Johann Franck (1618–77)—the same lawyer-poet who gave us “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness”—published this text in eight stanzas in Johann Crüger’s 1648 hymnal under the heading “for the forgiveness of sins.” His original German title, Herr, ich habe missgehandelt, means simply “Lord, I have misbehaved”—a posture of almost childlike humility. Modern hymnals made one important theological correction to Catherine Winkworth’s 1863 translation: her phrase “forced at last to see my errors” was changed to “led by You to see my errors,” clarifying that true contrition is worked by Christ, not compelled against our will. The most striking detail lost in translation is in the third stanza, where Franck’s German addresses Christ directly with visceral imagery: “but Christ, Your sores, yes, even a single drop of Your blood, can heal my wounds”—a sacramental connection to the blood poured out on Calvary and given to us in the Supper.
Sung at Our Saviour
2026