HYMNOGLYPT

Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut

2012-01-26T06:39:00.000-06:00

Here is my translation of the Candlemas/Purification hymn, “Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut” as found in the Strassburg Hymnal (766 Psalmen…, etc.). It is sung to the tune “Christum wir sollen loben schon.”

O JESUS, who, to set us free,

Wast born in utter poverty,

Laid in a manger for a cot,

And of Thy riches given naught:

2. In forty days Thou didst not scorn

Into the temple to be borne,

Where godly Simeon did hail

And hold Thee to his bosom frail.

3. What he awaited glad and fain

By Thee that day he did obtain,

And with his heart his God adored,

That he should live to see his Lord.

4. Then Anna, widow great of age

By many known a seeress sage,

Who of God’s Word was not ashamed,

Approached, and wondrous things proclaimed.

5. O Christ, assist Thy flock on earth

To be Thy children by new birth,

To turn to Thee with heart sincere,

Thy Spirit's teachings to revere.

6. Thy Word let be our constant guide,

That in Thy temple we abide,

Wherein we please Thee, where we praise

And give Thee thanks for all our days.

7. What in Thy Church we ask of Thee,

By Thee is granted faithfully;

O blest are they who meet Thee there

And never from her courtyards err.

8. All-holy Christ, be this our plea,

Who wast made Man, that men might be

Thy children in Thy holy name,

And ever Thee as Lord acclaim.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

Ach Jesu der du uns zugut

geborn bist in grosser Armut,

in einer Krippen gelegen,

hast wenig dein lassen pflegen.

2. Und hast dich nach vierzig Tagen

lassen in den Tempel tragen,

da Simeon der fromme Mann

dich auf sein alte Arme nam.

3. Was er vor langest hätt begehrt,

deß wird er jetzt von dir gewährt.

Drum preist er Gott aus Herzengrund,

daß er erlebt hätt solche Stund.

4. Ein Wittwe alt, Anna genannt,

ein Prophetin vielen bekannt,

die Gottes Wort fleissig anhing,

trat auch hinzu, redt grosse Ding.

5. Hilf, Christe, deim Volk auf Erden,

daß wir geistlich Kinder werden,

und uns zu dir herzlich bekehrn,

und deinen Geist uns lassen lehrn.

6. Und daß dein Wort uns stets regier,

und immer zu deim Tempel führ,

in welchem man dir behaget

dich lobet und dir danksaget.

7. Recht alles was man da begehrt

wird uns treulich von dir gewährt;

O selig der, so in dein Haus

kommt und fällt nicht wieder heraus.

8. Das hilf uns, du viel heilger Christ,

denn du darum Mensch worden bist,

daß uns in deim heilgen Namen

geholfen werd ewig! Amen.

Was uns etwan die heilgen Propheten

2012-01-24T06:04:00.000-06:00

Here is my translation of a German version of “Quod chorus vatum,” called “Was uns etwan die heilgen Propheten” (A. Lobwasser, author of the infamous psalter). It is sung to the original melody, which I have seen as that of “Iste Confessor” [He Whom the Prophets], though Herzliebster Jesu would work. This page has more information on the original version as well as an English (unrhymed) translation of it.

WHAT PROPHETS in the Spirit once had spoken

Now we behold fulfilled, the oath unbroken,

By Virgin Mary comes the revelation

Of our salvation.

2. Conceiving Christ, the Son of God, our Savior,

Without a spot or breach of honor ever,

Pure she remained, as even from her mother,—

Such as no other.

3. They took the Child and to the temple brought Him,

To aged Simèon, who long had sought Him.

The priest received the Child with gladness willing,

God’s oath fulfilling.

4. And so with fervent hearts, we pray Thee, Savior,

True Son of God, to show Thy grace and favor;

Let us, e’en as Thou art to heav’n ascended,

E’er be defended.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2012.

GERMAN

1. Was uns etwan die heiligen Propheten

durch den Heiligen Geist weißsagen täten,

Daß solches durch Mariam sei geschehen,

Wir nun verstehen.

2. Denn sie empfangen hat Christum den Herren,

Gottes Sohn ohn Abbruch ihrer Ehren,

ein Jungfrau blieb sie wei da war zu voren

der Welt geboren.

3. Da man mit diesem Kind in Tempel kame,

Fröhlich es Simeon in die Arm nahme,

Das wie er hätt gewünscht das Kind zu sehen

nun wär geschehen.

4. Drum bitten wir dich Gottes Sohne brünstig,

daß du uns wöllest gnädig sein und günstig,

und uns, weil du gen Himmel bist gefahren,

treulich bewahren.

Das alte Jahr vergangen ist* Original Tune

2011-12-29T00:02:00.001-06:00

In case anyone is interested in using the original tune for "The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away" for the office of New Year's Eve or New Year's Day (not to be confused with the Feast of the Circumcision), here it is in a setting by Layriz, along with the text as translated by Winkworth, which is in the public domain.

THE OLD year now hath passed away;

We thank Thee, O our God, today

ThatThou hast kept us through the year

When danger and distress werenear.

2. We pray Thee, O eternal Son,

Who with theFather reign’st as One,

To guard and rule Thy Christendom

Throughall the ages yet to come.

3. Take not Thy saving Word away,

Our souls’true comfort, staff, and stay.

Abide with us and keep us free

Fromerrors, following only Thee.

4. Oh, help us to forsake all sin,

A new andholier course begin!

Mark not what once was done amiss;

A happier,better year be this,

5. Wherein as Christians we may live

Or die inpeace that

Thou canst give,

To rise again when Thou shalt come

Andenter Thine eternal home.

6. There shall we thank Thee and adore

With allthe angels evermore.

Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith

To praiseThy Name through life and death.

—J. Steuerlein, 1588; tr. C. Winkworth,1863.

Warum sollen dich so schmerzen* (Alt.)

2011-12-19T04:05:00.001-06:00

Here is my suggested emendation and modernization of J. Kelly’s translation of Paul Gerhardt’s hymn on the Circumcsion suitable for use on the Feast of the Circumcision on January 1. I Include below his original version, as well as Miss Cox' two-stanza version, which I believe is on the whole poorer than Kelly's.

WHY SHOULD they such torment give You?
Why so pain You, dearest Christ?
Why by such a rite so grieve You,
With their hearts uncircumcised?
Jesus! Oh, but You are free
From the Law’s severity,
For, although man's nature wearing,
You are free of sin and erring,

2. For Yourself You do not bear it,
Of the Cov’nant You are Head;
’Tis our debts that make You share it,
That, like grievous loads of lead,
Lie upon us, and Your heart
Pierce unto the inmost part;
These You suffer to deliver
Those who could have paid them never.

3. Let your hearts be glad, O debtors!
Let the world rejoice today!
For God’s Son now breaks our fetters,
Here our price begins to pay.
Now the Law has been fulfilled
Now God’s anger has been stilled.
Now are we, to death once given
Made by Christ the heirs of heaven.

4. Who can tell the grace and favor,
Or of thanks repay Your due!
Heart and mouth shall own You ever,
As our Savior honor You!
We shall praise with all our pow’r
All Your goodness, You adore,
While in weakness here we wander,
And Your praises echo yonder!

J. Kelly, 1867, alt. Matthew Carver, 2011.

J. KELLY, 1867:

1. Why should they such pain e’er give Thee,
 Why inflict such cruel smart?
 Jesus, why should they so grieve Thee, 
Who’re uncircumcis’d in heart, 
By this rite? Though Thou art free
 From the law’s yoke utterly,
 Yet man’s nature art Thou wearing,
 But no sin its beauty marring.

2. For Thyself Thou dost not bear it, 
Of the Cov’nant Thou art Head; 
’Tis our debts that make Thee share it,
 That like grievous load of lead
 Lie upon us, and Thy heart 
Pierce e’en to the inmost part;
 These Thou bearest to deliver
 Us, who could have paid them never.

3. Let your hearts be glad, ye debtors!
 Let the world rejoice to-day,
 For the Son of God our fetters
 Breaks, the price begins to pay.
 This day is the Law fulfill’d,
 This day is God’s anger still’d,
 Whom to death law did deliver, 
God’s Son makes God’s heirs for ever.

4. We this grace enough can never
 Own, nor for it grateful be; 
Heart and mouth, O Saviour! ever 
Shall exalt and honour Thee! 
We shall praise with all our pow’r 
All Thy goodness, Thee adore,
 While in weakness here we wander, 
And Thy praise re-echo yonder!
Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs, 1867

F. E. COX, 1841 (sts. 3-4 only):

3. Mortals, who have God offended, 
Sinners all, rejoice to-day! 
Gods own Son, from heaven descended, 
Now your ransom 'gins to pay: See the law this day fulfill'd, 
God's just wrath and vengeance still'd; 
He for sin who would have slain us,
 Now for sons and heirs hath ta'en us.

4. Well may we this grace and favour 
Evermore with blessings tell !
 Well may heart and mouth for ever 
Hail Thee our Immanuel ! 
Here in weakness while we stay, 
Lord, we praise Thee as we may;
 Earthly bonds our tongues here fetter, 
But in heaven we'll praise Thee better.

GERMAN

1. Warum machet solche Schmerzen,
Warum machet solche Pein,
Der von unbeschnittnem Herzen,
Dir, herzliebstes Jesulein,
Mit Beschneidung, da du doch
Frei von des Gesetzes Joch.
Weil du, einem Menschenkinde
Zwar gleich, doch ganz ohne Sünde?

2. Für dich darfst du dies nicht dulden,
Du bist ja des Bundes Herr,
Unsre, unsre große Schulden,
Die so grausam, die so schwer
Auf uns liegen, daß es dich
Jammert herz- und inniglich,
Die trägst du ab, uns zu retten,
Die sonst nichts zu zahlen hätten.

3. Freut, ihr Schuldner, euch deswegen,
Ja, sei fröhlich alle Welt,
Weil heut anhebt zu erlegen
Gottes Sohn das Lösegeld;
Das Gesetz wird heut erfüllt,
Heut wird Gottes Zorn gestillt.
Heut macht uns, so sollten sterben,
Gottes Blut zu Gottes Erben.

4. Wer mag recht die Gnad erkennen?
Wer kann dafür dankbar sein?
Herz und Mund soll stets dich nennen
Unsern Heiland, Jesulein!
[30] Deine Güte wollen wir
Nach Vermögen preisen hier,
Weil wir in der Schwachheit wallen;
Dort soll baß dein Lob erschallen.

Sankt Stephanus voll Glaubens war

2011-12-15T10:06:00.002-06:00

Here is my translation of Nicolaus Selnecker’s hymn for the feast of St. Stephen (Dec. 26), originally published in Christliche Psalmen, Lieder und Kirchgensenge (Leipzig, 1587). The melody, according to Kümmerle, seems to be a simplification of a tune first appearing in Lauterbach’s Cithara, Christiana, Psalmodiarum sacrarum libri VII, latine et germanice (Leipzig, 1585).

SAINT STEPHEN, full of faith and might,
Great wonders wrought in open sight,
Christ Jesus freely praised as Lord,
False teachers shamed with one accord.

2. Wherefore He soon was called to cease,
To preach Christ’s news of heavn’ly peace,
Was taken from the city bound,
By wicked men a martyr crowned.

3. He saith, My Lord to stand I see
Upon the right of Majesty.
Him will I with my death adore
And gladly go, content e’ermore.

4. His spirit then he humbly laid
Into the hands of Christ, and prayed,
Lord Jesus, oh, my spirit now
Receive, and with Thy grace endow.

5. Forbear my foes’ misdeeds to bind,
Who in their rage are rendered blind
Make known to them their misery,
And loose them from sin’s tyranny.

6. Lord Jesus, help us every hour,
That we may thus be given pow’r
With constancy Thee to confess,
And ever dwell in blessedness.

Translation © M. Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Sankt Stephanus voll Glaubens war,
tat kräftig Werk ganz offenbar,
preiset den Herren Christum frei
und straft die Heuchler ohne Scheu.

2. Darum er mußt bald halten her,
um Christi willen neue Mehr
hören, zur Stadt gestossen aus,
getötet durch Gottlosen Strauß.

3. “Ich seh Christum den Herren mein
zur Rechten Gottes stehn gar fein,”
sprach er, “den will ich loben do
mit meinem Tod willig und froh.”

4. Sein Geist er bald aufgeben tät
in Christi Hand, mit dem Gebet
“Herr Jesu, nimm auf meinen Geist
und mir dein Gnad und Güte leist.

5. Behalt mein Feinden nicht die Sünd,
sie sind jetzt wütig und staar blind,
Laß sie ihr Elend kennen noch
und kommen aus der Sünde joch.

6. Hilf, Herr Jesu, zu aller Zeit,
laß uns auch werden solche Leut
die dich bekennen bständiglich
und selig werden ewiglich.

O Vater der Barmherzigkeit (Kyrie for Christmastide)

2011-12-12T22:14:00.001-06:00

Here I repost, in advance of the proper date, my translation of the Christmas Kyrie trope, “O Vater der Barmherzigkeit,” from a German rendering of the beautiful Kyrie Magnae Deus Potentiae; here with words by Peter Herbert (Kirchengeseng 1566; see Kirch. 1580 p. 150). It should be sung on Sundays of Christmastide, and the office of the Sunday after Christmas also when it is observed on another day.

The 2-phrase version represents the form found in Layriz' Choralbuch, where it is appointed as an optional Kyrie for Christmas, though Kyrie V in the Kyriale is only assigned the rubric "II classis 2." The original has three stanzas to each Person (per the ninefold Kyrie use accepted in Lutheranism); Layriz' has two, with the 2nd stanza being entirely new, and the whole shorter, including the kyrie addresses, and all in all much more fitting for public worship. In the German below, the original 2nd and 3rd stanzas are labeled "b" and "c" resp., while the newer closing stanzas from Layriz are labeled "b-c."

2-PHRASE VERSION (Layriz):
O FATHER, God of mercies great,
Our hearts to Thee we elevate,
Praying Thee, Thy grace bestow
On rich and poor below.
:: O Father God of matchless might,
We beg Thee to attend our plight:
In Thy mercies inifinite,
Kyrieleison!

CHRIST the Savior of the earth
Thy children save by heav’nly birth,
That they in Thee / May flourish ceaselessly.
:: Hear us, Christ, our Helper sure,
Made man and born of Mary pure,
To be our Cure: / Christe eleison!

O HOLY GHOST, true God, we pray,
Regard Thy people’s needs today;
By Thy grace make bright and fair
The hearts of those who err.
:: O Holy Ghost, grant us the pow’r
To love Thee truly every hour,
And in Thy good virtue flow’r,
Kyrieleison!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

3-PHRASE VERSION (Boh. Brethren):
O FATHER, God of mercies great,
Our hearts to Thee we elevate,
Praying Thee, Thy grace bestow
On rich and poor below.
:: All those who seek Thee heartily,
Will find such grace and help from Thee,
That they ever may fulfill
Thy gracious, holy will.
:: Give them the truth for which they long,
And pardon for all sin and wrong,
In Thy holy house as one,
Until our life on earth is done.

CHRIST the Savior of the earth
Thy children save by heav’nly birth,
That they in Thee / May flourish ceaselessly.
:: As on earth Thy yoke they bear,
Oh, suffer not the devil’s snare
To cast them down / And steal the victor’s crown.
:: Through the shedding of Thy blood
Assist them here to know Thy good,
And worship Thee / For all eternity.

O HOLY GHOST, true God, we pray,
Regard Thy people’s needs today;
By Thy grace make bright and fair
All the hearts of those who err.
:: O come, Thou promised Comforter,
Thy heav’nly priesthood to confer,
That we may to Thee upraise
Fitting offerings of praise.
:: Oh, let us all by faith be giv’n
The blest inheritance of heav’n,
That we may Thy name adore
With our praises evermore.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1a. O Vater der Barmherzigkeit,
wir bitten dich mit Innigkeit
du wollest dich erbarmen
der Schwachen und Armen.
1b. Die sich herzlich zu dir kehren
Gnad und Hilf von dir begehren,
aufdaß sie deinen Willen
stets mögen erfüllen.
1c. Hilf, daß sie die Wahrheit finden,
zur Vergebung aller Sünden,
in heiliger Gemeinschaft-
en denn ihr Bilgerschaft.
[1b-c. O Vater, allmächtiger Gott!
zu dir schreien wir in der Not:
Durch dein groß Barmherzigkeit
erbarm dich über uns!]

2a. Christe, aller Welt Heiland,
hilf allen die dich han erkannt,
daß sie in dir / zunehmen für und für
2b. Laß sie nicht kraftlos werden,
unter deinem Joch auf Erden,
aus deim Gesetz / fallen ins Teufels Netz.
2c. Hilf durch dein Blut vergiessen,
daß sie dein hie wohl geniessen,
und benedeit / dich loben allezeit.
[2b-c. O Christ! wollst uns erhören,
für uns bist du Mensch geboren
von Maria, / erbarm dich über uns!]

3a. O Heiliger Geist, wahrer Gott,
sieh heut an der gläubigen Not
und erleucht durch deine Güt
der irrenden Gemüt.
3b. O komm du verheissner Tröster,
und mach uns geistliche Priester,
daß wir dich unsern Schöpfer,
preisen mit Dankopfer.
3c. O hilf, daß wir durchs Glaubens Kraft,
erlangen die himmlisch Erbschaft,
und deinen edlen Namen.
ewig loben Amen.
[3b-c. O Heilger Geist, wollst uns geben,
dich allzeit– herzlich lieben
und nach deim Willen streben,
erbarm dich über uns.]

O Freude über Freud

2011-12-06T06:54:00.006-06:00

Here is my translation of the Christmas hymn “O Freude über Freud” (Georg Reimann, 1598). The tune is proper, by Eccard (the most famous of three). Here are two others

O JOY of joys! that we
This happy day should see,
When in our flesh was given
Th’ eternal God of heaven
Through sinless incarnation,
For our true consolation;
The Virgin Mary, pure and bright
’Twas gave Him to the world this night.

2. Oh, what a noble Guest
Is welcomed here to rest!
O world, now humbly bending
To Him thy praise be lending,
Who shall, the Law fulfilling,
The wrath of God be stilling.
And righteousness to us restore
And heav’nly bliss forevermore!

3. Rejoice we now therefore
With songs this Child adore:
And from thy heart sincerely
Sing out with gladness clearly,
With heart and mouth we render
Due glory, praise, and splendor,
For on this day we celebrate
The time of grace from dawn till late.

4. O Christ, we sing to Thee,
Who man didst come to be,
The serpent’s head to smother,
And bring us to Thy Father,
His grace and love renewing,
Else death were our undoing:
O, grant us grace to worship Thee
Both now and in eternity.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. O Freude über Freud,  
Wir habn erlebt die Zeit,  
Da uns zu Trost und Frommen 
Der ewig Gott ist kommen  
Ins Fleisch ohn alle Sünden,  
Mit uns sich zu verbinden;  
Jungfrau Maria auserkorn,
Die hat ihn zu der Welt geborn.

2. Ach welch ein großen Gast  
Du überkommen hast.  
O ganze Welt, dich neige,  
Ihm göttlich Ehr erzeige,  
Der wird das Gsetz erfüllen,
Des Vaters Zorne stillen,  
Uns wiederbringn Gerechtigkeit,
Darzu die ewig Seligkeit.

3. Drumb laßt uns fröhlich sein,  
Und diesem Kindelein  
Singen und jubiliren,  
Mit Freuden musizieren,  
Ihm Lob und Ehr beweisen,  
Mit Mund und Herzen preisen.
Weil wir die gnadenreiche Zeit  
Begehn und celebrieren heut.

4. O süßer Jesu Christ,
Der du Mensch worden bist,  
Der Schlang den Kopf zertreten,
Beim Vater uns verbeten, 
Sein Huld und Gnad erworben,
Sonst wären wir verdorben,  
Gieb Gnad, daß wir auch loben dich
Darfür zeitlich und ewiglich.

O freu dich, Jerusalem

2011-12-04T23:39:00.003-06:00

Here is my translation of the Bohemian Brethren hymn, “O freu dich, Jerusalem” (J. Horn, 1544), on the Incarnation, suitable for Advent (esp. Ad Te Levavi) and Laetare, referencing both Isaiah 66 and Jeremiah 23. The tune is proper. Note that my scheme has been based on that of the German translation, which was done in couplets with a last unrhymed line, and the presumably trochaic endings of the original Bohemian lines slurred into monosyllables, so that the scheme is rigid AABBCCDDE. It seems at second glance, however, that the translation might be better served with interlocking rhymes and trochees where the melodic lines end in slurred monosyllables (A-Bn-A-Bn-Cn-Cn-A-Cn [or Dn]). I may venture that sometime in the future, since it would probably sound more natural.

O REJOICE, Jerusalem;
O Church, thy silence stem!
Praise thy God exultingly,
Who turned His wrath from thee,
And, in thy need, to prove
His unfailing love,
Sent His one begotten Son
From heaven’s lofty throne,
To this vale of tears.

2. This He did thy sin to take,
And thee from bondage break,
And, partaking of our flesh,
Salvation bring afresh,
Which never human might
Could itself set right:
Thus, lest thou be ever doomed,
Thy nature He assumed,
Stooping down so low.

3. In a servant’s humble frame
Into our world He came.
From the Father hither sent,
Thy King and Savior bent
His will most readily
To give up for thee
His own life to shameful death
That all distress and wrath
Might from thee be kept.

