This hymn speaks of the central Reformation doctrine of justification through faith alone. It is given a bright D major setting, with the pedal active throughout, marked by positive rising scales. It has been pointed out that the similarity in conception to the previous setting—with each line of music individually characterised (chorale/running semiquaver inner parts/a ‘leaping’ bass)—intentionally points to the theological connection between them (Williams 2003 p.306).

from notes by George Parsons © 2019