This is a good hymn to learn and sing as Sunday School children and catechism students begin their school year. Throughout the hymn, we are directed to God’s Word as our comfort, support, and guide; yet we are simultaneously directed to Christ our Savior. In this hymn, Christ and His Word are never separated. This is a heritage of the Lutheran emphasis that Christ is given by means of His Word. To lose the Word is to lose Jesus, and to have and to hear the Word is to have Jesus and hear His very voice.
The melody is happy. It sings with a childlike spirit of joy and optimism. Embedded within this cheerful melody are words about life under the cross: “I trust in Thee;/Deliver me/From misery;/Thy Word’s my consolation,” and: “When sorrows rise,/My refuge lies/In Thy compassion tender,” and: “… This will I plead/In time of need./O help with speed,/When troubles overtake me!”