Five centuries ago, Martin Luther taught the five “Solas” of the Protestant Reformation: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, glory to God alone. These core theological principles continue to inform Christians’ beliefs on the doctrines of justification and salvation.
Did you know that we also sing about these doctrines? Here are the lyrics of five hymns that connect to the “Solas” and inform believers’ understanding of these important Reformational teachings.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
In affirming Sola Scriptura, Luther declares that the Bible is believers’ only infallible source of authority. In his 1521 work “Defense and Explanation of the Articles,” Luther writes, “Scripture alone is the true lord and master of all writings and doctrine on earth.” God’s Word, Luther affirms, is the final authority by which Christians must judge all other creeds, and all writings should be interpreted in light of Scripture.
The hymn “How Firm a Foundation” similarly declares that Scripture is the bedrock of the Christian's faith. The song’s lyrics begin, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord/Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!” The song emphasizes that all of the inspired doctrine Christians need is found in the inerrant word of God (2 Tim 3:16, NIV throughout).
This hymn, which establishes Scripture’s sufficiency for the saints, is filled with biblical references to assure believers that God’s word provides them with trustworthy promises and reassurances. In singing this song, congregations join Luther in testifying that Scripture alone is believers’ one firm foundation.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
In his 1520 piece “The Freedom of the Christian,” Luther writes, “It ought to be the primary goal of every Christian to put aside confidence in works and grow stronger in the belief that we are saved by faith alone.” He emphasizes that believers come to God through faith in Christ alone, which precedes their good works (Eph. 2:8–10).
“Let us Plead for Faith Alone” proclaims the same truth through song. The first verse exhorts Christians, “Let us plead for faith alone/Faith which by our works is shown.” The piece continues, “God it is who justifies/Only faith the grace applies.” Like Luther, this hymn acknowledges that God alone justifies believers through faith, and Christians’ good works come as a result of that saving faith.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
In the Smalcald Articles of Christian Doctrine, which he compiled in 1537, Luther asserts, “All have sinned and are justified freely, without their own works and merits, by his grace.” Here, Luther teaches that one must come to Christ empty-handed, not attempting to earn salvation through their good works, but relying only on the sufficiency of Christ and his grace (Rom. 3:22–26).
The contemporary worship song “Grace Alone” highlights the same truth. Each Christian who sings this song admits, “I had no righteousness of my own/I had no right to draw near your throne.” The lyrics teach that it is only because of the grace of God and the blood of Christ that believers can now have redemption and salvation.
Like Luther, believers affirm, “I worked my fingers down to the bone/But nothing I did could ever atone/But Jesus, you paid my debt.” Singing this modern hymn reinforces the truths Luther explains so well. None of our works are sufficient for salvation, and we are saved by grace alone.
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
In his 1520 work “The Freedom of a Christian,” Luther writes, “Believing in him, you become a new person—one whose sins are forgiven and one who is justified by the merits of another, namely Christ alone.” Here, Luther emphasizes that every person who believes in Christ becomes a new creation, not because of their own efforts, but only because of Christ’s justification.
The hymn “In Christ Alone” calls Christians to reflect on the truth that it is only the Son of God who offers salvation and an eternal, living hope. The song begins, “In Christ alone, my hope is found/He is my light, my strength, my song.” In singing this piece, believers acknowledge that they place no hope in themselves or their own works, but only in Christ (Rom. 5:9).
A later verse says, “What heights of love, what depths of peace/When fears are stilled, when strivings cease.” Believers experience this love and peace when they do not strive to attain salvation by works. In abandoning any futile efforts to earn salvation, Christians confidently rest in the assurance that they are justified by Christ’s merits alone.
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)
In his 1535 commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, Luther asserts, “The Gospel is true because it deprives men of all glory, wisdom, and righteousness and turns over all honor to the Creator alone.” Luther strenuously opposes the idea that people or any created beings should receive glory and emphasizes that the Gospel honors God alone (1 Tim 1:17).
The hymn “To God be the Glory” shares this same truth through song. The lyrics extol God alone, calling people to boldly approach the Lord “and give him the glory; great things he hath done.” The verses announce that Jesus won our redemption through his death and invite believers to respond with praise.
Just as Luther teaches that Scripture only exalts the Creator and does not ascribe any righteousness to human efforts, “To God be the Glory” directs worshippers to meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice and honor him alone.
Singing the ‘Solas’
In “The Freedom of a Christian,” Luther declares, “It ought to be the primary goal of every Christian to put aside confidence in works and grow stronger in the belief that we are saved by faith alone.”
Luther encourages Christians to put their trust in Christ alone, not their own deeds. Today, believers can continue to build their faith in Christ through singing hymns, like those described above, thus deepening their understanding of the “Solas” of the Reformation.
In worshipping together with these songs, Christians obey Paul’s instruction to believers: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Col. 3:16).
Footnotes
Martin Luther, Defense and Explanation of All the Articles of Dr. Martin Luther Which Were Unjustly Condemned by the Roman Bull (Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter, March 1521), in Luther’s Works, vol. 32, ed. Jaroslav Pelikan et al., 299–457.
Martin Luther, On the Freedom of a Christian, Wittenberg, November 1520 (Basel: Adam Petri, early 1521), trans. Tryntje Helfferich, in On the Freedom of a Christian: With Related Texts (Hackett Classics, 2013).
Martin Luther, The Smalcald Articles of Christian Doctrine (1537), trans. F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau, in Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).
Luther, On the Freedom of a Christian.
Martin Luther, Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (1535), translated by Theodore Graebner, in Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, ed. Robert E. Smith and Laura J. Hoelter (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1949).
Luther, On the Freedom of a Christian.