4. Jesus is the Seed divine,
The Branch of David’s line
Who Himself the human race
Restored by boundless grace
Of mighty majesty,
God of heav’n is He,
And the true Immanuel
Who did our souls from hell
Wondrously redeem.

5. Grace and comfort fill His name,
And are His rightful claim,
Called: The Lord our Righteousness,
Clothed in our human dress,
For us He rules and crowns
And adorns with gowns
Of His glory unalloyed
Which, heaven’s hosts, o’erjoyed,
Ever long to see.

6. Therefore Christ the Savior praise,
Sent down, our souls to raise,
And beseech Him for our sake
That here we may partake
Of His own righteousness
And the holiness
Of His conception ay:
To Christ thy Lord then pray,
Ne’er Thy Church forsake!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. O freu dich, Jerusalem,
du christliche Gemein,
lob Gott mit fröhlicher Stimm,
daß er von dir sein Grimm
aus Lieb gewendet hat
und um deiner Not
gesandt seinen lieben Sohn
von dem himmlischen Thron
auf den Jammerthal.

2. Aufdaß er dich deiner Sünd
benehm, davon entbünd,
und durch sein Theilhaftigkeit
bring zu der Seligkeit
welch sonst kein menschlich Macht
hat zu wegen bracht
darum nimmt er dir zugut
in so großer Demut
dein Natur an sich.

3. Sehr in niedriger Gestalt
ist er auf diese Welt
vom Vater herab gesandt,
dein König und Heiland,
der also williglich
sein Leben für dich
hie opfert bis in den Tod,
daß du aus aller Not
möchtest ledig sein.

4. Er ist der verheißne Sam,
der Zweig von Davids Stamm,
durch den das menschlich Geschlecht,
wird wiederbracht zurecht,
von sehr großer Gewalt
göttlicher Gestalt,
der rechte Immanuel,
welcher uns aus der Hell,
selbst erlöset hat.

5. Sein Nam ist voll Trosts und Gnad,
denn er hat von der That
Herr, unser Gerechtigkeit
heißt er in der Menschheit,
damit er uns regiert,
lieblich schmückt und ziert,
und schenkt uns solch Herrlichkeit
welch die Engel erfreut
und gelüst zu sehn.

6. Ei, lob Christum den Heiland,
vom Vater uns gesandt;
bitt ihn auf daß er uns auch
allhie theilhaftig mach
seiner Gerechtigkeit
wird und Heiligkeit
darinn er mpfangen ist
sprich, O Herr Jesu Christ,
verlaß dein Volk nicht.

Nun laßt uns zu dieser Frist

2011-12-03T14:53:00.002-06:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Nun laßt uns zu dieser Frist” (M. Weisse, 1544), a Bohemian Brethren hymn for the Incarnation, suitable for Annunciation, Advent, and Christmas. Michael Weisse translated this from the Bohemian, “Všichni věrní křesťané.” It was included in the Bohemian Brethren hymnal (1544 seqq.), Frankfurt-a.-M. (1569), Wittenberg (1573), and Dresden (1589). Note the tune, Gaudeamus pariter, was also employed for the Easter hymn “Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain,” and has long been used by the Moravians for John Horn’s text “Join We All with One Accord.”

LET US now this time accord
To chaste meditation
On Christ Jesus, our dear Lord,
And His incarnation,
Wherein God shows grace and love,
For us in our weakness,
And came down from heav’n above,
In a form of meekness.

2. In His grace our grief He saw,
And our desolation,
For we could not keep His law
Nor work our salvation:
By the fall of Adam bound,
Cursed was our condition;
God another Adam found
To bring sin’s remission.

3. What the prophets long ago
Told of Eve’s Descendant,
God hath made us here to know,
By His good attendant:
Gabriël, who like a flame,
Swift from heaven faring,
To the Virgin Mary came
Joyful tidings bearing.

4. Said the angel, “Have no fear,
O most favored Lady:
For the Lord with thee is near,
And His throne hath made thee:
In thy womb to bear His Son,
Christ, thy Lord and Savior,
Who upon King David’s throne,
Shall be King forever.”

5. Mary said, “How shall it be
As thy words have told me?
Pure is my virginity,
Never man hath known me.”
Gabriël said, “God’s own Pow’r
Shall a mother make thee,
Yet thy maidenhead endure,
And no wise forsake thee.

6. God’s true Son that fruit shall be
From thy womb forth-springing,
Our atoning Lamb is He,
True salvation bringing,
And behold, Elizabeth
These six months is bearing:
God hath heard her pray’r of faith,
His great wonders sharing.

7. Mary said, “Behold and see,
God’s handmaiden meekest,
Be it wholly unto me,
Even as thou speakest.”
God at once Man became,
In her body lowly,
Yet His Godhead bore no shame—
Fruit of man most holy.

8. Here the human nature mild,
Yielded to God’s pleasure.
And the Virgin was with child;
Breached, the laws of nature.
Overshadowed was she then
By God’s pow’r and action,
Yet a virgin did remain—
Wondrous, that transaction!

9. Now to us is clearly known
God’s great news of gladness,
How He made our flesh His own,
Crushed hell, death, and sadness,
Dwelt among us in our grief,
Suffered in our station,
To procure our soul’s relief,
Life, and true salvation.

10. Thank we rev’rently as one,
God our heav’nly Father,
Who in mercy sent His Son
Here to be our Brother:
Unto Thee be praise and laud,
Christ, our precious Savior,
Praise to Thee, eternal God
Be both now and ever.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Nu laßt uns zu dieser Frist
begehn einträchtiglich
die Menschwerdung Jesu Christ,
dadurch Gott gnädiglich
seine Lieb und Gütigkeit
reichlich erzeiget hat,
menschlicher Gebrechlichkeit
nach seim Göttlichen Rat.

2. Er sah das menschlich Geschlecht
verderbet jämmerlich,
das nach seim Göttlichen Recht
nicht kunnt erretten sich.
Denn Adams böse Begierd
macht all Menschen unrein
daß davon geholfen würd
mußt ein neu Adam sein.

3. Was vor längst verheissen war
dem menschlichen Geschlecht,
das ist worden offenbar,
da dieser Gottes Knecht
der Erzengel Gabriel
von dem himmlischen Thron,
gesandt kam zur Jungfrau schnell
mit neuer Botschaft schon.

4. Er sprach zu ihr, Biß gestrost,
du holdesliges Weib,
Gott der Herr hat an dir Lust,
du sollt in deinem Leib,
empfahn den Gottes Sohn,
in aller Reinigkeit,
derselb wird auf Davids Thron
herrschen in Ewigkeit.

5. DIe Jungfrau kunnt nicht verstehn
diesen Göttlichen Sinn:
Sie sprach, Wie soll das zugehn,
keins Manns ich schuldig bin.
Der Engel sprach, Gottes Kraft,
die wird dich umgeben,
also daß dein Jungfrauschaft
wird unversehrt bleiben.

6. Die Frucht, so aus dir entspringt,
wird heißen Gottes Sohn,
ein Lamm, welchs die Sünd wegnimmt,
das selig machen kann.
Nimm wahr, die Elisabeth
geht auch mit einem Kind;
Gott hat erhört ihr Gebet,
dem all Ding möglich sind.

7. Die Jungfrau sprach, Ey, nimm wahr,
ich bin des Herren Magd.
Mir gescheh nun ganz and gar
wie du mir hast gesagt.
Alsbald nahm Gott die Menschheit
an sich in aller Zucht,
ohn Versehrung der Gottheit
ward Mesnch ein reine Frucht.

8. Allda mußt menschlich Natur
weichen Göttlichem Will.
Denn die Jungfrau schwanger wur[d],
wider natürlich Ziel.
Dem Göttliche Macht und Kraft
umschättigt ihren Leib,
also daß ihr Junfrauschaft
rein unversehret bleib.

9. Es ist allen kundgethan,
dieses Göttlich Geschicht,
daß Gott Mensch ist worden schon
der Hell und Tod zerbricht.
In kummer und Dürftigkeit
ist er hie erschienen,
daß er uns die Seligkeit
wieder möcht verdienen.

10. Dank wir Gott mit Innigkeit
allesamt einträchtiglich,
daß er aus Barmherzigkeit
sine Sohn so gnädiglich
auf Erden gegeben hat
zu unser Seligkeit:
Lob sei dir, ewiger Gott,
nun und in Ewigkeit. Amen.

Helft mir Advent jetzt feiren

2011-11-26T16:12:00.002-06:00

Here is my translation of “Helft mir Advent jetzt feiren” (Michael Ziegenspeck), translated by Clauder as “Adventus appropinquat…” The German first appeared in the Königsberg Hymnal (1650). The tune is “Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen.”

NOW GLAD the Advent viewing,
Dear children, raise your voice
To hail the year’s renewing,
And let us all rejoice!
For Christ His Advent kept,
When He, the Prince of Glory,
To Salem turned His story,
O’er which He once had wept.

2. Yet did that Advent sadness
That filled our Savior dear,
Fill all the world with gladness
And bring salvation near.
Our Help and Righteousness,
Of whom the prophets chanted
His Passiontide was granted,
To win us heavn’ly bliss.

3. The Advent keep with singing,
No more let Zion groan,
As all, with Salem bringing
Their shouts, their Lord to own,
Hosanna loudly cry;
“Blest be King David’s Scion,
The Lord, who comes to Zion,
Hosanna sing on high!”

4. The King of Grace yet duly
His Advent keeps aright,
And, coming, makes most truly,
Our heart His palace bright.
Through Sacrament and Word:
Lord, let Thy help attend us,
Prosperity now send us,
Forever be our Lord!

5. Soon shall that Advent meet us
When in His glorious shape
The Lord again shall greet us,
And bring our glad escape.
O Bridegroom, dear art Thou!
So come, and no more tarry!
For lo, what griefs we carry,
How deep in sorrow bow!

6. But grant us to believe Thee,
And ever ready be
With shouts, Lord, to receive Thee
When we that Advent see.
Let heart and mouth then cry,
Blest be King David’s Scion,
The Lord, who comes to Zion,
Hosanna sing on high!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Helft mir Advent jetzt feiren,
Ihr lieben Kinderlein!
Das Jahr tut sich verneuren,
laßt uns all fröhlich sein!
Advent gehlaten hat
Jesus, der Fürst der Ehren,
als er sich jetzt tät kehren
nach Salem, Davids Stadt.

2. Zwar hielt Advent armselig
diesmals der teure Held,
macht uns doch alle fröhlich,
bracht Heil der ganzen Welt.
Unsr Hilf und Grechtigkeit
nach Sage der Propheten
kam in den großen Nöten,
erwarb uns himmlisch Freud.

3. Drum halt Advent mit Schalle
samt Jungfrau Zion fein,
mit Jeruslem jauchzt alle:
Den Tag laßt unser sein!
Hosanna psallite!
Gelobt sei Davids Samen,
Der kommt ins Herren Namen,
Hosanna in der Höh!

4. Jetzt hält Advent ohn Scherze
der Gnaden-König groß,
zeucht ein in unser Herze,
machts zu seinm Freudenschloß
durch Sakrament und Wort;
drum wir mit David singen:
Hilf, Herr, laß wohl gelingen,
bleib unser Hirt und Hort.

5. Bald folgt Advent der Ehren,
da in der Herrlichkeit
der Herr wird wiederkehren,
zu holen uns zur Freud.
O edler Bräutgam wert,
Komm, komm und machs nicht lange!
Uns ist oft Angst tund bange
Allhier auf dieser Erd.

6. Verleih nur, daß wir alle
stündlichen fertig sein,
zu empfahn dich mit Schalle,
wenn du jetzt brichst herein.
Aus Herz und Mund dann geh:
Gelobt sei Davids Samen,
der kommt ins Herren Namen,
Hosanna in der Höh!

Amen.

Andreä Tag wir haben heut

2011-11-15T15:51:00.003-06:00

Here is my translation of Nicolaus Selnecker’s hymn on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, “Andreä Tag wir haben heut,” written to be sung to the melody, “Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn”

ON ANDREW’S FEAST this day we sing,
To God our thanks and praises bring,
God’s name with gladness blessing
For him who was by John baptized,
His student true, forever Christ
The Son of God confessing.

2. Of Christ’s disciples called the first,
Three more he called from paths dispersed,
Their voice thus multiplying,
Of Jesus Christ to spread the word,
That without guile it might be heard,
The devil’s rage defying.

3. At Pentecost the Holy Ghost
On Andrew fell among the host,
With pow’r to mark his mission;
And so the Spirit, whom before
Unseen within his heart he bore,
Was sensible to vision.

4. To many_a land the truth he brought
The doctrines of th’ Apostles taught,
To German lands and heathen,
Through Moscow’s lands his pathway went,
And through all Scythia also bent
And to the Saxons even.

5. Thus Finnish and Livonian lands
Were taught and baptized by his hands,
And to the Church united,
From Greece to northen climes came he,
And visited the Eastern Sea,
And lands by sin benighted.

6. To Roman soil again he came,
And Patras saw, in pagan shame
And utter darkness lying,
There too he taught, and many turned,
Till he the heathen’s anger earned,
God’s victory supplying.

7. The governor Aegeas urged
Christ’s envoy sorely to be scourged
And suffer crucifixion;
But Andrew’s courage never failed,
Confessing Christ, he thus prevailed,
And bled in faith’s conviction.

8. A wicked spirit then possessed,
The soul within Aegeas’ breast
And hellwards plunged his spirit,
Such is the fate of every foe
Of Christ, who grudge all men to know
His Word, or ever hear it.

9. Lord Jesus, make us also bold,
Thy cross our highest good to hold,
Nor at our own to waver:
Who for Thy sake is crucified
Shall perish not, though he have died:
His name shall flourish ever.

10. E’en as a fire for half an hour
The heavens kindled with its pow’r
And Andrew’s mouth surrounded,
Who then his spirit heav’n-ward sent,
And all the people did repent,
By heaven’s sign astounded:

11. So ever grant, O Christ our Lord,
Thy light upon us to be poured,
Thy Spirit us preserving;
When we from hence in death depart,
Then let it be with all our heart,
And with a faith unswerving.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

Andreä Tag wir haben heut,
Gott lob und dank, mit Herzenfreud,
sein Nam tapfer und schone.
Von Johann er getaufet war,
des Jünger in der Göttlich Lahr,
erkennt Christ Gottes Sohne.

2. Der erste Jünger Christi war,
dreimal berufen endlich dar,
daß er Apostels Stimme
ließ gehn und Predigt Jesum Christ,
welchs er getan ohn alle List
wider des Teufels Grimmen.

3. Am Pfingsttag er den heilgen Geist
empfing sichtiglich allermeist,
den er zuvor auch halte
innerlich und unsichtbarlich
im Herzen und auch kräftiglich
durch manche Wundertaten.

4. Er hat gelehrt an manchem Ort
wie ein Apostel hie und dort,
auch unser Deutsche Lande,
gen Mitternacht er kommen ist,
Moscken und alls was Scytisch ist,
zun Sachsen er sich fande.

5. In Finnland und Liefland er hat
gelehrt, getauft und früh und spat
die Kirchen wohl bekehret,
aus Griechenland er kam dahin,
aus hoch deutsch Mehr stand stets sein Sinn,
von dann er wiederkehret.

6. Gen Rom kam er und weiter fort,
die Stadt Patras er sahe dort
in Finsternis tief liegen:
Er wand sich hin, lehrt und bekehrt,
darob er ward sehrt verunehrt,
Gott wollt ihn lassen siegen.

7. Der Statthalter, Ägeas gnannt,
ließ geißeln den Christus gesandt
und an das Kreuze hängen.
Andreas war getrost von Mut,
fröhlich, beständig, ließ sein Blut,
Christum er tät bekennen.

8. Ägeas drüber bsessen war
vom bösen Geist, sich selbs fürwahr
gestürtzt herab, tot blieben:
Also geht es den Feinden all,
die Christum und seins Wortes Schall
wollen nur stets betrüben.

9. Herr Jesu, gib uns auch den Mut,
daß wir dein Kreuz fürs höchste Gut
halten und kein Kreuz fliehen:
Wer an das Kreuz gehangen wird
um deinetwilln, der nicht verdirbt,
sein Nam tut ewig blühen.

10. Gleichwie ein Blitz ein halbe Stund
vom Himmel leuchtet und den Mund
Andreä tät umgeben,
welcher darnach sein Geiset aufgab,
und alles Volk entsatzt sich drab,
bekehrt sich auch zum Leben:

11. Also gib uns, Herr Jesu Christ,
deins Lichtes Glanz zu jeder Frist,
dein Geist in uns laß walten.
Wenn wir von hinnen scheiden schier,
laß solchs geschehn mit Herz begier,
den Glauben nicht erkalten.

Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah* (Kelly’s translation, updated)

2011-10-14T13:49:00.004-05:00

Here is hymn #432 in Walther’s hymnal, “Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah” (P. Gerhardt, 1653), translated by J. Kelly, formerly appointed for Trinity XXVII (Matt. XV). I offer my own emendation, update, and recommended cento (about 3 minutes instead of 4 minutes). Schamelius (the first publisher) gave it the title: “Sweet Thoughts on the Entrance to Eternal Life at Christ’s Last Coming.”

Tune: Auf meinen lieben Gott.

THE TIME is very near
When, Lord, You will be here;
The signs of which You’ve spoken
Your advent should betoken;
We’ve seen them oft fulfilling
In number beyond telling.

2. What shall I do then, Lord,
But rest upon Your Word,
The promise You have given
That You will come from heaven,
Me from the grave deliver
And from all woe forever?

3. O Jesus Christ, how fair
Will be my portion there!
The welcome You’ll address me,
Your glances, how they’ll bless me,
When I, the earth forsaking,
My flight to You am taking.

4. Oh, what will be the word
You’ll speak, my Shepherd Lord!
What will be then Your greeting,
Me and my brethren meeting?
Your members You will own us,
And near Yourself enthrone us.

(5) 7. I’ll see then and adore
Your body’s bruises sore,
Whereon our faith is founded—
The prints of nails that wounded
Your hands and feet be greeting,
Your gaze with rapture meeting.

(6) 8. O Lord, alone You know,
The joys so pure that flow
In life’s unfailing river
In paradise forever,
You can portray and show them:
By faith alone I know them.

(7) 9. What I’ve believed stands sure,
And shall remain secure;
My part that wealth surpasses
Which here the rich amasses;
All other wealth will wither,
My portion holds together.

(8) 11. You’ll say, “Come, taste and see,
O child beloved by Me,
Come, taste the gifts so precious
I and my Father gracious
Can give you without measure,
Come, bask in endless pleasure!”

(9) 16. How sad, O Lord, am I,
Till I shall see on high
You come in glory hither
To bring Your Church together;
Were You but now revealing
Yourself, my wish fulfilling!

(10) 17. The time is known to You;
This is my action due:
To be prepared for going,
And all things so be doing,
That every moment even
My heart may be in heaven.

(11) 18. This grant, Lord, and me bless,
That so Your truth and grace
May keep me ever waking,
Lest Your day, overtaking
Me unawares, affright me,
But may, O Lord, delight me.

Translation J. Kelly, alt. by M. Carver, 2011.

J. KELLY’S FULL TRANSLATION:

THE TIME is very near
When, Lord, Thou wilt be here
The signs whereof Thou’st spoken
Thine advent should betoken,
We’ve seen them oft fulfilling
In number beyond telling.

2. What shall I do then, Lord,

But rest upon Thy Word,

The promise Thou hast given

That Thou wilt come from heaven,

Me from the grave deliver

And from all woe forever?

3. Ah! Jesus Christ, how fair

Will be my portion there!

The welcome Thou’lt address me,

Thy glances, how they’ll bless me,

When I the earth forsaking,

My flight to You am taking.

4. Ah! what will be the word

Thou’lt speak, my Shepherd Lord!

What will be then Thy greeting,

Me and my brethren meeting?

Thy members Thou wilt own us,

And near Thyself enthrone us.

5. And in that blessed hour,

How shall I have the pow’r

Mine eyelids dry of keeping,

How tears of joy from weeping

Refrain, that flowing over

My cheeks, like floods would cover?

6. And what a beauteous light

Will from Thy face so bright

Beam on me, then in heaven,

when sight of Thee is given,

Thy goodness then me filling,

Joy will my breast be swelling.

7. I’ll see then and adore

Thy body bruisèd sore,

Whereon our faith is founded,

The prints of nails that wounded

Thy hands and feet be greeting,

Thy gaze with rapture meeting.

8. Thou, Lord, alone dost know,

The joys so pure that flow

In life’s unfailing river

In paradise forever,

Thou canst portray and show them:

By faith alone I know them.

9. What I’ve believed stands sure,

Remaineth aye secure;

My part the wealth surpasseth,

The richest here amasseth;

All other wealth decayeth,

My portion ever stayeth.

10. My God, my fairest Part!

How will my bounding heart

With joy be overflowing,

Praise evermore renewing,

When through the door of heaven

By Thee is entrance given?

11. Thou’lt say, “Come, taste and see,

Oh! Child beloved by Me,

Come, taste the gifts so precious

I and my Father gracious

Have to bestow, come hither,

In pleasure bask for ever.”

12. Alas, thou world so poor!

Of wealth, what is thy store?

Mean is it to be holden,

Compared with all the golden

Crowns and thrones Jesus placeth

For whom He loves and graceth.

13. Here is the angel’s home,

Blest spirits hither come,

Here naught is heard but singing,

Naught seen but joy up-springing,

No cross, no death, no sorrow,

No parting on the morrow.

