Ye Sons of Men Oh Hearken
Ye sons of men, oh hearken
Ye Sons of Men Oh Hearken is a hymn text by Erasmus Alberus (1540) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English adaptation. Found in lsb 354, lw 25, tlh 75.
This hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on repentance and the transformative work of the Gospel, drawing on the Advent theme of preparation through John the Baptist's preaching. It reflects the Reformation's call to genuine amendment of life as the proper response to God's grace.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Erasmus Alberus during the Reformation period around 1540. The hymn was adapted into English through various translations, appearing in Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal and Lutheran Service Book.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Service Book — 354
- Lutheran Worship — 25
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 75
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Erasmus Alberus in 1540, this Lutheran hymn channels John the Baptist's wilderness preaching and calls believers to genuine repentance as preparation for Christ. A Reformation classic on grace-empowered transformation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Reformation's insistence that true repentance—amendment of life—flows not from fear of judgment alone, but from the liberating grace of the Gospel, making it a powerful echo of Law and Gospel preaching.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Overview
An Advent hymn by a Königsberg professor on John the Baptist's call (Luke 3:4-5). Hearts are to be prepared for the Savior given by grace alone (st. 1); obstacles removed, valleys raised and pride leveled (st. 2); God exalts the humble and abases the proud (st. 3); and the closing prayer asks Christ himself to prepare the heart (st. 4). That final turn is the Lutheran key: the call to prepare ends in 'Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus.'
Central theme: Preparing the way for Christ, ending in prayer that Christ himself prepare the heart
Structure
Call to hear and prepare (1); remove obstacles (2); humility (3); prayer (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law (prepare, cast out offense, humble the proud) leading to Gospel (grace alone; Christ prepares the heart).
Confessional Connections
Repentance as preparation (AC XII), yet the heart is prepared by God (FC II). 'Of grace alone… given' — sola gratia.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Second and Third Sundays in Advent (John the Baptist).
Historical Notes
Thilo (1607-1662), professor of rhetoric at Königsberg. Russell (1806-1874), an Anglican priest and translator.
About the Tune
AUS MEINES HERZENS GRUNDE (1598) — listed in the index; TLH tune field is blank on CCEL.
Scripture References
Luke 3:4-6 Isa 40:3-5 1 Pet 5:5-6 Luke 1:51-52 Ps 51:10, 17 John 1:9 Rev 3:20
Stanza by Stanza
Listen, people: prepare heart and mind to welcome the almighty Savior; sinners, make this your care; he who was given by grace alone as our life and light, the promised Lord from heaven, is now revealed to our world.
The Baptist's call to prepare (Luke 3:4). 'O sinners, be your care' — the call is to sinners (Mark 2:17). 'Of grace alone… given' — the Savior is a gift, not a reward for preparation (John 3:16; Eph 2:8). 'Life and Light' (John 1:4). 'The promised Lord from heaven' (Gen 3:15; Mal 3:1).
- Scripture
- Luke 3:4, Mark 2:17, John 3:16, Eph 2:8, John 1:4, Mal 3:1
- Imagery & language
- Hearkening; preparing; life and light.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (prepare) and Gospel (grace alone).
- Connection to previous
- Call to hear.
Prepare the way before him, prepare the best for him, throw out whatever offends this great heavenly Guest; make the way straight and smooth, raise the low valleys and bring down the heights of pride, and make his path level.
Isa 40:3-4; Luke 3:4-5. The valleys and mountains interpreted spiritually: 'the lowly valleys raising' (despair lifted) and 'heights of pride abasing' (pride humbled). 'Cast out whate'er offendeth' — repentance from sin (Luke 3:8-14).
- Scripture
- Isa 40:3-4, Luke 3:4-5, Luke 3:8-14, Matt 3:8
- Imagery & language
- Way; valleys raised; heights abased.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — repentance.
- Connection to previous
- Removing obstacles.
God lifts up the humble, lowly heart, while the proud soul lies under his feet in anguish; the sincere and upright heart that heeds God's invitation and truly prepares is the Lord's delight.
1 Pet 5:5-6; Luke 1:51-52 (the Magnificat). 'The heart, sincere and right' (Ps 51:10, 17). 'Heeds God's invitation' — faith answering the call. 'The Lord's delight' (Ps 147:11). The humble heart is the one God has humbled by the Law and lifted by the Gospel.
- Scripture
- 1 Pet 5:5-6, Luke 1:51-52, Ps 51:10, 17, Ps 147:11, Isa 57:15
- Imagery & language
- Humble lifted; haughty abased.
- Law / Gospel
- Law (pride) and Gospel (humble lifted).
- Connection to previous
- Humility.
Lord Jesus, prepare my heart and do not turn away from me; grant that I receive you this Advent season; come from the stable and manger to live in me, and I will sing your praise and show your glory.
The decisive turn: after three stanzas calling us to prepare, the hymn prays 'Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus.' We cannot prepare ourselves; Christ must (Ps 51:10; Phil 2:13; FC II). 'From stall and manger low / Come Thou to dwell within me' — the Christ of Bethlehem comes into the heart by faith (Eph 3:17). Praise and witness follow.
- Scripture
- Ps 51:10, Phil 2:13, Eph 3:17, Luke 2:7, Ps 51:15
- Imagery & language
- Prepared heart; stall and manger; dwelling.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ prepares the heart.
- Connection to previous
- Prayer.
Themes
repentance and amendment grace and forgiveness preparation for Christ transformation of life