The Hymn of the Day for the Second Sunday after Pentecost is “God Loved the World So that He Gave" (LSB 571).
Stanza one is an almost literal versification of John 3:16, that God "gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should ... have eternal life." Stanza two says that Jesus, who was made flesh and suffered death on our behalf, is the only ground of our faith, and that all who believe in Him have built on this chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Stanza three reflects the trinitarian character of our faith: that God the Father gives us His Son, Jesus Christ, who is near with His saving grace, and that Holy Spirit declares through the Word how we are heirs of heaven through Christ Jesus.
The fourth stanza offers encouragement to be of good cheer because God's Son forgives us all our sins. Thus justified by Jesus' blood, we, in our Baptism, are given the highest good: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Stanza five is a reminder that Jesus is the "firmest ground of faith," especially in sickness and at the hour of death. The hymn concludes with a resounding trinitarian doxology to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
571 God Loved the World So That He Gave
1 God loved the world so that He gave
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believe
Should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.
3 God would not have the sinner die;
His Son with saving grace is nigh;
His Spirit in the Word declares
How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives all sins which you have done;
And, justified by Jesus’ blood,
Your Baptism grants the highest good.
5 If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.
D 6 Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To You, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!
The fourth stanza offers encouragement to be of good cheer because God's Son forgives us all our sins. Thus justified by Jesus' blood, we, in our Baptism, are given the highest good: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Stanza five is a reminder that Jesus is the "firmest ground of faith," especially in sickness and at the hour of death. The hymn concludes with a resounding trinitarian doxology to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believe
Should everlasting life receive.
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.
His Son with saving grace is nigh;
His Spirit in the Word declares
How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives all sins which you have done;
And, justified by Jesus’ blood,
Your Baptism grants the highest good.
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To You, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!
Text: Public domain
(Credit: Lutheran Service Book - Companion to the Hymns)
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