14. Hold, hold, my sense so weak!

What dost thou think and speak,

What’s fathomless, art sounding?

What’s measureless, art bounding?

Here must man’s wit be bending,

The eloquent be ending.

15. Lord, I delight in Thee!

Thou ne’er shalt go from me.

Thy hand in bounty giveth

More than my heart conceiveth,

Or I can e’er be counting,

So high Thy mercy’s mounting.

16. How sad, O Lord, am I,

Until I from on high

See Thee in glory hither

Come, Thine own to deliver;

Wert Thou but now revealing

Thyself, my wish fulfilling!

17. The time is known to Thee;

It best becometh me

To be prepared for going,

And all things so be doing,

That every moment even

My heart may be in heaven.

18. This grant, Lord, and me bless,

That so Thy truth and grace

May keep me ever waking,

That Thy day not o’ertaking

Me unawares, affright me,

But may, O Lord, delight me.

GERMAN

Gesangbuch.org

Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator

2011-10-10T13:47:00.004-05:00

At last, here is my translation of “Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator” (Gottschalk of Limburg, d. 1098.), the Sequence for S. Mary Magdalene. Too late for this year, but plenty early for next. I give it as found in Lossius’ Psalmodia, with minor corrections from Migne, PL 141:1326f. Note that stanzas 6a and 6b have been reversed from the original order. It is unclear whether this occurs in Lossius by accident, though I see no apparent reason to have Mary come first in the contrast. In phrase 6b I have connected peccati nescius with the preceding, not the following, words. In both text and tune I have normalized the meter of some lines which are uneven or have abnormal stress in the Latin.

O CHRIST, WE praise Thee,
Who art the Maker and Redeemer,
And the only Savior

2a. Of earth, heav’n, and ocean,
Angel-choirs and humankind;
2b. Whom alone we worship
And confess both God and Man.

3a. Who, on this earth found incarnate,
Camest to save sinful men.
3b. And, though eternally sinless,
Didst assume the form of sin.

4a. Of Thy flock, as the Canaanite woman,
Thou didst visit Mary—her called Magdalene:
4b. At the table of Thy Divine Scripture,
One by crumbs, one by cup was revitalized.

5a. While all were reclining
Of Simon the Leper’s house,
Thy feast foreshadowing,
5b. The Pharisee murmured
As the woman tearfully
Owned her iniquity.

6a. Her master’s feet adoring, embracing,
She bathed them in tears and dried them,
With her loosened hair, them anointed
With costly ointment,
With kisses circled them.
6b. The sinner his fellow-soul despising,
Of his sin ignorant;
Thou the penitent hearing, absolvest,
Yea, her Thou lovest,
Her thus to beautify.

7a. These fair festivities
Thou foundest pleasing,
O Wisdom of the Trinity,
7b. Born of virginity,
Yet not disdaining
Sinful woman’s piety.

8a. Thou by the Pharisee wast invited,
By Mary’s boundless banquet wast sated,
8b. She loved Thee much, and much was remitted,
Who never after her error repeated.

9a. Thou drov’st from her seven devils,
Working by Thy Spirit sevenfold,
9b. Thou to her first didst reveal Thee
When Thou from the dead wast ris’n again.

10a. By her, O Christ, Thou showest Thy grafted Christendom,
Who, though foreign-born, is summoned
To the table of Thy progeny.
10b. Who, between the feasts of law and mercy interposed,
Scorned by pharasaic judgment,
Must e’er chafe of leprous heresy.

11a. Thou know’st her errors,
Touched by her, erstwhile a sinner,
Now a seeker of Thy mercy.
11b. What would she, ailing,
Have, if she had not received it?
Had not this Physician been there?

12. King of kings, rich unto all men: Oh, save us!
Thou that blottest out all sinners’ trespasses,
Thou hope and glory_of all the saints!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Laus tibi Christe, qui es Creátor
et Redémptor idem et Salvátor.

2a. Caeli, terrae, maris
angelórum et hóminum
2b. –Quem solum Deum
confitémur et hóminem.

3a. Qui peccatóres venísti
ut salvos fáceres,
3b. Sine peccáto peccáti
assúmens fórmulam.

4a. Quorum de grege ut C[h]ananaéam,
Maríam visitásti Magdàlenam.
4b. Éadem ménsa vérbi divíni
íllam mícis [hanc] réfovens póculis.

5a. In domo Simónis
leprósi convíviis
accú(m)bans typicis
5b. Múrmurat Pharisaéus,
úbi plorat fémina
críminis cónscia.

(6a and 6b are reversed)
6a. Pedes ampléctitur Domínicos,
lác(h)rymis lavat, tergit
crínibus, lavándo, tergéndo
unguénto unxit,
ósculis círcuit.
6b. Peccátor contémnit compeccántem:
peccáti néscius
poeniténtem exáudis: emúndas
foedam (ád)amas,
ut pulchram fácias.

7a. Haec sunt convívia
quae tibi placent,
O Patris sapiéntia.
7b. Natus de Vírgine,
qui non dedignátus [ = dedignáris]
tangi à peccatrice.

8a. A Pharisaeo es invitátus:
Maríae férculis saturátus.
8b. Multum dimíttis, multum amánti,
nec crimen póstea repeténti.

9a. Daemóniis eam septem
mundans septifórmi Spirítu.
9b. Ex mórtuis te [re]surgéntem
das cunctis vidére priórem.

10. Hac Christe, prosélytam signas Ecclésiam,
quam ad filiórum mensam
vocas alienígenam.
10b. Quam inter convívia Legis et gratiae
spernit Pharisaeus
fastus quem lepra vexat haeretica.

11a. Qualis sit, tu scis,
tangit te quia pec[c]átrix,
quia veniae optátrix.
11b. Quidnam habéret
aegra, si non accepísset,
si non Médicus adésset.

12. Rex regum dives in omnes nos salva,
peccatórum tergens cuncta crímina,
sanctórum spes et glória.

Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich

2011-10-06T15:05:00.000-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn paraphrase “Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich” (J. Dachser, †1567), modeled, without much variation, on Inclina Domine (Psalm LXXXVI), which supplies the Introits for the 15th and 16th Sundays after Trinity according to the Lutheran use (cf. Lossius). Dachser, like many of the authors of psalm paraphrases later picked up by Lutherans, was Reformed. The tune is “O Herre Gott, begnade mich.”

BOW DOWN Thine ear, Lord, I implore!
Hear me, who hopeless am and poor:
Let me not be rejected,
Who am Thy saint elected;
God, help Thy servant who on Thee
Depends and calls unceasingly
And pleads: O Lord have mercy,
I for Thy balm am thirsty.
O Lord, my soul I raise to Thee,
For Thou art good, of mercy free,
Abounding in all steadfast love,
To all who cry to Thee above:
Lord God, receive my prayer!

2. Give ear, Lord, to my pray’r, I plead!
On Thee I call in time of need,
When trouble threatens near me,
Then dost Thou ever hear me
Among the gods is none like Thee.
With all Thy deeds and majesty.
The heathen shall before Thee
Be gathered and adore Thee
And give all glory to Thy name
For Thou art great, Thy works have fame,
And Thou art God eternally.
Lead me, Lord, in Thy way that I
May walk in Thy truth ever.

3. My heart let joy exceedingly
To fear God’s name. Thanks give I Thee
With all my heart, O Savior,
My Lord, who help’st ever.
Unceasingly Thy name I praise,
Great is to me Thy loving grace,
Which brought my soul redemption,
From deepest hell’s damnation,
The proud are risen up, O Lord,
Against me, and the mighty horde
Doth seek my soul; my death they prize,
They set Thee not before their eyes,
Nor find a cause to fear Thee.

4. But Thou, O God, art merciful
Most gracious, and amenable,
Thy truth and goodness send me,
Lord, ever to defend me.
Oh, turn and mercy have on me,
Give me Thy servant, strength from Thee,
Help to Thy maid’s son showing
For heavn’ly good bestowing
A sign, that they which hate me may
Perceive it and be shamed alway,
For Thou, Lord God, with aid art nigh,
In need my comfort dost supply
If I but call upon Thee.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich,
denn elend und dürftig bin ich,
bhüt mein Seel unverhindert,
denn ich bin dir abgsündert
Hilf mein Gott deinem Knecht, der sich
auf dich verläßt und ruft täglich
zu dir: Herr, dich erbarme,
tröst die Seel deines Armen,
O Herr, mein Seel heb ich zu dir,
dann du bist gut und gnädig mir,
von grosser Güte allen den,
die dich, Herr, treulich anrufen,
mein Gott, vernimm mein Beten.

2. Merk auf die Stimme meiner Bitt,
Herr Gott, ich ruf [dich] zur Zeit der Noth,
wenn sich mein Angst thut mehr[en]
[dann] thustu mich erhören.
Untern Göttern ist keinr dein gleich,
mit allem thun, so groß und reich,
des werden für dich treten
all Heiden und anbeten
und deinem Namen geben Ehr,
dann bist du groß und thust Wunder,
und bist allein Gott ewiglich,
leit mich, Herr, deinen Weg, daß ich,
in deiner Wahrheit wandle.

3. Mein Herz freu sich zu fürchten sehr,
deinen Namen ich danke dir Herr,
mein Gott, von ganzem Herzen,
dann du hilfst mir aus Schmerzen
Ich lob dein Namen ewiglich,
groß ist dein Güte über mich,
du hast errett mein Seele,
aus der untersten Helle,
die Stolzen setzen sich, O Gott,
wider mich, und die mächtig Rott
steht meiner Seel nach alle Tritt,
und setzen dich für Augen nit,
daß sie sich darum fürchten.

4. Aber, Gott, du bist barmherzig,
genädig und sehr langmütig,
dein große Treu und Güte,
Herr, mich allzeit behüte.
Wend dich zu mir, erbarm dich mein,
gib deinem Knecht die Stärke dein,
hilf deinr Magd Sohn bevesten,
und thu an mir zum besten
ein Zeichen, daß es vernehmen,
die mich hassen und sich schämen,
daß du mir beistehest, Herr Gott,
und tröstest mich in meiner Noth,
wenn ich dich anruf. Amen.

Herr, der du vormals große Gnad

2011-10-04T17:01:00.001-05:00

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase “Herr, der du vormals große Gnad” (C. Schneegaß, 1597), based on Psalm LXXXV, Benedixisti Domine. The hymn was eventually supplanted by the paraphrases by Becker (1617), Gerhardt (1653), and Vogel (1673). The appointed melody is “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ.”

O LORD, WHO hast unto Thy land

Showed favor rich and fervent,

And back from bondage by Thy hand

Hast brought Thy captive servant,

And saved their soul from sin and death,

Vouchsafing full remission

For transgression,

And, sparing them Thy wrath,

Life given in addition.

2. O Savior, God, console, we pray,

Let cease Thy great disfavor!

Wilt Thou not turn Thy wrath away,

Nor spare Thy children ever?

Wilt not revive us by Thy grace

And fill with jubilation

This Thy nation

At all Thy faithfulness!

Lord, show us Thy salvation.

3. Oh, how I long to hear again

The Lord our land addressing,

His people pledging to sustain

With heav’nly peace and blessing.

And to console them by His Word,

His wondrous deeds declaring,

Lest, despairing,

Some souls should leave their Lord,

In folly blindly erring.

4. Yet nigh to them that fear His name

He comes with His salvation;

God, fill our land with Thy acclaim,

Let glory fill our nation.

Let all with love and faithfulness

His neighbor be attending,

Service lending,

That we may dwell in peace

No man with sin offending.

5. Oh, may the Lord by grace each day

For bounteous good ordain us,

And with His Spirit be our stay,

And in His Word sustain us;

Our land with fruit may He increase,

Rich blessings thus bestowing,

Wrath forgoing,

And help authorities

True justice to be showing.

GERMAN

1. Herr, der du vormals große Gnad
Erzeiget hast deim Lande,
Dein Knecht nach deinem weisen Rath
Erlöst aus schweren Banden,
Der du vormals die Missethat
Hast deinem Volk vergeben
Und daneben
Dein Zorn gewendet ab,
Damit sie möchten leben.

2. Gott, unser Heiland, tröste uns,
Laß all Ungnade schwinden.
Willt du denn ewig über uns
Und unser Kinder zürnen?
Willt du denn uns erquicken nicht?
Daß sich dein Volk mag freuen
Deiner Treue.
Dein gnädig Angesicht,
O Herr, ja uns erzeige.

3. Ach, daß ich wieder hören sollt,
Daß Gott der Herr thät reden,
Daß er zusagte seinem Volk
Sein göttlich Fried und Segen,
Und sie durch sein Wort trösten ließ,
Erinnern früh und spate
Seiner Thaten,
Daß nicht manch frommer Christ
In Thorheit möcht gerathen.

4. Doch denen, die ihn fürchten thu,
Kommt er zu Steur und Hande.
Hilf Gott, daß es geh löblich zu
Hier und im ganzen Lande,
Daß Eins dem Andern Dienst und Lieb
Erzeig mit treuem Herzen
Ohne Scherzen,
Daß wir in Ruh und Fried
Fein freundlich uns ergötzen.

5. Der Herr uns gnädiglich verleih
Viel Guts an allem Orte,
Steh uns mit seinem Geiste bei,
Erhalt uns bei seim Worte;
Laß unser Land mit Fruchtbarkeit
Gedeihen, daß es gebe
Reichen Segen;
Helf aller Obrigkeit
Gericht und Rechts zu pflegen.

Singen wir aus Herzensgrund

2011-09-26T16:48:00.004-05:00

Here is my translation of this hymn for thanks after a meal by Anon. (ca. 1560), once attributed variously to Selnecker, Ringwaldt, Erasmus Alber, and D.G. Zäumann; formerly found in its entirety in English Moravian Hymn-Books, and used by Bach as well (sts. 4, 6) for Trinity VII. It is to the Moravian translation (here) that C.S. Terry refers his readers. I intend to offer a more literal and modern rendering, if not as poetic. The melody is a later adaptation of the 15th c. Latin Christmas song "In natali Domini." (In English); optionally it may be sung the tune given in the Boh. Brethren hymnal for "Da Christus geboren war" (shown second).

SING WE NOW with all our heart,
Praise to God with mouth impart,
Who to us His goodness shows,
Daily bread on us bestows;
As He feeds the bird and beast,
He has giv’n us all a feast,
In the meal which now is ceased.

2. Praise Him as His servants true,
For this is our service due,
Seeing He did love us so,
And by grace on us bestow
Flesh and bone, and artfully
Formed us, caused us all to be,
That we might the daylight see.

3. Soon as man first comes to life,
Food he finds in bounty rife,
Made within his mother’s womb,
Good and ready to consume;
Though the child is very small,
Yet he lacks no food at all,
Ere he leaves his little hall.

4. God has crowned the earth with good,
Giving it no lack of food;
Hill and dale He spreads with dew
Grass for cattle to bestrew,
Bread and wine from earth He brings,
Satisfies with goodly things,
That we may all live as kings.

5. God the waters fills with fish,
Granting them to be our dish;
Bids the fowl their eggs to lay,
Multiplying food each day;
Beasts of every shape and size
For our food our God supplies;
From His hand alone they rise.

6. Giving thanks, we Him beseech,
Us the Spirit’s mind to teach,
That, as this we rightly know,
In His will we e’er may go,
Praise His name, extol His cross,
Thus in Christ we bear no loss,
Rightly singing Gratias.

Translation sts. 1–6 © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Singen wir aus Hertzensgrund,
loben Gott mit unserm Mund;
wie er sein Güt an uns beweist;
so hat er uns auch gespeist;
wie er Thier und Vögel ernährt;
so hat er uns auch beschert,
welchs wir itzund haben verzehrt.

2. Loben wir ihn, als seine Knecht,
das sind wir ihm schuldig von Recht,
erkennen, wie er uns hat geliebt,
dem Menschen aus Genaden giebt,
daß er von Fleisch, Bein und von Haut
artig ist zusammen gebaut,
daß er des Tages Licht anschaut.

3. Alsbald der Mensch sein Leben hat,
seine Küche vor ihm staht;
in dem Leib der Mutter sein
ist es zugerichtet fein;
ob es ist ein kleines Kind,
Mangel doch an nirgends findt,
biß es an die Welt herkömmt.

4. GOtt hat die Erd schön zugerichtt,
läßts an Nahrung mangeln nicht,
Berg und Thal die macht er naß,
daß dem Vieh auch wächst sein Gras:
Aus der Erden Wein und Brodt
schaffet Gott, und giebts uns satt,
daß der Mensch sein Leben hat.

5. Das Wasser das muß geben Fisch,
die läßt GOtt tragen zu Tisch;
Eyer von Vögeln eingelegt
werden Junge draus geheckt,
müssen der Menschen Speise seyn:
Hirsche, Schaafe, Rinder und Schwein
schaffet GOtt, und giebts allein.

6. Wir dancken sehr, und bitten ihn,
daß er uns geb des Geistes Sinn,
daß wir solches recht verstehn,
stets nach seinn Geboten gehn,
seinen Namen machen groß
in CHristo ohn Unterlaß,
so singen wir recht das Gratias.

[7. Das Gratias das singen wir:
HErr GOtt Vater, wir dancken dir,
daß du uns so reichlich hast gespeißt,
dein Güt und Treu an uns beweißt:
Gieb uns auch das Gedeyen dazu,
unserm Leib Gesundheit und Ruh!
wer das begehrt, sprech: Amen dazu.]*

*A later addition.

Jucundare plebs fidelis*

2011-09-20T16:33:00.003-05:00

I reproduce here Digby Wrangham's translation "O Be Joyful, Faithful Nation," a text that is true to the original meter (unlike Campbell's popular "Christians, Come in Sweetest Measure"). Its source, Wrangham's translation of Gautier's text, is here. Thanks to Christopher McAvoy for reference of the MS, I here provide a transcription of the melody from the Paris Missal:

O BE joyful, faithful nation!
Seed of God's own generation!
Mindful of the revelation
In Ezekiel's prophecy:
In that witness John uniteth,
Who th' Apocalypse inditeth;
"Witness true my true pen writeth
Of what truly met mine eye!"

2. Round the footstool of the Godhead,
'Mongst the blessed Saints included,
Stand four creatures there embodied,
Diverse in their form to view.
One an eagle's semblance weareth,
One a lion's likeness beareth,
But as man or ox appeareth
Each one of the other two.

3. As Evangelists, these creatures
Figure forth, in form and features,
Those, whose doctrines' stream, like Nature's
Rain, is on the Church outpoured;
Matthew, Mark, and Luke pourtraying,
Him too, who His sire obeying,
By the nets no longer staying,
Came to follow thee, O Lord!

4. Matthew as the man is treated,
Since 'tis he, who hath related,
How from man, by God created,
God did, as a man, descend.
Luke the ox's semblance weareth,
Since his Gospel first declareth,
As he thence the Law's veil teareth,
Sacrifices' aim and end.

5. Mark, the lion, his voice upraises,
Crying out in desert places:
"Cleanse your hearts from all sin's traces;
For our God a way prepare!"
John, the eagle's features having,
Earth on love's twain pinions leaving,
Soars aloft, God's truth perceiving
In light's purer atmosphere.

6. Thus the forms of brute creation
Prophets in their revelation
Use; but in their application
All their sacred lessons bring.
Mystic meaning underlieth
Wheels that run, or wing that flieth;
One consent the first implieth,
Contemplation means the wing.

7. These four writers in portraying
Christ, His fourfold acts displaying,
Show Him,—thou hast heard the saying,—
Each of them distinctively:
Man—of woman generated;
Ox—in off'ring dedicated;
Lion—having death defeated;
Eagle—mounting to the sky.

8. These four streams, through Eden flowing,
Moisture, verdure, still bestowing,
Make the flow'rs and fruit there growing
In rich plenty laugh and sing:
Christ the source, these streams forth sending;
High the source, these downward trending;
That they thus a taste transcending
Of life's fount to Saints may bring.

9. At their stream inebriated,
Be our love's thirst aggravated,
More completely to be sated
At a holier love's full fount!
May the doctrine they provide us
Draw us from sin's slough beside us,
And to things divine thus guide us,
As from earth we upward mount! Amen.

LATIN
1. Jocundare, plebs fidelis,
Cujus Pater est in caelis,
Recolens Ezechielis
Prophetae praeconia:
Est Joannes testis ipsi,
Dicens in Apocalypsi,
Vere vidi, vere scripsi
Vera testimonia.

2. Circa thronum majestatis,
Cum spiritibus beatis,
Quatuor diversitatis
Astant animalia.
Formam primum aquilinam,
Et secundum leoninam,
Sed humanam et bovinam
Duo gerunt alia.

3. Formae formant figurarum
Formas Evangelistarum,
Quorum imber doctrinarum
Stillat in Ecclesia:
Hi sunt Marcus et Matthaeus,
Lucas, et quem Zebedaeus
Pater tibi misit, Deus,
Dum laxaret retia.

4. Formam viri dant Matthaeo,
Quia scripsit sic de Deo,
Sicut descendit ab eo,
Quem plasmavit, homine.
Lucas bos est in figura,
Ut praemonstrat in Scriptura,
Hostiarum tangens jura
Legis sub velamine.

5. Marcus leo per desertum
Clamans, rugit in apertum,
Iter fiat Deo certum,
Mundum cor a crimine.
Sed Joannes, ala binâ
Caritatis, aquilina
Forma, fertur in divina
Puriori lumine.

