When o'er My Sins I Sorrow
When o'er my sins I sorrow
When o'er My Sins I Sorrow is a hymn text by Heinrich Behm (1602) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 109, ELH 276, lw 367, tlh 152. Sung to ST. FLAVIAN.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran penitential spirituality, moving from contrition over sin to confidence in Christ's atoning work as the foundation of forgiveness. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice (Heb. 10:14) and the assurance of justification available through faith alone.
History & Background
Heinrich Behm's German hymn 'Herzlich tut mich verlangen' was published in 1602 and became a significant penitential hymn in German Lutheran hymnody. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her 1863 collection 'Lyra Germanica,' bringing this meditation on repentance and forgiveness to English-speaking Lutherans.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 109
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 276
- Lutheran Worship — 367
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 152
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Heinrich Behm in 1602, this German hymn exemplifies Lutheran penitential theology, moving decisively from the Law's accusation of sin to the Gospel's comfort in Christ's finished work and justifying grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic: it names sin's weight unflinchingly, then resolves every accusation in the sufficiency of Christ's atoning sacrifice, offering preachers a vehicle to move hearers from conviction to assurance.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.
Overview
A Lenten hymn by Justus Gesenius, court preacher at Hanover and author of a widely used catechism. It is a hymn for the troubled conscience: when sins grieve me, I look to the slain Christ and take comfort that his blood was shed for me (st. 1). What a marvelous exchange — the Master spares the servants and bears their grief; God stoops to die as man (st. 2). My transgressions can no longer harm me; I am no longer afraid of hell (st. 3); so I will spend my breath in thanks for his cry, sufferings and guiltless death (st. 4).
Central theme: The sorrowing sinner finds comfort by looking to Christ, the God-man slain for him, whose blood removes all guilt
Structure
Four seven-line stanzas (7.6.7.6.8.7.6). Looking to the cross (1) — the marvelous exchange (2) — fear removed (3) — thanks (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Classic Law-Gospel for the conscience: sorrow over sin, 'most unworthy,' 'guilty creature' (1-2) answered by 'Thou wast slain for me,' 'my debts hath paid,' 'no more afraid' (1-3).
Confessional Connections
The two parts of repentance: contrition ('When o'er my sins I sorrow') and faith that looks to Christ (AC XII.3-6). 'Thou wast slain for me' — pro me (Ap IV). St. 2: 'God stoopeth… He deigns as man to die' — the one who died is God (FC VIII.20; Acts 20:28); the 'marvelous offering' is the 'happy exchange' (fröhlicher Wechsel). St. 3: 'My manifold transgression henceforth can harm me none' — no condemnation (Rom 8:1). Heb 10:14 (TLH's text): 'by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.'
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Holy Week; confession; Communion preparation.
Historical Notes
Gesenius (1601-1673) was general superintendent in Hanover; his hymn appeared in the Hanover hymnal of 1646.
About the Tune
TLH: WENN MEINE SÜND' (Michael Praetorius, 1609). Row 1857 lists HERR CHRIST, DER EINIG GOTTS SOHN; row 1855 has no tune.
Scripture References
Heb 10:14 Ps 38:4 John 3:14-15 Isa 53:5 1 Pet 1:18-19 1 Tim 1:15 John 13:13-15 Phil 2:6-8 Isa 53:4-6 Acts 20:28 Rom 8:1, 33-34 Col 2:14 Heb 2:14-15 Ps 116:12-17 Matt 27:46
Stanza by Stanza
When I grieve over my sins, Lord, I will look to you and draw my comfort from the fact that you were slain for me. Yes, Lord, your precious blood was shed for me, most unworthy, to take away my guilt.
Contrition turns not inward but to the cross — like the Israelites looking to the bronze serpent (John 3:14-15). 'For me, O most unworthy' (1 Tim 1:15). Blood shed to take away guilt (1 Pet 1:18-19; Isa 53:5).
- Scripture
- Ps 38:4, John 3:14-15, Isa 53:5, 1 Pet 1:18-19, 1 Tim 1:15
- Imagery & language
- Sorrow; looking; blood spilt.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sorrow over sin; Gospel — slain for me.
- Connection to previous
- Looking to the cross.
What a wonderful sacrifice! Look — the Master spares his servants and bears their suffering and grief for them. God stoops from his throne on high; for me, his guilty creature, he consents to die as a man.
The reversal: the Master dies for the servants (John 13:13-15; Isa 53:4). 'God stoopeth… as man to die' — Phil 2:6-8; Acts 20:28. Lutheran Christology insists the one who died is truly God (FC VIII.20); otherwise his death could not save.
- Scripture
- Phil 2:6-8, Isa 53:4-6, Acts 20:28, John 13:13-15, Rom 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Master and servants; God stooping.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — God dies for his creature.
- Connection to previous
- Marvelous offering.
From now on my many sins can do me no harm, since Jesus' bloody Passion has won God's grace for me. His precious blood has paid my debts; I am no longer afraid of hell and all its torments.
'There is therefore now no condemnation' (Rom 8:1). Debts paid (Col 2:14). Freedom from fear of hell (Heb 2:14-15). Heb 10:14 (TLH's text): one offering perfects forever.
- Scripture
- Rom 8:1, 33-34, Col 2:14, Heb 2:14-15, Heb 10:14
- Imagery & language
- Debts paid; no fear of hell.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — guilt removed.
- Connection to previous
- No more afraid.
So I will give you glory forever, Jesus, loving Savior, for what you did for me. I will spend my breath in songs of thanks for your sad cry, your sufferings, your wrongs and your guiltless death.
Thanks as the fruit of forgiveness (Ps 116:12-17). 'Thy sad cry' — 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt 27:46). 'Guiltless death' — the innocent for the guilty (1 Pet 3:18).
- Scripture
- Ps 116:12-17, Matt 27:46, 1 Pet 3:18
- Imagery & language
- Songs of thanks; guiltless death.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — thanksgiving.
- Connection to previous
- Thanks.
Themes
Repentance Forgiveness of sins Grace of Christ Justification by faith Assurance