Von Juda wird das Scepter fein

Here is my translation of the canticle paraphrase, “Von Juda wird das Scepter fein” (C. Spangenberg, 1582), the seventh OT canticle, taken from Jacob’s prophecy of the Messiah in Gen. 49, where Spangenberg notably omits all other parts of the blessing and prophecy to focus on the Messianic core. His subtitle reads: “It is a prophecy of the Lord Christ and His kingdom in all the world, and His beauty and majesty.” The appointed melody is “Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein.”

 

IN Judah shall the scepter stay,
Nor shall there be removèd
From ’twixt his feet a master’s sway,
Until the time approvèd,
When comes the woman’s mighty Seed,
To comfort all the world in need,
Christ Jesus, our Redeemer!

2 To Him men’s steps shall be inclined,
And peoples gathered willing;
He to the vine His foal shall bind,
The prophecy fulfilling—
The ass’s colt His hand divine
Shall also to the noble vine
Bind fast and tie securely.

4 His garments He shall wash in wine,
So that they glisten wholly,
In blood of grapes His clothes make shine,
The winepress treading solely;
His eyes shall be far redder then
Than choicest wine produced by men,
His teeth like milk white-gleaming.

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Von Juda wird das Szepter fein
gar nit entwendet werden,
noch ein Meister von Füssen sein
bis daß da komm auf Erden
des Weibes Saam der freudig Held
zu Trost und Heil der ganzen Welt,
unser Herr Christus Jesus.

2 Zu ihm sich alle Völker sein,
werden ganz willig finden,
so wird er auch das Füllen sein
alsdann an Weinstock binden,
darzu seiner Eselin Sohn
wird er an edlen Reben schon
gar säuberlich anknüpfen.

4 Auch wird er wäschen denn in Wein
sein Kleider also reine,
in Weinbeerblut den Mantel sein,
die Kelter tritt alleine,
sein Augen viel rötlicher sein
denn ein köstlicher rother Wein,
sein Zähn wie Milch weiß scheinen.