6. Ecce forma bestialis,
Quam scriptura prophetalis
Notat; sed materialis
Haec est impositio.
Currunt rotis, volant alis;
Inest sensus spiritalis;
Rota gressus est aequalis,
Ala contemplatio.

7. Quatuor describunt isti
Quadriformes actus Christi,
Et figurant, ut audisti,
Quisque suâ formulâ.
Natus homo declaratur,
Vitulus sacrificatur,
Leo mortem depraedatur,
Et ascendit aquila.

8. Paradisus his rigatur,
Viret, floret, foecundatur,
His abundat, his laetatur
Quatuor fluminibus:
Fons est Christus, hi sunt rivi,
Fons est altus, hi proclivi,
Ut saporem fontis vivi
Ministrent fidelibus.

9. Horum rivo debriatis
Sitis crescat caritatis,
Ut de fonte pietatis
Satiemur plenius.
Horum trahat nos doctrina
Vitiorum de sentina,
Sicque ducat ad divina
Ab imo superius.

Ach liebe(n) Christen, seid getrost* (Revised)

2011-09-17T11:31:00.002-05:00

Here is my revised translation of “Ach liebe(n) Christen, seid getrost” (D. Spaiser, st. 1, 1521; J. Gigas, sts. 2–6, 1561); M. Erhard; Moritz Landgraf von Hessen: proper tune, or: “Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält.” (1561).

OH, CHRISTIANS dear, be of good cheer,
What need for such despairing?
God’s chast’ning rod we should revere
And therefore be declaring:
We surely earned this punishment,
To this each man must give assent,
And none may claim exception.

2. Into Thy hands ourselves we give,
O God, beloved Father,
For ’tis in Thee we move and live;
Here all is futile bother;
While in this dwelling we remain,
All is affliction, grief, and pain,
And we await Thy gladness.

3. Except a corn of wheat shall fall
To earth, it hath no earning:
So must our earthly bodies all
To dust and ash be turning
Ere in that glory they may share
Which Thou, Lord, didst for us prepare
By going to the Father.

4. How can we therefore know dismay
Or dread that death assigned us?
For everyone must die some day—
What blessing then shall find us!—
Like Simeon, our sin confessed,
Our Christ in hand, our dying blest,
Our death a gentle slumber!

5. Look to thy body and thy soul,
Let God the Lord supply thee,
Who sends His host to keep thee whole;
No evil shall come nigh thee.
Yea, like the hen close sheltering
Her chickens underneath her wing,
Such is our Lord’s compassion.

6. Alive or dead, ’tis all the same:
We are the Lord’s possession.
We are baptized into Christ’s name,
Who foils the foe’s aggression.
Through Adam death came to us all,
But Christ hath freed us from its thrall,
So let us glorify Him.

(7. Praise God the Father on His throne,
Who graciously adored us
And gave His sole-begotten Son
To death and so restored us,
And praise the Holy Paraclete:
May He be with us when we meet
Our death, and grant us blessing.)

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2009, rev. 2011.

CS TERRY:
1. Be of good cheer, good Christians all,
Why stand ye so dejected?
What though our God afflicteth us
Who’ve His right laws rejected?
How justly falls His chastening hand!
With contrite heart we understand
And bow to His correction

3. E’en as the grain to earth doth fall
And rise to harvest from its tomb,
So must our body vile decay
And dust and ashes brief become,
If glorified it hopes to rise
To those far mansions in the skies
Where Christ hath gone before us.

6. For, though we wake and though we sleep,
The Lord will ever shield us;
Who hath baptized us in His Name
To Satan will not yield us.
Through Adam’s sin death on us came.
But Christ the Victim’s borne the blame.
Praise God for His great goodness!

GERMAN
1. Ach liebe Christen, seid getrost,
wie tut ihr so verzagen?
Weil uns der Herr heimsuchen tut,
laßt uns von Herzen sagen:
Die Straf' wir wohl verdienet han,
das muß bekennen jedermann,
niemand darf sich ausschließen.

2. In deine Hand uns geben wir,
o Gott, du lieber Vater,
denn unser Wandel ist bei dir,
hier wird uns nicht geraten.
Weil wir in dieser Hütte sein,
ist nur Elend, Trübsal und Pein,
bei dir der Freud' wir warten.

3. Kein' Frucht das Weizenkörnlein bringt,
es fall' denn in die Erden:
so muß auch unser ird'scher Leib
zu Staub und Asche werden,
eh' er kommt zu der Herrlichkeit,
die du, Herr Christ, uns hast bereit't
durch deinem Gang zum Vater.

4. Was wollen wir denn fürchten sehr
den Tod auf dieser Erden?
Es muß einmal gestorben sein,
O wohl ist hier gewesen,
|welcher wie Simeon entschläft,
sein Sünd' erkennt, Christum ergreifst!
so muß man selig sterben

5. Dein' Seel' bedenk', bewahr dein'n Leib,
laß Gott den Vater sorgen,
sein' Engel deine Wächter sein,
b'hüt'n dich vor allem Argen.
Ja, wie die Henn' ihr' Küchelein
bedeckt mit ihren Flügelein,
so tut der Herr uns Armen.

6. Wir wachen [hie] od[e]r schlafen ein,
so sind wir doch [/ja] des Herren.
Auf Christum wir getaufet sein,
der kann dem Satan wehren.
Durch Adam auf uns kommt der Tod,
Christus hilft uns aus aller Not,
drum loben wir den Herren

(7. Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron,
der Vater aller Gnaden,
der uns aus Lieb gegeben hat
sein Sohn für unsern Schaden
gelobt der Tröster Heilig Geist:
wollt uns am letzten End beistehn,
und helf uns selig sterben. Amen.)

Dicimus grates tibi

2011-09-15T15:21:00.001-05:00

Here is my translation of “Dicimus grates tibi summe rerum Conditor” (P. Melanchthon, 1539) from the Latin rather than from the German paraphrase by Paul Eber (†1569; translations of that have been made by Seiss and Cronenwett). This one preserves the 11.11.11.5 meter. I provide the melody from Lossius Psalmodia (1579):

THANKS UNTO THEE, O highest Lord, Creator,
We for Thy faithful ministers now render,
Whose host Thine hand as flames of fire created,
Holy and blameless.

2. Of Thine own light they shine with radiant glory,
Ever Thy face with raptured gaze beholding,
From Thee Thy words and heav’nly wisdom drawing,
Filled by their Fountain.

3. Thou dost not suffer this Thy holy people
Idly to throng, nor futilely to flutter
Round the vast realms of ether, nor unheeding
Through winds to frolic.

4. Them hast Thou bidden to be Christ’s attendants,
And to defend the gath’ring of the godly,
Duly revering all Thy holy statutes,
Tending their teaching.

5. For hotly burning with ungodly hatred,
Against Thy camp, the dragon, ever furious,
Wages his war, by whom both sin and dying
This world first entered.

6. Here seeks he naught but ruin and destruction
Of house and city, church and congregation,
And every thought of Law and fitting conduct:—
Fain would he raze them.

7. Yet o’er us watch the heav’nly troops of angels
Following Christ, their Captain and Commander,
Curbing the cruel weapons of the dragon,
Where’er he rages.

8. Angels saved Lot from Sodom’s devastation,
Harbored Elisha from the hostile armies;
Ringed round by angels, he beheld unfearing
Banners of battle.

9. Safe mid the circling lions stood the prophet
Daniel, surrounded by a hedge of angels;
Thus doth God ever by His faithful servants
Keep us all covered.

10. Of Thy protection we would now be mindful,
As unto Thee our choirs, their voices blending
With choirs angelic, thankful anthems render,
O kind Creator.

11. Set these Thy watchmen o’er Thy temple ever,
And o’er Thy people, which esteems as sacred
The Word of Christ, Thy Son; this we beseech Thee
With all devotion.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Dicimus grates tibi, summe rerum
Conditor, gnato tua quod ministros
Flammeos finxit manus angelorum
Agmina pura.

2. Qui tuae lucis radiis vibrantes
Te vident laetis oculis, tuasque
Hauriunt voces, sapientiaeque
Fonte fruuntur.

3. Hos nec [non] ignavum sinis [finis] esse vulgus,
Nec per ingentes volitare frustra
Aetheris tractus, temere nec inter
Ludere ventos.

4. Sed jubes Christo comites adesse
Et pios caetus hominum tueri,
Qui tuas leges venerantur, atque
Discere curant.

5. Impiis ardens odiis et ira
Nam tuis castris draco semper infert
Bella, qui primis scelus atque mortem
Intulit orbi.

6. Hic domos, urbes, tua templa, gentes
Et tuae legis monumenta tota
Et bonos mores abolere tentat
Funditus omnes.

7. Interim sed nos regit angelorum,
Quae ducem Christum sequitur, caterva,
Atque grassantis reprimit cruenta
Arma draconis.

8. Angeli Lothon Sodomae tuentur,
Inter infestos Elisaeus [C…] hostes,
Angelis cinctus, nihil extimescit
Bellica signa.

9. Tutus est inter medios leones,
Angelis s(a)eptus Daniel propheta:
Sic tegit semper Deus his ministris
Omnia nostra.

10. Hoc tuum munus celebramus una,
Et tibi noster chorus angelique
Gratias dicunt simul accinentes,
Conditor alme.

11. Et tuo templo vigiles ut addas
Angelos semper, populoque, Gnati
Qui tui verbum colit, obsecramus
Pectore toto.

Be the Cross our Theme and Story

2011-09-14T00:54:00.001-05:00

Be the Cross our Theme and Story

Melody & Latin

Christe sanctorum decus (corr. H. Bonnus)

2011-09-11T19:21:00.002-05:00

Here is my translation of Hermann Bonnus’ correction to Rabanus Maurus’ hymn for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. I have attempted to translate it twice, on the basis of each commonly used versions, one unrhymed and the other rhymed, since the first and last stanzas are largely the same as the original. The sixth stanza is a generic doxology for this meter, apparently from St. Gregory the Great. Since that of Riley is less literal (Dearmer does no better), I have provided an alternate translation, and also direct the reader to the superior doxology provided in the other (Roman use) translation. The following tune is that appointed in Lossius Psalmodia (1579).

Adaptation of English Hymnal #242 (based on A. Riley, 1906):
CHRIST, THE FAIR glory of the holy angels,
Thou who hast made us, Thou who o'er us rulest,
Grant of Thy mercy for our supplications
Steps up to heaven.

2. Give holy angels charge o’er every dwelling,
That they may keep us, standing as our watchmen,
From Satan’s murd’rous plots our souls defending,
His snares dispelling.

3. So let Thy Scripture sound without perversion,
Nor any faction or false doctrine flourish,
Lest our poor senses be seduced to error
By faith’s appearance.

4. As once Thine Angel Michael was triumphant,
Seizing the vict’ry o’er the prince of Persia,
So make among us peace once more to prosper
E’en at the present.

5. Grant that Thine angel govern all the living,
Ably supporting all our earthly labors
That Thou may’st find them well and wholly pleasing:
O Christ, we pray Thee.

6. This may the blessed Godhead vouchsafe to us:
Father coequal with the Son and Spirit,
Whose glory echoes through the world resounding
Now and forever. (Amen.)

Riley’s original doxology:
6. Father Almighty, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God ever blessèd, be Thou our preserver;
Thine is the glory which the angels worship,
Veiling their faces.

Roman translation:
This be our portion [older: This He vouchsafe us…], God forever blessed,
Father eternal, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Whose is the glory, which through all creation
ever resoundeth. (Amen.)

Translation sts. 1, 6 alt., Composite;
sts. 2-6. © Matthew Carver, 2011.

Correction of alternate translation (based on T.I. Ball, 1921):
CHRIST, OF THE Angels praise and adoration,
Maker of all men, Lord of every nation,
Graciously let our earnest pray’r be given
Steps up to heaven.

2. Thy holy angels to our dwellings send us,
Charge them as guardians ever to attend us,
From us averting Satan’s wicked cunning,
His ruses stunning.

3. That in all truth Thy Word may be presented,
And any sects of doctrine false prevented,
Lest they by outward piety’s pretenses
Ensnare our senses.

4. Michael the Angel, once the rival quelling,
Victory wrested, Persia’s prince repelling,—
So let peace prosper now amid the foment,
E’en in this moment.

5. May Thy good angel rule and govern o’er us,
And in our labors help and go before us,
That they may please Thee, nor by sin dismay Thee;
This, Christ, we pray Thee.

6. O May the Godhead, endless bliss possessing,

Father and Son and Spirit, grant this blessing;

Whose glory, all the universe pervading

Knoweth no fading.

1. Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum
Auctor humani generis et rector,
Supplices nobis, tribuas rogamus
scandere caelum.

2. Angelos sanctos jubeas ubique
Esse custodes, vigilesque nostros,
Impetus contra Satanae malignos,
Insidiasque.

3. Ut tuum verbum doceatur apte,
Nulla perversi valeatque secta
Dogmatis nostros, pietate ficta,
Fallere sensus.

4. Angelus quondam Michael triumphum
Regibus Persis reparavit, idem
Publicam pacem, tueatur omni
Tempore nobis.

5. Angelus vitam regat universam,
Adjuvet nostros simul et labores,
Cuncta quòd possint tibi comprobari,
Christe precamur.

6. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius reboat per omnem
gloria mundum. (Amen.)

ORIGINAL LATIN

1. CHRISTE, sanctorum decus Angelorum
Rector humani generis et auctor,
nobis aeternum tribue benigne
scandere caelum.

2. ANGELUM pacis, Michael ad istam
caelitus mitte, rogitamus aulam:
nobis ut crebro veniente crescant
prospera cuncta.

3. ANGELUS fortis Gabriel, ut hostem
pellat antiquum, volitet ab alto,
saepius templum veniat ad istud
visere nostrum.

4. ANGELUM nobis medicum salutis
mitte de caelis Raphael, ut omnes
sanet aegrotos, pariterque nostros
dirigat actus.

5. HINC Dei nostri Genetrix Maria,
totus et nobis chorus Angelorum
semper assistat, simul et beata
concio tota.

6. PRAESTET hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.

LATIN, REVISED USE:

1. Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum,
Gentis humanae sator et redemptor,
Coelitum nobis tribuas beatas
Scandere sedes.

2. Angelus pacis Michael in aedes
Coelitus nostras veniat, serenae
Auctor ut pacis lacrimosa in orcum
Bella releget.

3. Angelus fortis Gabriel, ut hostes
Pellat antiquos, et arnica coelo,
Quae triumphator statuit per orbem,
Templa revisat.

4. Angelus nostrae medicus salutis,
Adsit e coelo Raphael, ut omnes
Sanet aegrotos, dubiosque vitae
Dirigat actus.

5. Virgo dux pacis, Genitrixquae lucis,
Et sacer nobis chorus Angelorum
Semper assistat, simul et micantis
Regia coeli.

6. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris, ac Nati, pariterque sancti
Spiritus, cujus resonat per omnem
Gloria mundum.

Nimm von uns, Herr (Repost)

2011-08-31T22:20:00.001-05:00

Here is another repost of a hymn appropriate to this week, a hymn of repentance by Moller, based on the Wittenberg hymn Aufer immensam (1541).

http://matthaeusglyptes.blogspot.com/2009/02/nimm-von-uns-herr-du-treuer-gott.html

REMOVE FROM us, O faithful God,
Thy dreadful and avenging rod,
Which all our foul and countless crimes
Have well deserved a thousand times.
Prevent by Thy good providence
Sad famine, war, and pestilence,

2. Have mercy on Thine heirs untrue:
We pray for grace, not judgment due,
Which Thou, Lord, art full right to give
According to the way we live,
For all the earth would pass away
Nor might one man before Thee stay.

3. Oh Lord God, by Thy faithfulness
With salve and help our sighings bless,
Give us an instance of Thy grace
And turn to us Thy kindly face;
By true repentance bring us home
And save us from the wrath to come.

4. Why wilt Thou raise Thy dreadful storms
Against so vile and feeble worms?
Thou Author of our being know'st
That this our frame is filth and dust;
Our best endeavors are but frail,
If Thou dost search we greatly fail.

5. Sin still corrupts us everywhere,
And Satan lays us many a snare,
The wicked world, our flesh and blood
Conspire to rob us of all good.
O Lord, this is not hid from Thee,
Have mercy on our misery!

6. Look on Thy Son’s most bitter death,
His holy wounds, His parting breath,
For all the world these do atone
For every sin, unknown and known,
Our comfort this: Thou wilt forgive,
And for His sake let sinners live.

7. O Lord, conduct us by Thy hand,
And bless these realms by sea and land;
Preserve Thy Word amongst us pure,
Keep us from Satan’s wiles secure;
Grant us to die in peace and love,
And see Thy glorious face above.

Tr. 1, 3b-7, C.S. Terry, 1917, alt.
Tr. stanza 2, 3a © Matthew Carver, 2009.

An Wasserflüssen Babylon (Repost)

2011-08-31T22:08:00.001-05:00

This hymn with its famous tune borrowed by "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth," used to be sung on the 10th Sunday after Trinity and its following week, in remembrance of the destruction of Jerusalem. Valerius' Herberger's father Martin used to sing it while working. Here is my translation, a supplement to the first stanza translated by Henry Drinker.

http://matthaeusglyptes.blogspot.com/2009/11/wasserfluen-babylon.html

BESIDE the streams of Babylon
Our weary vigil keeping
When we remember Zion yon,
We never cease from weeping.
We hang our harps, in our despair,
Upon the weeping willows there
And mourn our degradation.
All we hold dear our foes defame
And we must suffer slur and shame
In daily tribulation.

2. There they who took us cruèlly,
And carried us to prison,
Required of us a melody,
With words of pure derision,
Demanding in our sad estate
A song of gladness to relate:
“Oh, let us hear thee render
Some merry tune. Some anthem sweet
Of Zion’s poetry repeat,
With echoes glad and tender.

3. “How can we thus, as captives long
Beset by griefs and dangers,
Sing to the Lord His rightful song
In lands where we are strangers?”
Should I forget thee, Salem mine,
May my Right Hand, my Lord divine,
Forget me, too, forever,
And should I bear thee not in mind,
May tongue to palette firmly bind,
And break its silence never.

4. Yea, if I not, Jerusalem,
Above all joys adore thee,
As I begin thy joyful hymn
And sing it ever for thee.
Remember Edom’s children, Lord
When Salem fell beneath their sword
And wicked exclamation:
“Oh raze it, raze it, let it die,
Until its walls in ruins lie,
And shatter its foundation!”

5. Foul daughter thou of Babylon,
In wreck and devastation;
What blessings shall attend the one,
Who gives thee compensation
For all thy pride and villainy,
And meteth also unto thee,
As thou thyself hast meted!
Blest he who takes thine infant stock
And dasheth it against the rock,
Till thy name is depleted.

Translation st. 1, Henry S. Drinker, 1941.Translation sts. 2–5 © Matthew Carver, 2009.

Memorizing Hymns

2011-08-30T20:17:00.003-05:00

Helping my wife take care of our son while she works part-time has taken up a lot of hours that would otherwise (probably) be spent on translating hymns or other frivolous pursuits, but it has also had a side-benefit. I have been availing myself of our afternoon walks for the memorization of core Lutheran hymns, a thing that I had long wanted to do but for which I only found sporadic inspiration. Before these strolls, I had only these hymns fully memorized (except as noted) since my earliest familiarity with them (ca. 2001-2005):

The Gloria (DSI–II, DSIII)
God the Father, Be Our Stay (easy after you get the first verse)
O Lord, We Praise Thee (stanza 1)
Of the Father's Love Begotten (now partly forgotten)
The Te Deum (only to the Gregorian tune as found in BPB)
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy/Your Word (could switch between versions)
A Mighty Fortress (sort of confused between the old and new versions)
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart

Now, after doing walks at least 3 days a week for a month, I have added these to my repertoire:

Salvation unto Us Has Come (14 stanzas - TLH supplemented from ELHB)
Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice (10 stanzas)
We All Believe in One True God (old melody)
In the Very Midst of Life
In Peace and Joy I Now Depart
That Man a Godly Life Might Live
Wilt Thou, O Man, Live Happily
O Lord, Look Down from Heav'n, Behold

Notes:

This looks like more than it actually is. Most of these hymns are only 3-5 stanzas. "In the Very Midst…," like "God the Father, Be Our Stay," has mostly the same words in each stanza with only a few lines differing. The long ones I did first and took a few days for each one to sink in, with lots of repetition and mnemonic reasoning and attention to alliterations and assonance to help remember. Since then I have alternated singing at least one of these on each walk so that I never forget.

The easiest hymns to memorize for me seem to be those like these first two, with interlocking rhymes (ABAB) and/or irregular line lengths (like "In Peace and Joy…"), while the hardest are those with couplets (AABB etc.) and lines all the same or about the same length; examples of the latter are "That Man a Godly Life…" and "Wilt Thou, O Man…" Perhaps it is the repetitive "Law"-element in these which adds to the difficulty to let them sink in, or perhaps it is the stilted quality in the translation.

This has been an easy and enjoyable way to learn Scripture, doctrine, and readily accessible prayers, as well as to learn "from the masters" so to speak, of English hymn translation. Seeing the possibilities of how things can be expressed clearly in English I expect will really me in future translation projects. Another benefit is that the joyful expectation of learning more hymnody by heart encourages me to stretch my legs when I don't otherwise feel like it.

