When Sinners See Their Lost Condition
When sinners see their lost condition
When Sinners See Their Lost Condition is a hymn text by Johann Heermann (1630) in L.M. meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 32, ELH 111, lw 352, tlh 65. Sung to GOTT SEI DANK.
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran theology's emphasis on both the gravity of sin and the certainty of Christ's redemptive work, particularly through resurrection. It reflects the Reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone, showing sinners their condition and directing them to Christ's reconciling work.
History & Background
Heermann composed this hymn as part of his devotional poetry during the Thirty Years' War, reflecting on penitence and Easter resurrection. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in the mid-19th century, and it appeared in The Chorale Book for England (1863).
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 32
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 111
- Lutheran Worship — 352
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 65
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Johann Heermann in 1630, this hymn embodies Reformation clarity: sinners see their condition in the law's mirror, then find life solely in Christ's resurrection and justifying grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn enacts the Law-Gospel dialectic perfectly: it names sin's weight and shame, then pivots wholly to Christ's resurrection as the sole ground of forgiveness and restoration.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
An Advent hymn by Magnus Brostrup Landstad, the great Norwegian hymn writer and editor of the Norwegian church hymnal, translated by Oluf Smeby. Each stanza begins 'When Jesus comes/enters': when sinners feel the load of sin and Jesus comes to heal, grief flees (st. 1); when he enters a home there is peace and divided hearts love again (st. 2); when he enters a land, life is blessed (st. 3); his coming changes heart and life, conferring faith, love and hope 'through Sacrament and living Word' (st. 4); Satan's bonds are loosed and death has hope (st. 5); and may he come to every nation (st. 6). It is Advent as Christ's coming now through the means of grace.
Central theme: Christ's coming through Word and Sacrament to the penitent heart, the home, the nation and the world
Structure
Six six-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8). The sinner (1) — the home (2) — the nation (3) — the means of grace (4) — death (5) — the nations (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: sinners 'see their lost condition and feel the pressing load of sin' (1). Gospel: Jesus heals; 'from sin complete release'; Satan's bands loosed (1-2, 5).
Confessional Connections
A Lutheran Advent hymn: Christ comes now 'through Sacrament and living Word' (st. 4; AC V: through Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Spirit is given). Contrition precedes comfort: 'when sinners see their lost condition' (AC XII.3-5). Peace in the home — Christ entering Zacchaeus's house (Luke 19:9). John 20:19-26 (TLH's text): Jesus enters behind locked doors and says 'Peace be with you' — the Office of the Keys (John 20:23).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Advent; missions; general.
Historical Notes
Landstad (1802-1880) edited the Norwegian Kirkesalmebog (1869). Smeby (1851-1929) was a Norwegian-American Lutheran pastor and translator.
About the Tune
WER WEISS, WIE NAHE (TLH credits Christian Möck, 1818).
Scripture References
John 20:19-26 Matt 11:28 Luke 5:31-32 Ps 38:4 Zech 9:9 Luke 19:5-9 Eph 2:14-16 Isa 2:2-4 Ps 33:12 Rom 10:17 Matt 28:19 1 Cor 11:26 2 Cor 5:17 Rev 21:4 Heb 2:14-15 Ps 23:4 John 10:28 Isa 49:6
Stanza by Stanza
When sinners see their lost condition and feel the heavy load of sin, and Jesus comes on his mission to heal the sin-sick heart within, all grief must flee before his grace and divine joy will take its place.
Contrition: 'my iniquities… like a heavy burden' (Ps 38:4). 'Those who are well have no need of a physician… I have come to call sinners to repentance' (Luke 5:31-32). 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden' (Matt 11:28).
- Scripture
- Ps 38:4, Luke 5:31-32, Matt 11:28
- Imagery & language
- Lost condition; load of sin; healing.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the load of sin; Gospel — healing grace.
- Connection to previous
- The sinner.
When Jesus comes in, meek and humble, to fill the home with sweetest peace; when hearts have felt his holy blessing and found complete release from sin, then light and calm will reign within and divided hearts will love again.
'Your king is coming to you, humble' (Zech 9:9). 'Today salvation has come to this house' (Luke 19:9). Christ reconciles the divided (Eph 2:14-16).
- Scripture
- Zech 9:9, Luke 19:5-9, Eph 2:14-16, John 14:27
- Imagery & language
- Meek entry; peace in the home; reconciliation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — peace and reconciliation.
- Connection to previous
- The home.
When Jesus enters a land and nation and moves the people with his love; when, yielding to his kind persuasion, our hearts experience his truth and blessing, then our life on earth will be blessed and God's peace will rest on us.
'Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD' (Ps 33:12). The Gospel's civilizing fruits (Isa 2:2-4). 'Kind persuasion' — the Spirit's work through the Word, not coercion (AC XXVIII).
- Scripture
- Ps 33:12, Isa 2:2-4, 2 Cor 5:11
- Imagery & language
- Land and nation; kind persuasion.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — blessing on nations.
- Connection to previous
- The nation.
When Jesus comes — blessed story! — he changes heart and life; God's kingdom comes in power and glory to young and old, man and wife; through Sacrament and living Word faith, love and hope are now given.
The heart of the hymn: Christ comes 'through Sacrament and living Word' (AC V, XIII). SC Second Petition: God's kingdom comes 'when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit.' New creation (2 Cor 5:17). Faith, hope and love as gifts (1 Cor 13:13).
- Scripture
- Rom 10:17, Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:26, 2 Cor 5:17, 1 Cor 13:13
- Imagery & language
- Changed heart; Sacrament and Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the means of grace.
- Connection to previous
- Word and Sacrament.
Then cries and laments are stilled, every chain of Satan is loosed, there is hope and comfort in death, and the soul is safe in Jesus' hand. When we walk through death's dark valley, his rod and staff will never fail.
Christ destroys the devil and frees from fear of death (Heb 2:14-15). 'No one will snatch them out of my hand' (John 10:28). Ps 23:4.
- Scripture
- Heb 2:14-15, John 10:28, Ps 23:4, Rev 21:4
- Imagery & language
- Satan's bands loosed; death's dark vale.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — victory and comfort in death.
- Connection to previous
- Death.
May he soon find entrance to every nation where he is unknown, with life, light and full salvation, so that heathendom may be overthrown and healing may come to hearts in pagan lands and Christian homes!
'A light for the nations' (Isa 49:6). The prayer includes 'Christian home' — the baptized also need Christ's continual coming.
- Scripture
- Isa 49:6, Matt 28:19, Rom 10:14-15
- Imagery & language
- Every nation; heathen land and Christian home.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mission.
- Connection to previous
- Every nation.
Themes
Sin and repentance Redemption through Christ Grace and forgiveness Resurrection hope Christian assurance