1 If your beloved Son, O God,
had not to earth descended
and in our mortal flesh and blood
had not sin's power ended,
then this poor, wretched soul of mine
in hell eternally would pine
because of my transgression.
2 But now I find sweet peace and rest;
despair no more reigns o'er me.
No more am I by sin oppressed,
for Christ has borne sin for me.
Upon the cross for me he died
that, reconciled, I might abide
with you, my God, forever.
3 I trust in him with all my heart;
now all my sorrow ceases.
His words abiding peace impart;
his blood from guilt releases.
Free grace thro' him I now obtain;
he washes me from ev'ry stain,
and pure I stand before him.
4 All righteousness by works is vain;
the law brings condemnation.
True righteousness by faith I gain;
Christ's work is my salvation.
His death, that perfect sacrifice,
has paid the all-sufficient price;
in him my hope is anchored.
5 My guilt, O Father, you have laid
on Christ, your Son, my Savior.
Lord Jesus, you my debt have paid
and gained for me God's favor.
O Holy Spirit, fount of grace,
the good in me to you I trace;
in faith and hope preserve me.
Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #559
Johann Heermann's (b. Raudten, Silesia, Austria, 1585; d. Lissa, Posen [now Poland], 1647) own suffering and family tragedy led him to meditate on Christ's undeserved suffering. The only surviving child of a poor furrier and his wife, Heermann fulfilled his mother's vow at his birth that, if he lived, he would become a pastor. Initially a teacher, Heermann became a minister in the Lutheran Church in Koben in 1611 but had to stop preaching in 1634 due to a severe throat infection. He retired in 1638. Much of his ministry took place during the Thirty Years' War. At times he had to flee for his life and on several occasions lost all his possessions. Although Heermann wrote many of his hymns and poems during these devastating times, his persona… Go to person page >
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