Here are some I'm planning on learning in the near future, by God's help:

In Thee Alone, O Christ, My Lord
From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee
The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess
If God Had Not Been on Our Side
Jesu, dulcis memoria (or some version thereof)
To Jordan Came Our Lord the Christ
Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands (or the other version?)
Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord
Our Father, Thou in Heav'n Above
Kyrie, God Father in Heav'n Above
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (maybe - Gerhardt is so hyperpolystanzaic)
How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand
Lord, Hear the Voice of My Complaint
In Jesus' Name Our Work Must All Be Done (ELH)
By Adam's Fall Is All Forlorn (ELH)
Lord, to Thee I Make Confession
etc.!

Psallite Regi nostro (Latin only, for now)

2011-08-29T09:41:00.006-05:00

Here is Gottschalk's Sequence for the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, as found in Lossius' Psalmodia, hoc est…. I am too busy right now to translate it, but hope to before this time next year! Note the only difference between the melody lines 2a and 2b is that the first two notes of the latter form a neume on one syllable (Na-to); between 6a and 6b, that one note has a virga-double in the former. Brackets enclose original readings from Patrologia Latina.

In die decollationis Johannis Baptistae Sequentia

1. Psallite Regi
nostro, psallite,
psallite,
psallite prudenter. [= …sapienter]

2a. Nam psalterium
est jucundum cum cithara,
2b. Na-to virginis,
quo psallans [= psallens] natus sterilis.

3a. Citharam carnis
percussit
in domo Domini.
3b. Dum, quod sonabat
clamando,
docuit vivendo,

4a. Mortificando,
quae super terram
sunt, membra
et hoc alios docendo,
4b. Praeparans Christo
plebem perfectam
Johannes,
vox clamantis in deserto.

5a. Sed vox haec impium
Herodem, quem corripit,
minimo [-e] corrigit.
5b. Haud tamen tacuit,
sed ad usque sanguinem
sceleri restitit.

6a. Non licet, inquit, te
fratris tui
habere conjugem,
raptam ei: [=sibi]
peccasti,
quiesce:
poenitentibus
sic praecepit Dominus.
6b. Vocem incantantis
sapienter
Herodes, ut aspis
surda, spernit:
ut justum,
ut [=et] sanctum
Johannem timet,
quem vinxit in carcere.

7a. Sedet in tenebris
lucerna, lucis
amicus omnipotentis.
7b. Studet deliciis
mundi principis
filius perditionis.

8a. Meretrix suadet,
puella saltat,
Rex jubet, sanctus
decollatur.
8b. Dat Rex saltanti
caput Johannis,
qui sanctus ante
fit, quam natus.

9a. En quomodo
perit justus,
quasi non sit Deo
dilectus,
9b. Cum sit ejus
preciosa
mors haec in conspectu
Domini.

10a. Nos corde percipimus,
qualis et quantus est,
quia vicinus dignitate [= convicinus…]
Christo fit et morte.
10b. Nam morte turpissima
damnatur sponsus,
et sponsi amicum damnant
recte morte turpissima.

11a. Carcere carnis
ductum, quem ferunt
psallendo
coelis Angeli Angelum.
11b. Et nos in terris
tibi psallere
fac, Christe,
in memoriam Baptistae.

12. Herodis spreta
quo mensa,
altaris tui mensa * [not in orig.]
ipsum te, dum sumimus,
semper tibi psallamus.

Hör mein Gebet, O Herr und Gott

2011-08-23T10:52:00.004-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Hör mein Gebet, O Herr und Gott” (Anon. 16th c.) a paraphrase, apparently from the Strassburg Hymnal, of Exaudi Deus orationem (Ps. LV), the psalm for the X. Sunday after Trinity. The appointed tune is “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir.”

GIVE EAR, O God, my pray’r receive
To Thee I mourn, afflicted,
For so the wicked me aggrieve,
Fear hath my heart constricted,
Death’s terrors make me shake and sigh,
Oh, as a dove I fain would fly,
And in the wild find respite!”

2. O Lord, divide the villains’ tongues,
Which fill with strife the city,
Upon the walls they work their wrongs,
And show no love or pity.
With guile and greed they fill the streets.
Yet were these but my foes’ deceits,
Then might I well have borne them;

3. But ’twas my friends that did me wrong,
And they whom I did cherish,
Yea, they who joined the temple throng—
O Death, take them to perish,
Let hell be theirs for endless days,
I’ll call on God, who helps always,
At evening, noon, and morning.

4. My soul in peace He doth redeem
From battle nigh impending:
Though foes may seethe and furious seem,
Good soon will bring their ending.
They fear Him not, nor will repent,
But boldly break His covenant,
No friendship finding ever.

5. Their mouth is slippery and smooth,
But war their senses filleth,
Their speech like oil would seem to sooth,
Yet as a sword it killeth.
Oh, on the Lord thy burden cast,
He shall not let thee fall at last,—
He leaves the righteous never.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Hör mein Gebet, O Herr und Gott,
ich klag es dir mit Schmerzen,
der Gottlos machet mir viel Not,
Todsfurcht seind mir im Herzen,
ein grausam Zittern kommt mich an,
ich flög gern wie ein Taub darvon,
daß ich käm in ein Wüste.

2. O Herr, ihr Zungen trenn und teil,
voll Bosheit ist die Stätte,
sie laufen auf der Mauren geil,
viel Schalkheit bei ihn gähte,
voll Trug und Wuchr die Gassen sein,
wenn mich doch Schmahen meine Feind,
ich könnt mich vor ihn hüten.

3. Mein Gsell, Mitgnoß und Freunde tuts,
und die mir freundlich waren;
mit ihn ging ich ins Hause Gotts,
O Tod, nimms, daß sie fahren
in d’ Höll, dann Bosheit bei ihn ist,
ich ruf, Gott hilft zu aller Frist,
abends, mittags und morgens.

4. Mein Seel erlöset er im Fried,
von den so an mich wöllen,
und wüten auf Erd wie ein Feind,
Gott dämpft allweg solch Gsellen,
weil kein Gottsfurcht noch Buß da sein,
Gott bricht sein Bund, schlägt dapfer drein,
sie haben auch kein Freundschaft.

5. Ihr Mund ist schmalzig, sanft und hähl,
und haben Krieg im Sinne;
Ihr Wort seind glätter dann ein Öl,
bloß Schwerder sein darinne,
drum laß die Sorg aufm Herren stahn,
der wird dich gwißlich nicht verlan,
den Frommen läßt er nimmer.

Wir glauben an Gott den Vater

2011-08-21T22:51:00.006-05:00

Here is my translation of "Wir glauben an Gott den Vater" (M. Weisse, 1531), a paraphrase of the Creed set by Geistliche Psalmen to the tune "Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort" (but Weisse appoints "Die Sonne wird mit ihrem Schein").

IN GOD the Father we believe,
By whose strong Word all life receive,
Who spoke, and heav’n and earth became,
And by His Word upholds the same;

2. And in Christ Jesus, God’s true Son,
Our Lord, alike in pow’r and throne
With God the Father, whence is He
Begotten from eternity;

3. Who, by the Spirit, without shame,
In chastity true Man became,
When Mary did herself bequeath
And yet retained her virgin wreath.

4. Who, our atonement to obtain
Did suffer under Pilate’s reign,
Was truly crucified and dead
And in a tomb of stone was laid;

5. Who then ascended into heav’n,
And was as King all glory giv’n,
Was seated at God’s own right hand,
And reigns o’er every race and land;

6. Who shall from heaven come again,
Descending with His glorious train,
To judge the living and the dead
When every sentence shall be said;

7. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord,
By whom men did God’s Word record
With heav’nly wisdom to direct,
For benefit of the elect;

9. In God’s one holy Church and true,
And by His Spirit born anew,
One blest communion of the saints,
The heirs of God’s inheritance;

10. In sin’s remission, found alone
In flocks which Christ their Savior own,
Imparted through His Sacraments,
A gift that God from heaven sends;

11. The resurrection we await,
When all the dead from sleeping state
Shall rise and full accounting give
Of how on earth they willed to live;

12. And we await the life to come,
Prepared with joy for Christendom,
But hell's eternal woe awaits
The devil and his reprobates.

13. God, help us by this solid ground,
Thy cov’nant where all grace is found,—
Yea, Christ, Thy Sun and Glorious Word,—
Of bliss with Thee to be assured.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Wir glauben an Gott den Vater,
allmächtigen Herrn und Schöpfer,
der im Anbeginn ließ werden
durch sein Wort Himmel und Erden.

2. Und in seinen Sohn Jesum Christ,
unsern Herren der ihm gleicht ist,
in der Gottheit und Herrlichkeit,
aus ihm geborn von Ewigkeit.

3. Der vom heiilgen Geist allein,
empfangen ist heilig und rein,
von Maria Mensch geboren,
die ihr Zucht nit hat verloren.

4. Der auch alle Sünd vermitten,
unter Pilato gelitten,
gekreuziget und gestorben,
darnach begraben ist worden.

5. Darnach gen Himmel gefahren,m
als ein König der Heerscharen,
er sitzet zur Gottes Rechten,
und herrschet allen Geschlechten.

6. Von dannen er auch offenbara
am letzten Tag mit seiner Schar
herrlichen hernieder steigen,
richten wird und nichts schweigen.

7. Glauben auch in Heiligen Geist,
von welchem die Schrift allermeist
und alle Weisheit ist kommen,
den Auserwählten zu Frommen.

8. Eine Kirch von Gott auserkorn
und durch seinen Geist neugeborn,
eine heilige Gemeinschaft
und Ordnung zu Gottes Kindschaft.

9. Vergebung der Sünden allein,
in der Auserwählten Gemein,
durch Genießung aller Gaben,
welche ihr Gott schenkt von oben.

10. Auferstehung alles Fleisches,
am letzten Tag des Gerichtes,
da es von seim ganzen Leben
Rechenschaft wird müßen geben.

11. Ewig Leben, Freud und Klarheit,
allen Auserwählten bereit,
auch ewige Pein der Hellen
dem Satan und seinen Gsellen.

12. Hilf, Gott, daß wir durch diesen Grund,
den neun Gnadenrichen Bund,
die Sonn und Ordnung der Wahrheit,
gewiß werden deiner Klarheit.

Gelobet sei der Herr, der Gott

2011-08-18T14:01:00.004-05:00

Here for my next instalment in the Benedictus hymn series is my translation of “Gelobet sei der Herr, der Gott (E. Alberus, 1561). The tune is “Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott.”

BLEST BE Israel’s God, the Lord,

Who in our need His love outpoured
And visited with boundless grace
His people cursed with sin’s disgrace,
Redeemed us lest in death we die,
And raised salvation’s horn on high
Within His servant David’s house
To save alive the Church, His spouse.

2. This wondrous love, this gracious hour,
Came not by our own fallen pow’r,
But God declared since days of old
And by His prophets’ mouths foretold
The tidings of His promise dear,
That He in grace would draw us near
Deliv’ring us from every foe
That we to Him in heav’n might go.

3. ‘Twas naught but God’s mercifulness
That He showed us in our distress
Remembering His cov’nant sure,
The oath that long ago He swore
With holy lips that cannot lie,
To him on whom He cast His eye:
Our faithful father Abraham,
Through whom our true salvation came.

4. God’s heart was moved with pity great
When He beheld the wretched state
In which the world a pris’ner lay
Afflicted by the devil aye,
Oh everlasting, gracious God!
How great Thy love, how deep and broad,
When Thou didst pledge th’ eternal crown
To sinners through Thine only Son!

5. Now since Christ our redemption gains
From sin and death and countless pains,
We need not fear the devil’s pow’r,
For he is judged and bides his hour.
Now God will be our Father dear
Him only let us serve and fear,
With service that well pleases Him
While yet we walk earth’s valley dim.

6. Yet, dearest child, regarding thee,
The Most High’s prophet shalt thou be!
To cry His advent is thy part,
To preach the Lord with all thy heart,
His way to ready smooth and straight,
That every man may Him await;
And needful knowledge to afford
Of man’s salvation: Christ our Lord.

7. This shall thy teaching be, that men
Forgiveness find for all their sin
By tender mercy of our God,
Who evermore shall spare the rod.
This is a gift surpassing all
Come down to us from heaven’s hall—
Here brightly shines Christ’s Godhead high,
As doth the Sunrise in the sky.

8. He is the Father’s Radiance true,
Who doth our heart with light imbue
And by His arm of boundless might
Delivered us from sin’s dark night,
Which did o’er every man impend,
Who were by Satan e’er condemned,—
The straying of our foot to cease
And guide us in the way of peace.

9. O gracious Holy Trinity,
Hear us, Thy church, which praises Thee,
And cannot give Thee thanks enough
That Thou, Our Father, full of love,
Hast given us Thine only Son
Who our release from Satan won,
And sent the Holy Ghost below
That we Thy Son might truly know.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Gelobet sei der Herr, der Gott
Israel, der in dieser Not
sein Völklein, das da war verflucht,
mit Gnaden hat daheim gesucht
und uns erlöst vom ewigen Zorn,
und aufgericht ein heilsam Horn
in seines Dieners David Haus!
es war sonst ewig mit uns draus.

2. Solch überschwenklich groß Genad
kommt uns nicht her aus unserm Rath,
sie ist vorzeiten worden kund
durch seinr hehilgen Propheten Mund,
durch welche Gott verheissen hat,
er wöll von Sünden, Hell, und Tod
und allen Feinden gnädiglich
sein Volk erlösen ewiglich.

3. Es ist eitel Barmherzigkeit,
die Gott in unserm Herzen Leid
erzeigt und denkt an seinen Bund,
wie er mit seinem heilgen Mund
ein Eid vorzeiten hat geschworn,
eim mann, den er hat auserkorn,
unserm Vater, dem Abraham:
das Heil kommt uns aus seinem Stamm.

4. Gott seines Herzen Grund aufschloß,
da er ansah das Elend groß
darin die WElt gefangen lag
und hat vom Teufel ewig Plag!
Ach lieber Gott in Ewigkeit,
wie groß war dein Barmherzigkeit,
da du verheißt die ewge Kron
durch deinen eingebornen Sohn!

5. Dieweil wir nu erlöset sein
von Sünden, Tod und ewger Pein,
so sollen wir uns fürchten nicht
vorm Teufel: er ist schon gericht.
Gott will nu unser Vater sein,
dem wöllen wir auch dienen allein
weil wir leben in dieser Welt
mit solchem Dienst der ihm gefällt.

6. Und du, mein liebes Kindelein,
wirst ein Prophet des Höchsten sein!
Du wirst von unserm lieben Herrn
verkündigen von Herzen gern
und seinen Weg bereiten wohl,
daß jedermann sein warten soll;
du wirst das Volk erkennen lehrn
das ewig Heil Christi unsers Herrn.

7. Das wird die Lehr sein, daß man könnt
Vergebung haben aller Sünd
durch herzliche Barmherzigkeit
unsers Gottes in Ewigkeit.
Das ist ein überschwenklich Gab,
die kommt uns aus der Höh herab,
die Gottheit Christi leucht herein,
gleichwie der Sonnen Aufgang fein.

8. Er ist allein des Vaters Glanz,
der unser Herz erleuchtet ganz,
er hat uns durch sein grosse Macht
errettet von der finstern Nacht
darin wir sassen allesamt,
von Satan ewiglich verdammt,
daß unser Füß aufrichtig stehn
und auf dem Weg des Friedes gehn.

9. Du heilige Dreifaltigkeit,
dein auserwählte Christenheit
kann nicht genug voll loben dich,
daß du, ihr Vater, gnädiglich
dein eingen Sohn gegeben hast,
der sie vom Teufel hat erlöst,
und auch den heilgen Geist gesendt,
dadurch sie deinen Sohn erkennt.

Gebenedeit sei Gott der Herr

2011-08-15T15:41:00.004-05:00

Here is my translation of one of the older German Benedictus hymns, “Gebenedeit sei Gott der Herr,” (J. Englisch, 1530) a staple of the early Straßburg hymnals. The proper tune is by the author; note the striking similarity between its opening line and that of Luther’s own canticle-based hymn, “Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin” published only 6 years earlier in Wittenberg.

BLEST BE the God of Israel,
Who visited and sought us,
And found His flock in sin who fell,
And true redemption brought us:
Of David’s seed
Raised high indeed
The Horn of heav’nly blessing:
And sent His call
To sinners all,
Both near and far addressing.

2. In days of yore this oath He swore
And through His prophets gave us
The promise of His plan before
From every ill to save us,
Yea, from all foes
And mortal woes,
And hands of those that hate us.
His gracious word
The fathers heard
That He would not forget us.

3. His covenant with Abraham
He hath remembered ever,
Which He gave us, our own to claim,
That, rescued by our Savior
From out the hands
Of hostile bands,
We might serve and adore Him
In godly fear,
To Him draw near,
And dwell as saints before Him.

4. Thy name, O blessed Child, shall be
God’s prophet to His nation,
For thou shalt speak to man, that he
May find in Christ salvation,
And shalt prepare
A pathway fair
Of sorrow and repentance
That he, forgiv’n
Of all his sin,
May hear a gracious sentence.

5. He by His mercy wrought all this,
And so the Dayspring lighted,
Wherein we find our hope and bliss
Who once had been benighted
In error’s gloom
And pangs of doom,
Nor could relieve our sadness:
Now on the way
We shall not stray
But walk in peace and gladness.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Gebenedeit sei Gott der Herr
des Israels der höchste!
Der hat besucht und gschicket her,
das er sein Volk erlöste,
hat aufgericht,
wie man jetzt siecht,
von Davids Haus das Horen
der Seligkeit
den Sündern breit,
die darzu sind erkoren.

2. Vor langer Zeit hats zugeseit
durch den Mund der Propheten,
zu retten sie ist er bereit
von den Feinden aus Nöten,
vons Hassers Hand,
sie allesamt,
wie er dann hat v[er]heissen,
Barmerzigkeit
weit ausgebreit,
den Vätern ists geleistet.

3. Er hat gedacht an seinen Bund
dem Abraham geschworen,
dadurch dann auch ein jed kund,
von Gott aus Furcht erkoren
von Feindes Kraft,
an Gott behaft,
mit heilger Furchte streben
in grechtem Sinn
ganz frei dahin,
dieweil er hat das Leben.

4. Und du, viel seligs Kindelein,
wirst Gotts Prophet genennet,
dann sein Vorgänger sollt du sein,
aufdaß er werd erkennet,
zur Seligkeit
auch werd bereit,
sein Volk dahin die Stroße,
wenn er hinlat
ihr Missethat,
mach sie so quitt und lose.

5. Durch sein Barmherzigkeit das gschicht,
die Obenrab sich leitet,
Darin gar bald den Trost ersiecht,
der jämmrlich lag gespreitet,
in Finsternis
und Todes Biß,
darin so gar ohn Müte,
drum unser Füß
nimm schlüpfen müß
aus Friedens Strassen Güte.

Gelobt sei Gott mit Freuden

2011-08-12T15:01:00.007-05:00

Next in the series on Benedictus-hymns is my translation of “Gelobt sei Gott mit Freuden” (J. Rist). A cento combines 2–4, 6–8, & 12, with the first line sometimes being that of the first original stanza (ignoring the rhyme). Tune: “Von Gott will ich nicht laßen.”

BLEST BE our God with gladness,
Who to our mis’ry came,

When we in grief and sadness
No remedy could name:
No wisdom, wealth, or might
In our poor state could aid us;
Hell’s captives sin had made us;
No rescue was in sight.

2. Blest be our God forever
Who came in season due
And by His gracious favor
Brought us redemption true,
Who in His Word hath proved
A Light of light unbounded,
In which, our hearts, well grounded,
Shall nevermore be moved.

3. Blest be our God and Father,
Who gave us His own Son,
Who as our elder Brother,
His Father’s heart made known;—
This our poor heart empow’rs!
When fears and trials face us
The plagues of hell it chases.
The highest Good is ours!

4. Blest be our God who brought us
Release from hell’s dark hole,
And from the fiend who caught us,
Redeem’d our wretched soul.
The weight of sin severe,—
Oh God—had sore oppressed us;
Death in its bonds possessed us,
Our hearts knew naught but fear.

5. Our will in bondage languished
In all unrighteousness,
Sin had our senses vanquished,
Our mind it did oppress;
In prison chained we lay,
The Law stood fierce before us,
The Father’s wrath hung o’er us,
Hell filled us with dismay.

6. No pow’r in all creation,
Could break sin’s awful cords,
And bring us true salvation,
Save He, the Lord of lords:
Christ Jesus, who alone
Hath died and ris’n to save us,
And thus our freedom gave us,
Our liberty He won.

7. Avenged He thus hath made us,
His people thus made great,
Thus broke the yoke that weighed us
Gained us a free estate;
He by His mighty hand
Chased off the foes o’erbearing,
That now, of all despairing,
None can against us stand.

8. This work was not effected
By any earthly good,
But Christ, to death subjected,
Poured out His precious blood,
By which alone man gains
Forgiveness and remission
For all of his trangression:—
This blood removes all stains.

9. Blest be our God most truly,
Who by a mighty Horn
Hath quelled sin’s sorrows fully
And His own wrath and scorn.
This Horn salvation brings,
Which mightily avails us,
Nor as an armor fails us
To foil the devil’s stings.

10. This Horn with speed subdueth
And lays the tyrant low,
Who in the fight pursueth
And threatens with his bow.
This Horn by faith we wield
Where troubles would annoy us;
Though all seek to destroy us,
This Horn shall hold the field.

11. Where’er this Horn is sounded
And Christ’s redemption taught,
The devil is astounded,
His fury comes to naught.
This Horn a salve contains
Which, Satan disappointing,
Makes kings by its anointing,
Yea, body and soul sustains.

