Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase, “Nun freuet euch und seid fröhlich” (Burkard Waldis, d. 1556), based on Psalm CXXII, Lætatus sum in his, with title “A psalm of thanksgiving that God gives a place where His Word can be heard and He be worshiped rightly.” The Aeolian melody by Waldis carries the meter 87.87.447.44.77, a variant of the Long Lutheran Meter (87.87.87.877) employed by Luther for, e.g., “Es wöll uns Gott genädig sein,” which is incidentally suggested by the handwritten marginal note in the copy at Wölffenbüttel. Here, of course, Waldis adds his stamp by inserting half-line rhymes in the middle section. Given the loose, Christocentric, Reformation-themed treatment of the text and the meter agreeing with earlier Lutheran hymns, it is probable that this was among the earlier paraphrases written by Waldis during his imprisonment by the Livonian Order. I give the melody transposed down five semitones.
Dear Christians, gladly singing!
The Word of God runs mightily
In pureness clearly ringing.
We hail with cheer / its message dear
And stand on faith’s firm grounding.
We seek with haste / the doors of grace
To hear the voice sweet-sounding
Of God’s own declaration.
2 Jerusalem, God’s city fair,
Shall now be new-erected,
Which human doctrines down did tear,
When men their works selected.
Let us go hear / truth pure and clear,
Which God to all declareth:
That Christ His blood / sheds for our good
Our life in heav’n prepareth,
And bears all our transgression.
3 Thereto they come from many lands
To hear God’s will and pleasure,
And what His Holy Word commands,
Beyond man’s pow’r to measure.
Yes, Christ alone / the Law hath done,
Who from on high descended
To us to prove / the Father’s love,
In Him to us commended,
Who grace and heav’n are given.
4 When He our full salvation wrought,
From human statutes freed us,
By pow’r divine us heav’nward brought,
And did His Word bequeath us,
And brought to birth / a church on earth,
To judge profane and holy.
Her He hath giv’n / the keys of heav’n,
What she on earth decideth,
So is it to in heaven.
5 We all did err and go astray,
By doctrine false astounded,
What Antichristian popes did say
Held us in snares, confounded.
Saints’ help we sought, / indulgence bought,
To lighten purgatory,
We had enough / of all such stuff—
Lies of the devil hoary!
We’re freed by Christ our Savior.
6 We wish upon Jerusalem
Peace, vict’ry, and salvation;
For grace and comfort come from Him
Who fights for His creation;
That all may learn / and to Him turn,
A mighty host be raisèd,
A countless flock / for God our Rock,
By which His name is praisèd;
May He bestow His favor!
¶ For this let us the Lord beseech,
And ever praise Him solely,
That by His Spirit He doth teach
To us His Word so holy,
The truth reveals / and heaven seals
And makes us true believers;
And shall indeed / in all succeed,
Till we are made receivers
Of life with Him forever.
Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.
GERMAN
Nun frewet euch und seit frölich,
Ir lieben Christen alle,
Das wort Gottes gar krefftiglich
Dringt rein mit grossem schalle,
Mit freuden han / wirs gnommen an,
Und stehn auff glaubens füssen,
tretten herfür / zur gnadenthür,
Zu hörn die stimm so süsse,
Was uns Gott selb wirt sagen.
2 Jerusalem die Gottes Statt,
Wirt jetz auffs new gebawet,
Welch menschen lehr zerrissen hat,
Da mann auff werck vertrawet,
Da gehn wir nein / zu hören rein,
Beyd jungen und die alten.
Daß Christus hat / durch seinen todt,
Beim leben uns erhalten,
Und unser schuld getragen.
3 Da kommens hin auß manchem ort,
Zu hören Gottes willen,
Und was gebeut sein heyligs wort,
Welchs niemandt kundt erfüllen.
Alleyn der Christ, / welcher da ist
Vom himel abherkommen..
Der predigt uns / des Vatters gunst,
Daß wir sind angenommen,
Für Erben uns wil schreiben.
4 Als Er hat unser heyl geschafft,
Gefreit von menschen gsetze,
Ghen himel für durch Göttlich krafft,
Sein wort ließ uns zur letze,
Und stifft hie eyn / Christlich gemeyn,
Die gut für böß kan richten.
Die Schlüssel Er / hat geben der
Was sie auff Erd thut schlichten,
Das sol vor Gott so bleiben.
5 Wir habn geirret allzu sehr,
Vom rechten weg abgangen,
Die Antichristisch Babstes lehr,
Hielt uns im strick gefangen.
Der heylgen fewr / ablaß und stewr
Solt uns im fegfewr frummen.
Und andern tandt / han wir erkant,
Daß er vom Teuffel kummen,
Davon wir jetz gefreiet.
6 Drumb wündschen wir Jerusalem
Glück, heyl und ewig siegen,
Dann gnad und trost kompt uns von dem,
Der jetz vor uns thut kriegen,
Auff das auch die / jetz noch nicht hie,
Zu im werden bekeret.
Daß Gottes herd / vermehret werd,
Dadurch sein nam geehret,
Der uns solch gnad verleihet.
¶ Dafür wir sollen ewiglich
In loben, preisen, ehren:
Daß Er sein Wort uns krefftiglich
Durch seinen geyst thut leren.
Und durch den hort / uns offenbart,
Den Er vom himel geben,
Daß Er all sach / am end hernach
Uns zum ewigen leben,
Durch seine güt gedeiet.
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