With Trembling Awe the Chosen Three
With trembling awe the chosen three
The hymn emphasizes the awe-filled nature of encountering Christ's divine glory, a theme resonant with Lutheran sacramental theology and the hiddenness of God's presence. It celebrates the testimony of the apostles to Christ's transcendent majesty while acknowledging human inadequacy to comprehend divine mystery.
History & Background
Alexander composed this hymn in the mid-19th century as a meditation on the Transfiguration narrative. It was published in American Presbyterian hymnals and later adopted by Lutheran congregations.
Bulletin Note
Written in 1850 by Princeton theologian James Waddell Alexander, this hymn captures the Transfiguration's dual movement: terrifying majesty and merciful self-disclosure. A meditation on the Word made visible.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens proclamation of Christ's hiddenness and revelation by anchoring the paradox of divine majesty and redemptive grace in the apostolic witness, transforming fear into faithful assurance.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- The Definition & Command of Communion Small Catechism — Holy Communion
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human inability to praise adequately (stanzas 1-2) → Christ's redemptive power transforming sinners (stanzas 3-5) → Trinitarian doxology (stanza 6)
Themes
Transfiguration of Christ Fear and reverence Christological mystery Witness to glory Divine majesty