12. Blest be our God and Savior
Who by Christ’s blood and pain
Hath blotted out forever
Our every sin and stain.
May He our tongue inspire
E’ermore to praise His merit,
And fervent make our spirit
In heavenly desire.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Gelobt sei Gott mit Freuden,
der uns besuchet hat,
als wir in Angst und Leiden
doch funden nirgends Rat,
da niemands Witz noch Pracht
uns arme konnte schützen,
noch aus der Höllen Pfützen
erlösen uns mit Macht.

2. Gelobt sei Gott mit Schalle,
der uns zur rechten Zeit
von dem so schweren Falle
gar gnädig hat befreit;
der ein so klares Licht
im Wort uns angezündet,
worauf das Herz sich gründet,
so daß es wanket nicht.

3. Gelobt sei Gott mit Singen,
der uns sein Kind geschenkt,
das uns vor allen Dingen
des Vaters Herz zulenkt,
ja stärket unsern Mut
in Trübsal, Angst und Zagen,
vertreibt der Höllen Plagen
bring uns das höchste Gut.

4. Gelobt sei Gott mit Danken
der aus der finstern Höhl
und des Versuchers Schranken
erlöset unsre Seel.
Ach Gott, es hat uns sehr
der Sünden Last gedrücket,
der Tod hielt uns verstricket
und schreckt uns mehr und mehr.

5. Der Wille war gebunden
mit Ungerechtigkeit,
die Sinnen überwunden
durch Bösheit weit und breit;
wir saßen in der Haft,
da das Gesetz uns plagte,
des Höchsten Grimm uns nagte,
die Höll uns Zittern schafft.

6. Aus solchen Marterketten
vermocht in dieser Welt
uns kein Geschöpf zu retten
als bloß der starke Held,
der Heiland Jesus Christ,
der hat uns Fried erworben,
nachdem er erst gestorben,
hernach erstanden ist.

7. Der hat sein Volk gerochen,
der hat uns groß gemacht,
der hat das Joch zerbrochen,
die Freiheit wiederbracht,
der hat mit starker Hand
die Feind hinweggejaget,
so daß sie ganz verzaget,
nicht hielten Fuß noch Stand.

8. Doch dieses ist geschehen
durch kein vergänglichs Gut;
zur Marter mußt er gehen
und stürzen selbst sein Blut,
durch welches wir allein
mit Freudigkeit empfinden
Vergebung unsrer Sünden;
dies Blut macht alles rein.

9. Gelobt sei Gott von Herzen,
der durch ein starkes Horn
gedämpft der Sünden Schmerzen,
auch seinen eignen Zorn.
Dies Horn ist unser Heil,
das uns kann trefflich nützen,
ja Leib und Seel beschützen
vor manchem Satanspfeil.

10. Dies Horn kann die Tyrannen
bald legen in den Staub,
wenn sie den Bogen spannen,
zu ziehen auf den Raub.
Dies Horn ergreifen wir
auch in den höchsten Nöten;
will uns die Welt gleich töten,
so siegts doch für und für.

11. Dies Horn wird stark geblasen
durch alle Teil der Welt,
wodurch des Satans Rasen
zu Boden wird gefällt.
Dies Horn begreift ein Öl,
das (trotz dem alten Drachen)
kann Könge aus uns machen,
ja stärken Leib und Seel.

12. Gelobt sei Gott mit Freuden,
der unsre Mißethat
durch Christi Blut und Leiden
nun ganz getilget hat;
der laß uns für und für
dies große Werk erkennen,
und unsre Seelen brennen
in himmlischer Begier.

Gelobet sei Israels Gott (Rev.)

2011-08-09T21:43:00.008-05:00

As the first post in a series on the historical Lutheran Benedictus hymns (which were by no means “substitutes” for the Benedictus at matins, but rather were sung as the chief hymn for the Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24), I am offering a revision of my own translation of Johann Heermann’s straightforward paraphrase of the Luke text from 1647. The prescribed melody was “Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir.”

BLEST BE the God of Israel
Who saved us from the woes of hell,
And with great mercy visited
His people once who lay in dread.

2. His precious Son to us He sent
All wrath and anger to prevent,
And for His great deliv’rance now
His people glad before Him bow.

3. When hope was hidden from our view,
In David’s house, His servant true,

He raised salvation’s mighty horn
To comfort Christendom forlorn.

4. This on their lips so long ago
The holy prophets made us know,
As God instructed them to cry
How He would bring salvation nigh.

5. From foes’ despite and haters’ hands,
From those who rage like burning brands,—
He who has pow’r o’er Satan, grave,
And sin and death—our life shall save.

6. His heart with mercy’s fire was stirred
To speak a good and gracious word:
Upon His covenant He thought
That with our fathers once He wrought:

7. Fresh in His mind His oath He bore,
Which unto Abraham He swore,
To keep unto those hearts that heard
And to their offspring afterward:

8. To grant us by deliverance
From Satan, death and hell’s torments
That we might serve Him all our life,
Released from terror, sin, and strife,

9. Upright and pure on earth bestowed,
In manner pleasing unto God,
Not as by human mind devised,
Which works are vainly realized.

10. This name, O child, shall be thine own:
The Prophet of the Highest One,
The Master’s advent to declare,
His way to straighten and prepare,

11. Through God’s most tender mercy shown
To us poor men, in sin who groan,
For whom the Dayspring from on high,
The Gift and Fruit of love, drew nigh,

12. To lighten all in darkness wrapped
And in the shade of death entrapped,
That they may be the sons of light,
By virtue of His radiance bright:

13. Their feet the level ground to show,
And in the way of peace to go,
That all at last may come as one
In bliss before God’s golden throne.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2008, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Gelobet sei Israels Gott,
der Herr, der sein Volk in der Not,
und da es gänzlich war verflucht,
mit großen Gnaden hat besucht.

2. Er hat uns seinen Sohn gesandt,
der allen Zorn ganz abgewandt,
und uns erlöset kräftiglich,
deß wird Israel freuen sich.

3. Da es mit uns war alles aus,
in seines Dieners Davids Haus,
hat er ein Horn der Seligkeit
gesetzt zum Trost der Christenheit.

4. Als uns vor Zeiten machte kund
der heiligen Propheten Mund,
dadurch er uns hat angemeldt,
er woll' uns retten als ein Held.

5. Der Feinde Trutz, des Hassers Hand,
ob sie für Zorn gleich sind entbrannt,
woll er uns brechen als der Mann,
der Tod und Teufel zwingen kann.

6. Hierzu hat ihn sein Herz bewegt,
das sich mit Gnad und Güte trägt:
er hat an seinen Bund gedacht,
vorlängst mit Abraham gemacht.

7. Wie auch an dieses, was er hat
geschworen ihm an Eides statt,
zu geben denen, die da sind
von ihm gezeugt auf Kindes Kind.

8. Auf daß, wenn wir erlöset sein
vom Teufel, Tod und Höllenpein,
ihm dieneten sein lebelang
ein jeder ohne Furcht und Zwang.

9. Gerecht und heilig in der Welt,
nach solcher Art, die ihm gefällt,
nicht wie es Menschenwitz erdenkt,
damit man sich vergebens kränkt.

10. Du Kindlein, du wirst ein Prophet
des Höchsten heißen, der da geht
vor seinem herren fein voran,
und macht ihm richtig seine Bahn.

11. Aus herzlicher Barmherzigkeit,
Kraft derer uns in unserm Leid
der Aufgang aus der Höh besucht,
das ist der Liebe Gab' und Frucht.

12. Auf daß, die er im Finstern findt,
und die im Todesschatten sind,
des Lichtes Kinder können sein,
durch seinen hellen Glanz und Schein.

13. Daß ihre Füße richtig stehn,
und auf dem Weg des Friedens gehn,
ja endlich allesammt zugleich
mit Freuden gehn in's Himmelreich.

Agone triumphali militum

2011-07-29T23:00:00.004-05:00

Here is my translation of the Sequence for martyrs (plur.) by Notker, “Agone triumphali militum Regis summi,” as found in Lossius (amended by H. Bonnus). Brackets, unless noted otherwise, show the original reading. A discrepancy in the notation of the melody in Lossius should be noted. The 7th and 8th notes are given one step higher in line 3a (or one step lower in 3b). I have taken the higher ones (B - A instead of A - G) from the music given for 3b. The “D flat” in the melody for line 7 seems wrong but I cannot find any better reading. Suggestions are welcome.

THE CONTEST now completed,
Won by the High King’s soldiers,
Makes this day with praise to ring
In all the Church,
Faithful unto Christ, her King.

2a. They on earth rejected
Passing glories, joys, and pleasures,
2b. Every day the burden
Of the shameful cross they treasured.

3a. From their Lord no lust or vice
Did their soul separate,
3b. When they hastened from this life
Whither the saints await.

4a. No dungeon dark or iron fetter
Softened their confidence;
In Christ their heart believed;
4b. Nor did the bitter stings they suffered
Weaken the martyrs’ will,
However oft received.

5a. No sword o’er them threatening
Managed to terrify
5b. These boldest of warrìors,
Now with their Lord on high.

6a. Now in God’s keeping
Securely they ridicule
The cruèl hostilities
Shown by their torturers.
6b. And Christ’s own people
They comfort abundantly
Through all their adversities
In this world perilous.

7a. Now Christ’s in martyrdom, [Ye now with Christ reside]
7b. No more corruptible. [We weakly yet abide.]

8. Lo, what examples of constancy
In the true confession
Of Christ Jesus!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN (“L” = Lossius’s/Bonnus’ variant)

1. Agone triumphali
militum Regis summi
dies ille celebris.
Est populis [L: Et populus]
Christo regi credulis. [L: credulus]

2a. Hi delectamentum
respuerant mundanorum
2b. Et crucem tunc turpem
quotidie bajularunt;

3a. Hos nullius feritas
a Christo separat,
3b. Dum ad eum mortibus [Quin…]
millenis properent. [L: nullenis…]
-
4a. Non carcer ullus aut cathena
molliunt fortia
in Christo pectora,
4b. Sed nec ferarum morsus diri
martyrum solidum
excavant animum;

5a. Non imminens capiti
gladius terreat […territat.]
5b. Fortissimos milites
optimi Domini.

6a. Nunc manu Dei
complexi persequentum
insultant furoribus
quondam crudelibus
6b. Et plebi Christi […Christi plebi]
solamen suppeditant
in cunctis laboribus
lubrici saeculi.

7a. Nunc Christi martyres, [Vos…]
7b. Non valde fragiles, [Nos…]

8. Exemplis faciunt constantes [Precibus nos justo judici]
in confessione [sinceris jugiter]
Jesu Christi. [commendare curate.]

Exultet vera Ecclesia

2011-07-25T14:57:00.009-05:00

Here is my translation of the Latin hymn for Apostles, “Exultet vera Ecclesia,” an evangelical correction by H. Bonnus of the anonymous “Exultet coelum laudibus” [Let the Round World with Songs Rejoice] -- here as given in Lossius’ Psalmodia (1579). The melody is found in the same source; in transcribing it I have raised it a step, giving it the key signature for D maj. [Dr. Herl notes that it is Mode IV Hypophrygian, transposed], and added a ligature between the 6th and 7th note, where one might expect a vocalic elision in the first line of the original.

LET THE true Church on earth rejoice,
In faith lift up her joyful voice,
The solemn feast in song to frame
Of the Apostles, full of fame.

2. For by no merit of their own
Christ did by purest grace alone
Call to Himself those simple men,
To learn His Word and lead His train.

3. That through them He might put to shame
Man’s wisdom and its false acclaim,
And draw men to His righteousness,
Which we alone by faith possess.

4. As fathers He did them appoint,
And princes on the earth anoint,
To subjugate the faithless horde
By working of the Spirit’s Word.

5. Of Jesus Christ therefore they taught,
From Whom salvation must be sought,
And rescue from hell’s endless woe,
That we to endless life might go.

6. For this they suffered many_an ill,
Of pain and mock’ry had their fill,
With faithless men did warfare wage,
E’en in this present evil age.

7. Now e’er in heav’n they live and reign
Till Christ in glory comes again
Upon this age’s final hour,
And they shall judge the earth with pow’r.

8. Therefore we humbly Thee implore,
O Christ, to keep us evermore
In Thy good doctrine firmly staid,
As by th’ Apostles once relayed,

9. Lest some false doctrine fool our mind
To trust in works by man designed,
Or shameful vice lead us astray
From Thy true Gospel’s saving way,

10. That when our Judge shall come at last,
And this the day of grace is past,
We may with them partakers be
Of joy that lasts eternally. Amen.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Exultet vera Ecclesia
magnis in fide gaudiis,
Apostolorum quoties
sacra canit sollennia.

2. Nam sine ipsorum meritis
Christus ex mera gratia,
Vocavit illos simplices,
Ad sui Verbi studium.

3. Ut per ipsos confunderet,
Humanam sapientiam,
Et homines pertraheret
Ad fidei justiciam.

4. Hos statuit pro Patribus,
Per totum orbem Principes,
Ad subjugandum impios,
Virtute Verbi Spiritus.

5. Docebant Christum igitur
Esse per quem oporteat
Servari nos ab Inferis,
Vitamque aeternam consequi.

6. Quapropter multa passi sunt,
Tormenta et opprobria,
Ab impiis hominibus,
In hoc praesenti seculo.

7. Sed nunc vivunt perpetuo
In coelis, et cum venerit
Christus in fine temporum,
Tunc erunt Mundi Judices.

8. Precamur ergo supplices,
Te Christe, ut nos integros,
In simplici retineas,
Apostolorum dogmate.

9. Ne nostras mentes operum,
Falsa doctrina capiat,
Vel scandala absterreant,
A vero Evangelio.

10. Ut cum Judex adveneris,
In fine huius seculi,
Nos sempiterni gaudii
Facias esse compotes. Amen.

Herr Christ, mein Hort, wenn ich zu dir

2011-07-19T13:03:00.003-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Herr Christ, mein Hort, wenn ich zu dir” (J. Magdeburg, once wrongly attr. to J. Mathesius), a paraphrase of Ad te Domine clamabo (Ps. XXVIII). The appointed melody is “Ach Gott, von Himmel sieh darein.”

LORD CHRIST, my Refuge, when to Thee
I cry in tribulation,
Be silent not, but answer me,
And show Thy heart’s compassion,
Lest I become like men unblest,
Who from Thy blessed realm are cast
Into the pit of suff’ring.

2. Receive, I pray, my plaintive cry,
And hear how I beseech Thee,
I lift my hands to Thee on high,
Let my petition reach Thee,
Oh, pluck me not nor punish me
With those who love iniquity,
Whose kindness is deception..

3. Give them their rightful recompense,
The punishment best fitted
To all their wicked impudence,
And what their hands committed.
Thy works, Lord, they will not regard,
Build not those who Thy deeds discard,
But break them down in ruins.

4. To Christ the Lord be praise for ay,
For He heard my petition,
He is my Strength, my Shield and Stay,
My heart’s one Consolation.
Now I am helped, and in my heart
Is joy that naught else could impart,
And with my song I thank Him.

5. He is the Strength of all His train,
Of all His souls anointed,
Which must the King help and sustain,
With deed and work appointed.
Save, bless, and feed from age to age
Thy people and Thine heritage,
And set them up forever.

[6. To God all praise and glory be,—
The Father, Son, and Spirit—
As ’twas, and is, and e’er shall be.
His grace may we inherit,
To walk upon His righteous way,
That sin may not our soul dismay.
Who this desires, say: Amen.]

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

Herr Christ, mein Hort, wenn ich zu dir
in meinen Nöthen rufe,
so schweig ja nicht, antworte mir,
und komm mir ja zu Hülfe,
aufdaß ich den nicht werde gleich,
die ausser deinem lieben Reich
tief in die Hölle fahren.

2. Die Stimm meins Flehens merke doch,
zu dir mein Schreien höre.
Wenn ich mein Hand aufhebe hoch,
zu deinem heilgen Chore,
mit Ubelthatern so Gottlos,
mit süßer Red ihr Herze bös,
beschönen mich nicht strafe.

3. Nach ihrer That und Wesen bös,
nach Werken ihrer Hände,
gib und vergild du ihnen das
was sie verdient gib ende.
Deins Thuns sie wollen achten nicht,
so bau sie nicht, nur sie zubrich,
dein Werke sie verachten.

4. Gelobt sei der Herre Christ,
er hat mein Klag erhöret;
mein Stärk und Kraft, mein Schild er ist,
mein Herz und Seel sein harret;
mir ist geholfen, deß will ich
in meinem Herzen sein fröhlich,
mit meinem Lied ihm danken.

5. Er ist all seiner Christen Stärk,
die Stärk seines Gesalbten;
die dem König mit That und Werk
muß helfen und erhalten.
Hilf deinem Volk, das Erbe dein,
wöllest segnen und weiden fein,
und ewiglich erheben.

General Doxology indicated by 766 Lieder u. Psalmen
6. Ehr sei dem Vater und dem Sohn,
und ach dem Heilgen Geiste,
als es im Anfang was und nun,
der uns sein Gnade leiste,
daß wir wandeln in seinem Pfad,
daß uns die Sünd der Seel nicht schad,
wer das begehrt sprech Amen.

Ich will von Herzen danken Gott dem Herren

2011-07-18T09:59:00.009-05:00

Here is my translation of "Ich will von Herzen danken Gott dem Herren" (C. Becker, 1628), a paraphrase for his psalter of Confitebor tibi Domine (Psalm CXI), originally designed for the tune of "Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet" with understanding of its propriety for use as as Communion hymn. Schütz provides it with its own tune, though this differs somewhat by allowing the two lines after the first Kyrie to end on a stressed syllable. I have not followed this scheme

I WILL GIVE thanks to God, and service render
With a willing heart and tender
Among the faithful, in the congregation,
Which gives Him all adoration.
Kyrieleison
Lord, Thy works are mighty and wondrous,
To Thy strength and pow’r bear witness.
He who keeps them in sight
Finds therein but pure delight.
Kyrieleison.

2. All that He doth ordain is worthy teaching,
Glorious words, His splendor preaching,
In every place His righteousness shall flourish,
Which He ever more shall nourish.
Kyrieleison.
He hath a remembrance here founded
Where His grace and favor are grounded.
Thus the Lord from above
Sends His mercy, life, and love.
Kyrieleison.

3. He will enliven all who fear Him truly
Feeding them His blood and body.
He to His gracious covenant is faithful,
Nor of His own heirs forgetful.
Kyrieleison.
To His saints on earth whom He knoweth,
He His mighty works all forthshoweth
That they all may be heirs
Of the heathen’s richest shares,
Kyrieleison.

4. Both truth and judgment have His hands created,
He upholds them unabated,
All the commands are true which He hath given,
That our walk may be tow'rd heaven;
Kyrieleison.
And His Word shall shaken be never,
In the Church it soundeth forever.
Faithfully, honestly,
It shall propagated be.
Kyrieleison.

5. God loves His people, and redemption sends them,
And from every ill defends them;
For soul and body shelter He doth offer,
Lest some sorrow they should suffer.
Kyrieleison.
For what He by oath guarantees us,
He therefrom will never release us.
His pledge stands undeterred,
Do not doubt but trust His Word.
Kyrieleison.

6. Holy and glorious is the Lord of heaven;
To Whom be all glory given.
Whoever fears the Lord, opposing sinning,
Therein sees wisdom’s beginning,
Kyrieleison.
This is godly, good understanding,
Those who have it know God’s commanding,—
As they go in His ways,
Evermore endures their praise.
Kyrieleison.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Ich will von Herzen danken Gott dem Herren
und ihm dienen willig gerne
im Rath der Frommen und in der Gemeine,
die ihn ehrt von Herzen reine,
Kyrieleison.
Herr, wie schön und groß sind deine Werk,
die zeugen von deiner Macht und Stärk,
wer mit Fleiß sie schaut an,
der hat eitel Lust daran,
Kyrieleison.

2. Was er verordnet, das ist löblich lehre,
voll Ruhm, Herrlichkeit und Ehre,
in allen Ständen Grechtigkeit soll walten,
darob er will ewig halten,
Kyrieleison.
Er hat den Gedächtnis gestiftet,
das sein Wunder, Lieb und Treu betrifft, [=? betriffet]
der Herr gnädig allzeit
thut an uns Barmherzigkeit,
Kyrieleison.

3. Alln, die ihn fürchten, will er Speise geben,
sein Leib und Blut, daß sie leben,
den Bund der Gnaden, den er aufgerichtet,
hält er, vergißt sein mit nichte,
Kyrieleison.
Seinem lieben Volk hie auf Erden
die gewaltgen Thaten kund werden,
aufdaß ihm werd zutheil
der Heiden Erb, Gnad und Heil,
Kyrieleison.

4. Wahrheit und Recht sind Werke seiner Hände,
wie man spürt an allen Enden,
recht die Gebot sind, die uns Gott gegeben,
danach wir auch sollen leben,
Kyrieleison.
Auch wird sein Wort unverruckt bleiben,
man wirds in der Kirchen stets treiben,
gar treulich und redlich
wird es werden ausgericht,
Kyrieleison.

5. Gott wird erlösen sein Volk in Genaden
und verhüten allen Schaden,
an Leib und Seel wird er sie wohl bewahren,
daß kein Leid ihn widerfahre,
Kyrieleison.
Denn was er eidlich verheißen hat,
das wird auch gewißlich haben statt,
sein Bund bleibt ewiglich,
seinem Wort glaub sicherlich,
Kyrieleison.

