- Great made small; poor yet clothing all.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the paradox.
- Connection to previous
- Paradox.
All gladness flows from you above, yet you must bear such bitter sorrows; you are the Light and Hope of the Gentiles, yet you find no one to comfort your heart. Hallelujah!
'A man of sorrows' (Isa 53:3); 'I looked for comforters, but found none' (Ps 69:20). 'A light for revelation to the Gentiles' (Luke 2:32). The manger already foreshadows the cross.
- Scripture
- Isa 53:3, Ps 69:20, Luke 2:32
- Imagery & language
- Gladness and woes; Gentiles' Light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the suffering Light.
- Connection to previous
- Bitter woes.
But I, your servant, Lord, today confess my love and say freely: I truly love you, but I wish I could love you as I should. Hallelujah!
Peter: 'Lord, you know that I love you' (John 21:17). An honest confession of imperfect love — the believer remains simul iustus et peccator.
- Scripture
- John 21:17, Deut 6:5
- Imagery & language
- Confessed love; imperfect.
- Law / Gospel
- Honest confession.
- Connection to previous
- Weak love.
I have the will, but the power is weak; yet, Lord, take my humble offering and graciously receive the love my poor heart can give you. Hallelujah!
'I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out' (Rom 7:18); 'the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak' (Matt 26:41). God receives imperfect offerings for Christ's sake (1 Pet 2:5).
- Scripture
- Rom 7:18, Matt 26:41, 1 Pet 2:5
- Imagery & language
- Willing but weak; humble offering.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — weakness; Gospel — gracious acceptance.
- Connection to previous
- Offering.
If I had no load of sin to carry, I could have no share in your grace, Lord; you would have been born for me in vain if I had been free from God's wrath. Hallelujah!
The theological heart. 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners' (Luke 5:31-32); 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost' (1 Tim 1:15). The sinner's burden is not a barrier to grace but the very reason for Christmas. Saved from wrath (Rom 5:9).
- Scripture
- Luke 5:31-32, 1 Tim 1:15, Rom 5:8-9
- Imagery & language
- Load of sin; God's wrath; born for me.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin and wrath; Gospel — born for sinners.
- Connection to previous
- Born for sinners.
So I will sing your praises here with a joyful spirit year after year; and when we no longer count years, may I worship your name in heaven! Hallelujah!
'I will sing praises to my God while I have my being' (Ps 146:2). Eternity, beyond counted years (Rev 5:13).
- Scripture
- Ps 146:2, Rev 5:13
- Imagery & language
- Year by year; heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eternal praise.
- Connection to previous
- Forever.
Themes
Incarnation God with us Christ's divinity Praise and worship Emmanuel