24 November 2017

Vor Gericht Herr Christe steh ich hie

Here is my translation of an additional 4th stanza for the hymn “Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" (M. Schalling, 1563), which adds the ideas of repentance and resolve for new obedience. The anonymous stanza, according to Wackernagel (III, 789) is found appended to the hymn in the Görlitz Gesangbuch of 1611, p. 957. It is sometimes (as in the Wisconsin German hymnal, Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #351) ascribed to Johann Dilherr (1604–1669), who would have been quite young at its first appearance.



BEFORE Thy court, Lord, I appear,
And kneel to Thee in heart sincere,
And own no other savior;
My sins and my trespasses sore
To death condemn me evermore
And yet I will not waver.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy blood alone
Doth wash my sins and all atone;
In true repentance and complete
I, trusting, fall down at Thy feet.
Lord Jesus Christ! my thanks to Thee (my thanks to Thee!)
I would do better; help Thou me!

Translation © 2017 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Vor Gricht, Herr Christe, steh ich hie,
zu dir beug ich mein Hertzen Knie,
vermag mir selbst nicht zu rathen.
Mein Sünd und grosse Missethat
mich ewig zum Todt verdammet hat,
ich wil drumb nicht verzagen:
Herr Jesu Christ, dein Blut allein
macht mich von allen Sünden rein,
in rechter wahrer Rew und Buss
gläub ich an dich, fall dir zu fuß.
Herr Jesu Christ, des danck ich dir,
ich will mich bessern, Herr, hilff mir!