6. Des Herren Name ist heilig und hehre,
dem allein gebührt die Ehre,
der hat den Anfang zur Weisheit gefunden,
wer Gott fürcht von Herzengrunde,
Kyrieleison.
Das ist eine göttliche Klugheit,
wer danach sich achtet allezeit,
führt sein Lebn heiliglich
des Lob bleibt ewiglich.
Kyrieleison.

Mein Licht und Heil ist Gott der Herr

2011-07-13T12:54:00.005-05:00

Here is my translation of “Mein Licht und Heil ist Gott der Herr” (C. Becker, 1628), a paraphrase of Dominus lux mea (Psalm XVII) [cf. this anonymous paraphrase]. Originally intended to be sung to either “Durch Adam Fall ist ganz verderbt” or “Was mein Gott will das gscheh allzeit,” it was given a proper tune by Schütz in the following form:

MY LIGHT and Savior is the Lord
Of whom shall I be fearful?—
My strength of life, crown, and reward,
In whom my heart is cheerful!
My foes may rage at every stage,
And seek me whole to swallow,
Their wicked will shall come to nil,
Sucess shall never follow.

2. And if they all their weapons take
And loose a host upon me,
My heart will neither fear nor quake;
For God His aid will loan me.
If war arise, I’ll win the prize,
I trust Him in full measure.
My faith fails not, Thus set in God,
He helps with truest pleasure.

3. One thing of all I most would love,
Which with all joy would fill me,
Wherefore I pray Thee, Lord above,
By grace that prize to will me:
That I may call Thy heav’nly hall
My home and habitation.
Yet, while I live, that vision give
Of Thy fair acclamation.

4. Have I but this, I may be sure
That Thou wilt e’er defend me
From every trouble, trick, and lure,
And all Thy goodness send me.
God is my Shield upon the field,
My Rock on which I conquer,
Though much defied on every side.
The Lord my God is stronger.

5. My thanks and praise to Him I’ll give,
Sweet hymns of gladness singing.
My pray’r, O Lord my God, receive,
Thy mercy to me bringing!
My heart holds Thee to Thy decree,—
Thy pledge to spurn them never
Who Thee adore; grant me therefore
To see Thy face forever.

6. Turn not from me, Thy servant poor,
Thy face of gracious favor,
Thou art my refuge evermore,
My faithful God and Savior,
My hope I’ve sought, / forsake me not,
Withdraw Thy hand not wholly;
Thou art alone My help, I own,
My consolation solely.

7. My father and my mother well
May wish from woe to save me,
Yet they are human and shall fail
And in my trouble leave me.
Without my God, whose shoulder broad
With comfort thence will take me,
I surely would be lost for good,
When creatures all forsake me.

8. Lord, teach me Thy right way to wend,
All by Thy Scripture living,
My task and conscience to attend,
No cause to others giving
To blaspheme Thee, who shamelessly
Deceive and lie like devils;
Lord, let me not by foes be caught
Who wish me countless evils.

9. But what care I what ills may come?
My faith shall not deceive me,
For well I know my final home,
God’s Word no lie can give me.
With God in heav’n I shall be giv’n
To live in joy forever.
So have no fear, Be of good cheer,
Wait on Thy true Deliv’rer.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Mein Licht und Heil ist Gott der Herr,
Sollt ich ihm nicht vertrauen?
Meins Lebens Kraft, mein Ruhm und Ehr,
Vor wem sollt mir doch grauen?
Ob drum die Feind
gleich wüthend seind
Und wolln mich gar verschlingen,
Gehn doch zurück
ihr Freveltück;
Es wird ihn nicht gelingen.

2. Und wenn sie all in Rüstung sein,
Heers Macht widr mich aufbringen,
Ist doch kein Furcht im Herzen mein,
Ich weiß wohl Rath den Dingen.
Hebt sich der Krieg,
Ich bhalt den Sieg,
Denn ich trau auf den Herren,
Mein Glaub nicht fehlt,
Zu Gott gestellt,
Er hilft von Herzen gerne.

3. Ein Ding vor allem liebt ich sehr,
Das hätt ich herzlich gerne,
Drum bitt ich dich, ach Gott mein Herr,
Wollst mich in Gnad gewähren,
Daß ich mög sein
Im Hause dein
Und in deinem Tempel wohnen,
Beim Leben mein
Zu schauen fein
Die Gottesdienst so schöne.

4. Wenn ich das hab, so bin ich gwiß,
Daß du mich durch dein Güte
Für allem Unglück, Trug und List
In deinem Zelt behütest,
Gott ist mein Schutz,
Mein Fels, mein Trutz,
Durch ihn ich Sieg behalte
Wider die Feind,
So um mich seind,
Laß Gott den Herren walten.

5. Ich will ihm opfern Dank und Ehr,
Mit Lobgesang ihn preisen.
Mein Gbet, o Herr mein Gott, erhör,
Dein Gnad an mir beweise,
Mein Herz hält dir
Dein Zusag für,
Du wollst niemand verschmähen,
Der dich sucht, Herr,
Drum mich gewähr,
Laß mich dein Antlitz sehen.

6. Ich bin dein Knecht, wend nicht von mir
Das Antlitz deiner Gnade,
Du bist mein Zuflucht für und für,
Dein Heil kömmt mir zustatte,
Mein Zuversicht,
Verlaß mich nicht,
Zeuch nicht Hand von mir abe,
Du bist allein
Der Helfer mein,
Ohn dich kein Trost ich habe.

7. Mein Vatr und Mutter wollten gern
In Nöten bei mir stehen,
Können mir doch kein Hülf gewährn,
Ich müßt für Leid vergehen
On Gottes Trost,
Der mich erlöst,
Der Herr tut mich aufnehmen,
Wenn alle Welt
Von mir abfällt
Und meiner sich will schämen.

8. Herr Gott, zeig mir den rechten Weg,
Nach deinem Wort zu leben,
Daß ich meins Amts und Gwissen pfleg,
Kein Ursach denen gebe,
Die mich ohn Scheu
Belügen frei,
Mit Lästrung auf mich zielen,
Als Bösewicht,
Herr, laß mich nicht,
In meiner Feinde Willen.

9. Wohlan, es geh gleich wie es woll,
Mein Glaub wird mich nicht trügen,
Ich weiß doch, wo ich bleiben soll,
Gotts Wort kann mir nicht lügen,
In ewgr Freud
Ist mir bereit
Bei Gott ein herrlich Leben,
Drauf sei's gewagt,
Harr unverzagt,
Gott wird's gewißlich geben.

An allen Menschen gar verzagt

2011-07-07T12:24:00.003-05:00

Here is my translation of “An allen Menschen gar verzagt” (B. Waldis, 1553), a paraphrase of Ad te Domine levavi (Ps. XXV), which is actually a reworking of an earlier paraphrase by fellow Riga Lutheran Andreas Knöpken in 1527. It was later picked up by the Bohemian Brethren for Kirchengeseng (1566), and the text was the basis for a hymn of the same name by Nicolaus Selneccer in his Psalter Davids of the same year. The tune is the proper devised by Waldis for this reworking in 1553.

DESPAIRING of all men, to Thee
I lift my soul, O Savior;
I venture all, Thine own to be;
O let me live forever.
My refuge lone in Thee I claim,
Oh, let me not be put to shame,
Let not my foes joy o’er me.

2. No man who builds upon this Rock
Shall be confounded ever;
Beneath Thine hand they safely walk,
And rue the business never.
But those shall be ashamed e’ermore
Who harm Thy lowly ones and poor
All without cause or justice.

3. Show me the way the righteous go,
The path to Thee in heaven;
Lead me, O Lord, Thy truth to know,
Thy Word that Thou hast given;
My hope, my help, my counsel true,
In which my soul takes pleasure new,
Each day therein confiding.

4. My God, take thought within Thy heart,
Remember Thy great favor,—
Thy grace which Thou dost free impart
That Thine may stand forever.
That grace which from eternity
Was hid within Thy counsel free,
By which they have salvation.

5. Remember not, my God, that guilt
And sin since youth committed,
Which I confess, and pray Thou wilt
By grace call me acquitted.
Have mercy, Lord, Thy love maintain,
And set me free from all my sin
Because of Thy great goodness.

6. The Lord is good and just and kind
To all on Him depending.
Their foot may slip, and yet they find
In Him their stay and mending.
His will He doth to them impart,
And writes it well upon their heart,
According to His pleasure.

7. The pathways of the Lord are laid
On truth and grace and favor,
He keeps the pledge that He hath made
And so He guards it ever
To those who seek His words with care,
Believing what He pledges there,
As Scripture plainly tells us.

8. For Thy name’s sake, Lord, gracious be,
Nor for my sin despise me:
It grows and waxes constantly
And ever terrifies me.
Therefore teach me Thy law each day,
That I may only take that way
That is to Thee well-pleasing.

9. All those who live in godly fear
Shall His great wealth inherit;
God’s Word they ever gladly hear
Nor shall they ever perish.
The Lord is their defense and shield,
His mystery they find revealed
Who in His will are living.

10. Mine eyes, O Lord, my God, are set
And fixed on Thee forever.
For Thou dost save me from the net
Of those who me disfavor.
Have mercy and look down to me,
For I am poor and utterly
By every man forsaken.

11. The sorrow of my heart dispel;
Come, Lord, again relieve me!
Behold how I in mis’ry dwell.
And all my sins aggrieve me.
Forgive me, lest I soon be drowned.
See how my foes so vast abound
Who without cause oppress me.

12. Defend my soul, deliver me
Let me not perish wholly.
My hope I place alone in Thee,
Whom saints rejoice in solely.
Come soon, therefore, O Lord, and save
Thy wretched Isr’el from the grave,
Thy flock that holds Thee only.

13. Now praise we God the Father, Son,
And Holy Ghost forever.
Extol His gracious good alone,
He is our only Savior,
And gives us here all that we need
That we may live in heav’n indeed.
So sing we Alleluia.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. An allen Menschen gar verzagt,
zu dir mein Seel will heben;
HERR Gott, auf dich hab ichs gewagt;
erhalt mich bei dem Leben.
All mein Zuflucht stell ich an dich.
Laß nicht zuschanden werden mich,
daß sich mein Feind nicht freuen.

2. Es wird niemand verschämet stehn
von den die auf dich bauen.
An deiner Hand sie sicher gehn;
der Kauf wird sie nicht reuen.
Verschämet müssen all die sein,
die Leid anthun den Armen dein
ohn Recht und all Ursachen.

3. Zeig mir den Weg der Grechtigkeit,
den Steig zu dir mich lehre,
und leite mich in deinr Wahrheit,
denn du bist Gott mein HERRE,
mein Heil und Trost, mein Hülf und Rath,
daran mein Seel ein Gfallen hat,
und stätig darauf trotzet.

4. Laß dir, mein Gott, zu Herzen gehn,
und wöllst daran gedenken,
wie all die deinen mit dir stehn
den du dein Gnad thust schenken,
von Ewigkeit sie auserschein
bewahret in dem Rathe dein,
dadurch sie selig werden.

5. Meiner Jugend Unwissenheit
und aller meiner Schulde
Gdenk nicht, mein Gott—sie sind mir leid—
sondern nach deiner Hulde
wöllst du, O Herr, erbarmen dich,
von allen Sünden freien mich
um deiner Güte willen.

6. Der HERR ist gut, richtig und süß
allen die an ihm hangen.
Ob auf dem Weg schon gleit ihr Füß,
wird er sie doch empfangen,
und lehren sie den Willen sein,
geschrieben in ihr Herze fein,
nach seinem Wohlgefallen.

7. Des HERREN weg sind stets gestellt
auf Wahrheit, Gnad und Güten,
Den seinen er die Zusag hält
und wills dabei behüten,
die fragen nach dem Worten sein
und glauben was er [g]lobt darin,
wie uns die Schrift vermeldet.

8. Um deines Namens willn, O HERR,
biß gnädig meiner Sünde.
Sie wächst und mehrt sich immermehr
und schreckt mich alle Stunde.
Drum lehr mich dein Gesetz all Tag,
daß ich den Weg erwählen mag,
der dir ist wohlgefällig.

9. Wer lebet in der Gottesfurcht
wird seine Güter erben;
Wer im Glauben seim Wort gehorcht,
die sollen nicht verderben.
Der HERR ist ihr verborgen Schild;
sein Geheimnis er ihn vermeldt,
die nach seim Willen leben.

10. Mein Augen sind allzeit zu dir,
O HERR, mein Gott, gerichtet,
daß du helfst aus dem Netze mir
dern, die mich han vernichtet.
Erbarm dich mein und sieh mich an,
denn arm bin ich, von jedermann
auch gar und ganz verlassen.

11. Meins Herzens Weh richt mich jetzt hin;
komm, HERR, und tröst mich wieder.
Schau, wie ich gar vernichtet bin,
im Elend lieg darnieder.
Darum vergib die Sünde mein,
sieh an, wieviel der Feinde sein,
die mich ohn Sach verfolgen.

12. Beschütz mein Seel und rette mich;
laß mich nicht gar verkommen.
Mein Trost setz ich allein auf dich,
des freuen sich die Frommen.
So komm bald, HERR, und hilf uns auf,
Israel, deinem armen Hauf,
der dir allein anhanget.

13. Gott Vater, Sohn und Heilgem Geist
wöllen wir ewig preisen.
Sein Wohlthat rühmen allermeist,
die er uns thut beweisen;
der uns auf Erden gnug beschert,
die Seel auch ewig dort ernährt,
dem singn wir Hallelujah.

Nach dir, O Herr, verlanget mich (mein Gott auf den…)

2011-07-06T10:05:00.003-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Nach dir, O Herr, verlanget mich” (C. Spangenberg), a paraphrase of Ad te Domine (Ps. 25) from which the Introit for the Third Sunday after Holy Trinity is taken. Note that several paraphrases have a similar title, notably that of Paul Gerhardt. The melody is the proper here shown.

FOR THEE, O Lord my God, I long,
I trust in Thee completely.
Confound me not for all my wrong,
Lest foes in triumph greet me.
For no man shall confounded be,
(This well I know) who waits on Thee.
Thy foes shall meet confusion.

2. Show me, O Lord, Thy righteous ways,
And in Thy path instruct me.
In Thy truth keep me all my days,
And to Thyself conduct me,
For Thou art very God indeed,
Who helpest me from every need,
Each day I wait upon Thee.

3. Now to remembrance call again
Thy mercies great and tender,
Which Thine eternally remain—
From sin be my defender—
Nor call to mind against Thy truth
The sins committed in my youth;
Forgive me my offenses.

4. O God of mercy, think on me
Because of Thy good favor,
Thou Lord wilt kind and clement be,
And make the sinner ever
Thy good and even way to wend,
And wretched people’s cause defend
And on the right path set them.

5. The Lord’s own way is grace unblent,
There all is truth and goodness,
He keeps His holy covenant,
And they possess his witness.
For Thy name’s sake, O God and Lord,
Thy mercy for my sin afford,
For it is great in measure.

6. Whoso he be that loves the Lord
He shall not stray nor wander,
If God he fears, his soul shall dwell
At ease and praise Him yonder,
And his seed shall possess the land.
God’s mysteries are in the hand
And shown to those who fear Him.

7. Mine eyes are ever on the Lord,
From out the net He’ll save me.
O be not far from me, my God,
Nor turn Thy back, nor leave me,
Have pity and turn to me soon,
For I am wretched and alone,
And great is my heart’s anguish.

8. Lord, bring me out of every need,
Behold what sorrows grieve me,
Forgive me of my sins with speed,
Lest they in death should leave me.
Behold, my foes the country fill,
And hate me with malicous will;
My soul keep safe before them!

9. From sin and ill deliver me,
Let me not be confounded,
For I have put my trust in Thee.
Let me be firmly grounded,
As I upon Thee wait as well;
Deliver now Thine Israel,
O God, from all his trouble.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Nach dir, O Herr, verlanget mich,
mein Gott, auf den ich traue.
Laß mich zuschanden werden nicht,
daß sich mein Feind nicht freue.
Denn keiner wird zuschanden gar,
der deiner harret das ist wahr,
wer dich veracht hat Schande.

2. Herr, zeig mir deine Wege gut,
und deine Steig mich lehre.
Halt mich in deiner Wahrheit gut,
und mich zu dir bekehre,
denn du bist ja der wahre Gott,
der mir stets hilft aus aller Noth,
täglich will ich dein harren.

3. Gedenk an dein Barmherzigkeit,
und an dein grosse Güte.
Die du gehabt von Ewigkeit,
für Sünden mich behüte,
gedenk auch nicht der Sünden mein,
die jung von mir begangen sein,
vergib die Übertretung.

4. O Barmherziger Gott, denk mein,
um deiner Güte willen,
denn du, Herr, bist gut, fromm und fein,
den Sünder führst so stille,
den aller besten Weg so schlecht,
und lattest die Elenden Recht,
und kehrest sie dem Steige.

5. Der Weg des HErrn ist eitel Güt,
darbei Wahrheit thut walten.
Denn er sein heilgen Bund behüt,
und die sein Zeugnis halten,
um deines Namens willen Gott,
sei gnädig meiner Missethat,
die da groß ist ohn massen.

6. Wer ist der, der den Herren fürcht,
dem wird er sein Weg weisen.
Sein Seel wird, so er nur gehorcht,
wohnen bei Gott mit preisen,
sein Sam das Land besitzen wird,
Gottes Geheimnis den gebührt
zu wissen, die ihn fürchten.

7. Mein Augen sehn stet zu dem Herrn,
der wird mein Fuß fein ziehen
Wohl aus dem Netz, wollst ja nicht fern,
mein Gott, jetzt von mir fliehen,
sei gnädig mir, dich zu mir wend,
denni ch bin Einsam und Elend,
groß ist die Angst meins Herzens.

8. Herr, führ mich aus meinen Nöthen,
schau mein Jammer, Elende,
daß mich meine Sünd nicht töten,
vergib mir sie behende,
sieh, meiner Feind der sind so viel,
und hassen mich nur aus Mutwill,
mein Seel vor ihn bewahre.

9. Errette mich aus aller Noth,
daß ich nicht werd zuschanden,
denn auf dich trau ich lieber Gott,
recht und schlecht mich im Lande
behüten muß, denn ich harr dein,
ach Gott, erlös Israel fein,
aus allen seinen Nöten.

I love Thee Lord, Thy name I bless

2011-07-05T07:59:00.008-05:00

Here is a seven-stanza paraphrase of Ps. 18. The melody is "Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält," or Schütz' tune for Becker's Psalm 36, "So weit, Herr Gott, der Himmel reicht."

I LOVE Thee, Lord, Thy name I bless,
My Strength, my Rock unshaken,
The greatest Stronghold I possess,
I never am forsaken.
My God I put my trust in Thee,
For thus I claim Thy victory,
In Thee my hope is grounded.

2. To Thee for rescue, Lord, I cried,
When death was close around me,
When devil’s torrents terrified
And Hades’ fetters bound me;

Then when it seemed that death was nigh
Thou didst receive mine urgent cry
And from Thy palace hasten.

3. The earth was shaken at Thy wrath
The mountains quaked in terror
And smoke and fire filled all the earth
And lightning flashed with furor,
When Thou upon Thy cherubim
Didst ride in raiment black and grim,
And tear apart the heavens.

4. When floods of anger round me rose,
And earth’s deep roots were falling
Thou didst redeem me from my foes
And vain was all their calling.
For to the saints Thou saintly art,
And haughty to the haughty heart,
The proud Thou humblest ever.

5. O Lord, Thy people knows Thine aid:
Thy Word Thou giv’st to light us;
Our darkness as the day is made.
And when our foe would fight us,
Thou teachest by Thy Word alone
Our hands to fight, our feet to run:
It is our sure foundation.

6. Thou puttest all my foes to flight,
My rivals Thou dost shatter;
As chaff upon the windy height,
Thou makest them to scatter,
Thou savest me from men of strife,
And givest me another life,
While those who hate Thee perish.

7. Praise be to Thee, O Christ my Lord,
Avenger, Strength and Savior,
Who by Thy death dost help afford
And givest life forever.
Defeating Satan, death, and hell,
Thou broughtest me God’s grace as well,
The spoils are mine forever.

Aeterne gratias tibi dicamus omnes Conditor

2011-07-02T12:23:00.018-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Aeterne gratias tibi” (P. Melanchthon), as given in Lossius’ Psalmodia (1579) for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. The tune is also used for other hymns in the book cited.

ETERNAL MAKER, unto Thee

May all our thanks and praises be,

Who in the midst of many a foe
Dost save Thy Church from every woe.

2. Through heathen arms in open view
And Herod’s mighty retinue
Through perils many and severe
And doctrines false and dangers sheer,

3. Thou didst Thy virgin spare from death
Until she reached Elizabeth
To tell her of Thy gift of grace,
Who madest her Thy dwelling-place.

4. Nor priest nor prince was giv’n to see
The tidings of that prophecy,
Nor in that spotless veil to view
The advent of our Savior true.

5. But rather did Elizabeth
Beside the Virgin, full of faith,
Those tidings to the faithful bring,
Who worshiped Christ as God and King.

6. As in the womb the prophet lay,
He knew his Lord of ancient day,
And Him to priests as yet unknown
Adored upon His virgin throne.

7. This first of synods so confessed
That there within the Virgin blest,
The Father’s Word, in hour foresaid,
Had taken flesh and man was made.

