Thou Art Worthy

Holy Savior, We Adore Thee is a hymn by Samuel Prideaux Tregelles, a respected 19th-century biblical scholar and hymn writer best known for his textual criticism of the New Testament and his deep evangelical convictions. This hymn is one of his devotional pieces that centers entirely on the worship of Christ. In it, believers are invited to bow before the Lord Jesus with reverence, acknowledging both His holiness and His saving work.

The text exalts Christ as the One worthy of adoration, echoing the heavenly chorus of Revelation 5:12–13: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Tregelles directs worshippers to join this eternal song, lifting up praise not only with lips but with hearts consecrated to Him. The hymn reflects a Christ-centered devotion where the cross and resurrection form the grounds of worship.

At its core, the hymn emphasizes the personal and collective response of adoration to the Savior. It ties to Philippians 2:9–11, which declares that God has highly exalted Christ, and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the act of singing, the congregation participates in that universal confession and anticipates the day when the whole creation will acknowledge His lordship.

The hymn also connects with Hebrews 13:15, which urges believers to continually offer the “sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Tregelles’ words call Christians to live lives of gratitude, surrender, and worship, recognizing that all adoration belongs to Christ alone.

Historically, this hymn was used among gatherings of believers who valued not only heartfelt worship but also doctrinal precision, as Tregelles himself was a man of both scholarly rigor and deep faith. The balance of theological depth and simple devotion makes Holy Savior, We Adore Thee a hymn that stirs both mind and heart. It reminds the worshipper that Christ is not only the object of study but the Lord to be adored, exalted, and followed with joy.