Here is my translation of the hymn “Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied” (B. Waldis), a paraphrase of Psalm XCVIII Cantate Domino. I have taken the liberty of unrhyming the last line, as usual for English hymns of similar meters (this would otherwise have required three trochaic end rhymes). The tune is proper, here as found in Kirchengeseng / Geistliche Lieder (1580). Note the similarity of the opening line to that of “Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag.”
A NEW song sing unto the Lord,
Who doeth many_a wonder,
His right hand bears the vict’ry-sword,
He breaks all pow’rs asunder.
Salvation, grace, and righteousness
To all the world forthshowing,
That He through Christ might all release
To be from bondage going,—
From sin and death and sorrow.
From sin and death and sorrow.
2. His truth which He to Jacob swore
He hath remembered ever,
When by the Spirit Mary bore
In flesh our God and Savior,
That all the world from end to end
Might see the Lord’s salvation,
Where He His Word doth loud extend,
Gives us free confirmation.
Of boundless grace and mercy.
3. So let the earth her Lord acclaim,
And sing with jubilation,
With instruments extol His name
In sweetest exaltation:
In Christ our King eternally
The earth and heaven rejoices,
The wind and fire, and tossing sea
Repeat their joyful noises,
And them we join to praise Him.
4. For we believe and do not doubt,
That He shall come in splendor
On judgment day, with trumpet shout,
To judge the foul offender
Condemning those who did but strive
Against His Word and Spirit,
But to the faithful He will give
Salvation in Christ’s merit,
And they shall live forever.
Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.
GERMAN
1. Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied,denn er thut große Wunder.Sein rechte Hand behält den Sieg,stürzt alln Gewalt hinunder.Gnad, Heil und ewig Grechtigkeitläßt aller Welt verkünden,daß ers vom Tod und allem Leid,vom schweren Band der Sünden,durch Christum wollt entbinden.2. An seine Wahrheit hat gedacht,die er Jacob geschworen.Und uns den Heiland fürher bracht,daß er würd Mench geboren.Daß alle Welt zu End von Ortdes Herren Heil möcht sehen,da er verkünden läßt sein Wort,sein Gnade zu verjähen,wies reichlich ist geschehen.3. Drum jauchz dem Herren, alle Welt,mit Ruhm wollt fröhlich singen,Mit Drometen, Pfefifen zu Feldund laßt die Harpfen klingen.Für Christo unserm König herall Kreaturn sich freuen,Feur, Luft, Erd und das wilde Meer,mit Jauchzen sich verneuen,solch Lob soll uns nicht reuen.4. Denn wir glauben und zweifeln nicht,daß er am End wird kommen,herrlich und prächtig zum Gericht,zum Heil und Trost den Frommen:den Gottlosen, die ihm allzeithie thaten Widerstreben,wird er durch sein Gerechtigkeitnach ihren Werken geben;den Gläubign ewigs Leben.
1 comment:
Interesting that this also matches the melody for Luther's hymn: "Ein Neues Lied". That tune can be found in the ELH, Hymn 405. Also, the Protéstant Conference is actually named after Luther's hymn, and contains their own translation of it: "A New Song".
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