8. Now kindled by this witness pure,
Within our heart, a faith more sure
Must render praise and pray’r alone
To Christ, the virgin Mary’s Son,

9. And seek His help with hope unblent,
And trust in whom the Father sent
To save all those who on Him call,
And freedom grant from evils all.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Aeterne gratias tibi
dicamus omnes conditor,
Quod inter hostes plurimos,
Ecclesiam servas tamen.

2. Ut inter arma gentium,
Herodis et Satellites
Interque tetros dogmatum
Furores et deliria.

3. Servas Mariam virginem
Domumque castae_Elisabeth,
Quae praedicavit munus tuum,
Datumque Christum nuntiat.

4. Non Pontifex, non Principes,
etsi sciunt oracula
vatum, venisse noverant,
salutis autorem novae.

5. Sed dulcis haec Elizabeth,
et virginis congressio,
Arcana promit caeteris,
vere Deum colentibus

6. Alvoque foetus conditus,
longo sacerdotum agmini,
agnoscit, ignotum ducem,
adorat et gestu suo.

7. Haec prima Synodus fuit,
testata deo Christo duce,
postquam statuto tempore,
Verbum Patris factum est caro.

8. Accensa testimoniis,
in corde nostro talibus,
colat fides, et invocet,
Christum Mariae filium.

9. Opemque spe firma petat,
missumque credat a Patre.
ut invocantes adjuvet,
malisque cunctis liberet.

GERMAN (transl. by A. Lobwasser)

1. Dir Gott und Schöpfer danken wir
Lob, Ehr und Preis wir geben dir,
Daß du uns wieder unser Feind,
beschützest welcher sehr viel seind.

2. Wie du wieder die Heidenschaft
und den Herodis Macht und Kraft,
in grosser mächtiger Gefahr,
und greulichen Irrthum der Lahr,

3. Mariam gewaltig hast erredt,
und denn das Haus Elisabeth,
die deiner Wohlthat eingedenk,
hochrühmen Christum dein Geschenk.

4. Dem Hohenpriester dem sonst wohl
die Weissagung bekannt sein soll,
den Fürsten auch ist nicht bekannt,
der Seelen Tröster und Heiland.

5. Sondern die Jungfrau lobesam
und dann ihr Mum zu der sie kam
hat diese Ding den Kund gethan,
die Gott ehren und rufen an.

6. Dir Frucht die noch verborgen war,
im Mutterleib vermerket klar,
höret und bett den Fürsten an,
den aus den Priestern kennt kein Mann.

7. Der rechte Synodus das war,
der Christum zeuget offenbar,
do nach bestimmter Zeit und Frist
des Vaters Wort Fleisch worden ist.

8. Durch solches Zeugnis angemerk
sich unsers Herzens Glauben sterk
das er Christum Marie Kind
ehr, anruf, und sich zu ihm find.

9. Und dann bei ihm such Hülf und Rath,
den der Vater gesendet hat,
auf daß er uns helf und erlös
von dem was schädlich ist und bös.

Ich lieb dich, Herr, von Herzen sehr

2011-06-29T15:05:00.003-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Ich lieb dich, Herr, von Herzen sehr” (C. Becker, 1628), a somewhat close paraphrase of Luther’s translation of Diligam Te Domine (Ps. XVIII), on which the Introit for the 2nd sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity is based. Thought it was originally designed to be sung to “ein feste Burg,” I give the proper tune specially composed by Schütz (which for that matter far surpasses Reuter).

I LOVE Thee Lord, with all my heart,
My Rock in tribulation,
My mighty Fortress, God, Thou art,
My refuge and salvation.
I trust Thee and know,
My Shield, shalt not go
Or abandon me,
I cry and call to Thee,
From every foe relieve me!

2. The bands of death my spirit bound
With fear and apprehension,
The floods of hell were swelling round,
With strength and mighty tension,
The cords of Belial,
Strangled me withal,
In the throes of death
I cried with failing breath,
And Thou, O God, didst save me.

3. Lord God, Thy angry curse did shake
The earth in all its measure,
The mountains in their roots did quake,
Because of Thy displeasure,
Smoke and fire came forth
Lightning o’er the earth,
Heaven didst Thou bow,
And swiftly haste below
In darkness as a garment.

4. Thou rodest on the Cherubim,
On wings of wind descending,
Thy dwelling all around was dim,
With clouds of black impending.
Thou didst flash with light,
Splitting heav’n with might
With great fire and hail,
Thine hand didst hard assail
With mighty peals of thunder.

5. Thy blast resounded mid the foe
With fireballs, hail, and lightning;
Thou by Thy might didst lay them low,
The floods were deep and fright’ning;
Earth’s foundation wide
Parted on each side,
All Thy wrath and ire
Was kindled like a fire,
And crushed the foe completely.

6. From heaven did Thy help descend
From trouble to convey me
From every foe didst me defend,
When they were set to slay me.
When I scarce could live,
Room, Lord, Thou didst give,
In my greatest woe,
Thy grace to me didst show,
Yea, at the fittest moment.

7. The Lord is good, in whom I trust;
He shows me grace and favor,
I rouse Him not with villainy;
His Word beholding ever;
So I keep His way,
Never from it stray,
Nor against Him stride,
Nor cast His Law aside,
But shun all sin and evil.

8. According to my righteousness
The Lord hath spared and stayed me,
According to my hands’ cleanness
With good He hath repaid me,
To the pure of heart,—
Pure, O Lord, Thou art,
Should They honor Thee;
But hostile men shall see
That Thou to them art hostile.

9. The Lord beholds humility,
But pride His heart estranges,
He never hath forsaken me,
My grief to gladness changes,
He doth mine ordain
Victory and gain;
I cast warriors down,
And receive the crown,
By Him all walls o’erleaping.

10. The ways of God no turning have,
His Word is pure and tested,
Who trusts in God, him God shall save,
The Lord alone, unbested,—
He is God, our Shield,
His is pow’r to wield,
For where may there be
A God to help as He,
The Lord of Hosts, our Savior?

11. He girds me with His mighty pow’r
And in His way instructs me
I may escape the strongest tow’r,
To glory He inducts me,
He has taught my hand
Warlike to withstand,
And resist the foe,
He doth the strength bestow
To draw a bow of iron.

12. God is my Shield and Savior true,
His right hand doth uphold me,
His chastenings bring mercies new,
In them I see His favor.
In the battle tide,
He stands at my side,
Clears for me the plain,
That I not fight in vain,
But o’er the foe claim vict’ry.

13. I chase my foes in hasty flight
And cut them down together
Not one of them returns to fight,
Their spirit is gone thither.
Vict’ry givest Thou,
Foes before Thee bow,
Fallen at Thy shot,
Thou set’st their snares at naught,
Destroying those who hate me.

14. They cried, but Thou didst answer not;
In vain they prayed and flattered,
They beaten lay, to nothing brought,
Like chaff on breezes scattered.
Crushed was all their pride,
Swiftly cast aside
Trampled under feet
Like rubbish in the street:
So will I clear them wholly.

15. Thou hast saved me from men of strife,
And o’er the heathen set me.
A people serves me with their life
That once had never met me.
Strangers me obey,
Others distant stay,
To salvation lost:
They die in chambers closed,
And in their bondage languish.

16. My highest Rock lives yet, My Lord,—
Whose name I’ll bless forever,
Who shows salvation in His Word,
Whose vengeance faileth never
On my enemy,
Many though there be,
And to me subdues
Those who my will refuse,
And wickedly oppose me.

17. Therefore will I give thanks to Thee,
O Lord, with jubilation,
Among the heathen, for Thou didst
Reveal such great salvation,
And by grace anoint
David, and appoint;
Him as King, O Lord,
Thy mercy on Him poured,
And on His seed forever.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Ich lieb dich, Herr, von Herzen sehr,
Mein starker Fels in Nöten,
Mein feste Burg, o Gott, mein Herr,
Mein Hort, mich zu erretten,
Ich trau fest auf dich,
mein Schild, du wirst nicht
Absetzen von mir,
Ich schrei und ruf zu dir,
Hilf mir von meinen Feinden.

2. Des Todes Band umfingen mich
Mit Schrecken viel und Grausen, [=grausam?]
der Höllen Flut ergossen sich
Übr mich mit großem Brausen,
Die Strick Belial
Mich umfingen all, [umfangen]
In äußerster Not
Rief ich zu dir, mein Gott,
Da halfst du mir aus Nöten.

3. Die Erd erbebt und sich bewegt, [Erd bebet…]
Herr Gott, für deinem Schelten,
Der Berge Grundfest sich erregt,
Mußten deins Zorns entgelten,
Dampf, Feuer von dir
Mit Blitz ging herfür,
Du neigst den Himmel
Und fuhrst herab gar schnell,
Mit Finsternis bekleidet.

4. Du fuhrst daher auf Cherubim,
Tätst auf Windflügeln schweben,
Dein Zelt war finster um und um
Mit Wolken schwarz umgeben,
Glanz ging für dir her,
Trennt die Wolken schwer,
Mit Hagel und Feur
Schlugst du drein Ungeheur
Und ließt dein Donner brausen.

5. Dein Gschütz unter die Feinde kracht
Mit Blitz, Hagl, Feuerstrahlen,
Zerstreuest sie durch deine Macht,
Groß Wasserström herqualen, [herquälen]
Des Erdbodens Grund
Sich zerriß zur Stund,
Dein Zoren und Grimm
Brach ein mit Ungestüm, [mit grosser Ungestüm]
Vertilgt die Feind zu Grunde.

6. Von Himmel kam dein Hülf herab, [die Hülf]
Du führtest mich aus Nöten, [führest]
Du jagst mich meinen Feinden ab,
Der Sinn war, mich zu töten, [dern Sinn]
Als ich lebte kaum,
Machst du Herr mir Raum, [Machstu mir Herr raum]
In meim höchsten Leid
Kamst du zu[r] rechter Zeit,
Beweisest mir dein Güte.

7. Der Herr erzeigt mir deine Gnad, [beweist mir seine Gnad]
Weil ich auf ihn fest traue,
Erzürn ihn nicht mit böser Tat,
Auf sein Wort stets ich schaue
Und halt seinen Weg,
Geh nicht fremden Steg,
Tu nicht wider Gott,
Verwerf nicht sein Gebot [Verwirf…]
Und hüte mich für Sünden. [hüte dich…]

8. Drum nach meiner Gerechtigkeit
Der Herr auch meiner schonet,
Nach meiner Hände Reinigkeit
Er mir mit Gutem lohnet,
Heilig, fromm und rein
Willt du, Herr, mit sein, […bei mir sein]
Wenn man dich so ehrt,
Sind denn die Leut verkehrt,
So habn sie dich zum Feinde.

9. Der Herr acht groß elende Leut,
Den Stolzen tut er hassen,
Mein Trübsal kehrt er all zur Freud,
Er hat mich nie verlassen,
Mit ihm kann ich wohl
Siegen, wie ich soll,
Kriegsvolk ich zerschmeiß,
Behalt den Ehrenpreis,
Spring mit ihm über Mauren. […übr die Mauren]

10. Ohn Wandel Gottes Wege sind,
Sein Wort ist lautr und reine,
Wer Gott vertraut, Hülf bei ihm findt,
Er ist der Herr alleine,
Er ist unser Schild,
Kein Macht ohn ihn gilt,
Denn wo ist ein Gott,
Der helfen könnt aus Not,
Gleich wie du, Herr Zebaoth?

11. Er rüstet mich mit großer Kraft,
Tut mich sein Wege lehren,
Daß ich entgeh aus aller Haft,
Durch ihn komm ich zu Ehren,
Er lehrt mein Hand
Zu tun Widerstand,
Den Feind zu bestahn,
Durch ihn recht spannen kann
Mein Arm ein Ehrnen Bogen.

12. Gott selber ist mein Schild und Heil,
Sein Rechte tut mich stärken,
Sein Züchtigung kömmt mir zuteil,
Sein Lieb dabei ich merke,
Wenns zum Treffen geht,
Zur Zeit er mir steht
Und räumt mir den Plan,
Daß ich frei fechten kann
Und die Feind überwinde.

13. Ich schlag sie in die Flucht behend
Und bring sie all ums Leben,
Ihr keiner wieder um sich wendt,
Den Geist habn sie aufgeben,
Den Sieg gibst du mir,
Der Feind fällt für dir,
Du schlägst ihn zurück
Und machst zunicht sein Tück,
Mein Hasser du verstörest.

14. Sie rufen wohl, du hörest nicht,
Vergebens ist ihr Schreien,
Sie sind zerstreuet und vernicht,
Wie von dem Wind die Spreuen,
Zerstoßen mit Macht,
Zunicht wird ihr Pracht,
Wie Kot ausgeschütt,
Den man mit Füßen tritt,
Will ich sie rein wegräumen.

15. Des zänkischen Volks hilfst du mir ab,
Machst mich zum Haupt der Heiden,
Ein Volk in meinem Dienst ich hab,
Das mich nicht kannt vorzeiten,
Sie folgen mir gern,
Die andre sind fern,
Entfremdt von dem Heil,
Sie gbären einen Feil,
In Banden sie verschmachten.

16. Noch lebet Gott, mein höchster Hort,
Den ich lob alle Stunden,
Er zeigt mir Heil in seinem Wort,
Durch ihn hab ich Rach funden
Wider meine Feind,
Der so gar viel seind,
Er zwingt unter mich,
Die so ganz freventlich
Sich wider mich tun setzen.

17. Darum will ich, Herr, danken dir,
Und deinen Namen preisen
Unter den Heiden, weil du mir
So groß Heil tust beweisen,
Durch dein Gnad bin ich
Ein König mächtig,
Dein gsalbten David
Mit Güt hast überschütt
Und seinen Samen ewig.

Aeterno gratias Patri

2011-06-24T14:03:00.005-05:00

Here is my translation of “Aeterno gratias Patri” (P. Melanchthon), a hymn for the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, as found in Lossius’ Psalmodia (1579). Below is his version of the melody followed by an unidentified second version.

NOW UNTO God the Father raise
All churches songs of thanks and praise,
For John, the herald of His Word,
Whom God hath sent and we have heard.

2. He bade men turn from sin and pride,
The haughty spirits terrified
With fearful warning that the Son
Would come to judge the earth anon.

3. He called the broken to believe,
And life and comfort to receive;
The Lamb he showed, alone who would
Appease God’s wrath and shed His blood.

4. These teachings he, with spirit bold
Imparting, thus the Christ foretold,
As if a newer Sun were nigh,
The very Dayspring from on high.

5. No way the Pharisees could find
His spirit strong to break or bind;
Elijah true, he filled his task
The hypocrites thus to unmask.

6. We pray Thee, Father God in heav’n,
Our heart and spirit to sustain
That we by faith may evermore
Believe the witness that John bore.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

Aeterno gratias Patri
Omnes canant Ecclesiae
Quod nuntium verbi sui
Johannem nobis miserit.

Hic mores exuit malos [Hic exui mores malos]
Jussit, metuque judicis
Mox adfuturi terruit,
Superbas mentes omnium.

Rursumque perculsas metu,
In spem vitae certae vocat,
Et monstrat agnum digito,
Qui placat unicus Deum.

Haec ille firmo pectore
Docet, Christumque praedicat
Venire, ceu solem novum,
Prodire aurora nunciat.

Nec Pharisaei Spiritum
Fregerunt ingentem viri,
Helias alter hic fuit,
Hypocritas dum arguit.

Te summe rogamus Pater,
Ut corda nostra suscites,
Ut vere possint credere
Johannes testimonio. Amen.

GERMAN

Dem Vater in des HImmels Thron,
Lobsingen alle Kirchen schon,
daß er Johannem hat gesandt
durch ihn sein Wort gemacht bekannt.

2. Er hat Bußfertigkeit gelehrt,
und der Leut Sicherheit gewehrt,
die er bedräut mit Gotts Gericht
Daß denn lang sollt ausbleiben nicht.

3. Widrum der den die er erschreckt,
des Lebens starken Trost erweckt,
daß er das Lamm mit fingern zeigt,
daß uns den Vater macht geneigt.

4. Solches lehrt er und sagt dabei,
daß Christus nah vorhanden sei,
gleichwei der Morgenröt verlauf,
verkündigt daß die Sonn geh auf.

5. Mit nicht hat sich auch dieser Mann
die Phariseer schrecken lan,
der ein rechter Helias war,
die Gleißnerei straft offenbar.

6. Wir bitten dich du Vater gut,
Erweck in uns Herz, Sinn und Muth,
daß wir Johannis Zeugnis nu
mit starken Glauben fallen zu.

Benedicta semper sancta sit Trinitas

2011-06-24T01:20:00.005-05:00

Sorry this is a little late for this year. My translation of the Sequence by Notker Balbulus for the Feast of Holy Trinity, as found in Lossius’ Psalmodia… (1579), compared with the German version by Michael Weisse for the Bohemian Brethren (included below). Note that stanza 3b is not included in Lossius’ edition nor in the Nonantola collection.

BLESSED BE the Holy
Trinity evermore,
Deity in perfect Unity,
Glorious God co-equally.

2a. God, the Father and
Son and Holy Ghost:
Three are their names and yet all of them
One remain substantially.
2b. God, Begetting One
God, Begotten One
And the sacred Spirit from them both,
In one common Deity.

3a. And yet there are not three Gods,
God, the true God, is but one,
As God the Father one Lord remains,
So Son is Lord and Spirit, Lord.
[3b. Three is He in personhood,
Nonetheless in essence One
The Lord Almighty of Sabaoth
Reigning over all the world.]

4a. In His persons three distinguished,
Yet in substance God is one unity.
4b. Like in majesty and power,
Glory_and honor same for eternity.

5a. Holder of heaven and ocean deep,
Earth and mountain, and all that fills the universe.
5b. Feared by the godless underworld,
Worshiped even by the profoundest pit of hell

6a. Now let all voices acclaim Him
And all tongues sing Him praises suitable,
Whom sun and moon hold in honor,
And the legions of angels venerate.

7a. Let us all with lofty voice
Also join in singing
Sweetest of canticles,
Anthems melodious,
7b.* Come ye, O come and sing, *[This line is shorter and differs melodically]
Jubilant in concert,
Adoring the Lord on high,
Who sits enthroned in heav’n.

8a. O Trinity most worshipful!
8b. O Unity most ven’rable!

9a. Through Thee is our creation,
Very Eternity!
9b. Through Thee is our redemption,
Consummate Charity!

10a. Guard all Thy people, keep them safe,
Save and set them free,
Rescue them and make them clean.
10b. Thee we adore, God omnipotent,
Unto Thee we sing,
Thine the glory, laud, and praise,

11. Be forevermore
While eternal ages run.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Benedicta semper
sancta sit Trinitas,
Deitas scilicet unitas
coaequalis gloria.

2a. Pater, Filius,
sanctus Spiritus,
tria sunt nomina, omnia
eadem substantia.

2b. Deus genitor,
Deus genitus,
in utroque sacer Spiritus,
deitate socia.

3[a]. Non tres tamen Dii sunt,
Deus verus unus est,
sic Pater Dominus, Filius,
Spiritusque Dominus.
[3b. Trinus in personis ?est,
unus in essentia,
immensus dominus Sabaoth
saecla regnat per cuncta.]

4a. Proprietas in personis,
unitas est et in essentia.
4b. Majestas par et potestas,
decus, honor aeque per omnia.

5a. Sidera, maria continens,
arva simul et universa condita.
5b. Quem tremunt impia tartara,
colit quoque quem et abyssus infima.

6a. Nunc omnis vox atque lingua
fateatur hunc laude debita.
6b. Quem laudat sol atque luna,
dignitas adorat angelica.

7a. Et nos voce praecelsa
omnes modulemur
organica cantica,
dulci melodia.
7b. Eia et eia,
[nunc] simul jubilemus
alti[-]throno Domino
laudes in excelsis.

8a. O adoranda Trinitas
8b. O veneranda unitas.

9a. Per Te sumus creati,
vera aeternitas.
9b. Per Te sumus re[d]empti,
summa Tu charitas.

10a. Populum cunctum Tu protege,
salva, libera,
eripe, et emunda.
10b. Te adoramus omnipotens,
tibi canimus,
tibi laus et gloria,

11. Per ìnfiníta saécula saèculórum.

M. WEISSE’S GERMAN VERSION:

1. Gebenedeit
und gelobt sei heut und allzeit
die heilige Dreifaltigkeit
und unzerteilte Einigkeit!

2. Der Vater und sein Sohn
samt der dritten Person,
welch uns die Schrift den Heiligen Geist
und ein milden Tröster heißt!
Der Vater ist ein Gott,
der nur einen Sohn hat,
den er gebührt in gleicher Gottheit
für und für in Ewigkeit.

3. Der Sohn ist ein wahrer Gott,
der nur einen Vater hat,
der ihn geobrn zu uns gesandt hat
aus unmäßiger Wohlthat.
Der Heilig Geist ist ein Gott,
der da seinen Ausgang hat
vom Vater und vom Sohn dort oben,
mit manchfaltigen Gaben.

4. Drei Personen werden genannt,
wird doch nicht mehr denn nur ein Gott bekannt,
ein Gott in der Dreifaltigkeit,
drei Personen in der Werk unterscheidt.

5. Gott der Vater durch seinen Sohn im Heiligen
Geist hat geschaffen alle Ding,
der Sohn Gottes durch die Gnad des Vatern hat im
Heiligen Geist die Welt erlöst.

6. