Your Heart, O God, is Grieved
Your heart, O God, is grieved
This hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ's vicarious suffering and the believer's participation in His passion through repentance and faith. It demonstrates the pastoral concern of Lutheran theology to move hearts toward genuine contrition and trust in Christ's atoning work.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Dein Herz, o Gott, wird traurig' was published in 1602 and became a significant Passion hymn in Lutheran worship. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her collection of German hymns.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 679
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 96
- Lutheran Service Book — 945
- Lutheran Worship — 280
- Voices Together — 373
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Martin Behm in 1602, this hymn exemplifies Lutheran pastoral theology, moving the believer from conviction of sin to trust in Christ's vicarious suffering and the comfort of forgiveness through faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran movement from Law to Gospel: God's heart is grieved by sin, yet that very grief finds its resolution in Christ's atoning passion, making it a musical companion to proclamation of both judgment and grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christological meditation moving from Christ's suffering, to personal appropriation of redemption, to grateful response, to covenantal commitment
Themes
Christ's suffering Repentance Sin and forgiveness Atonement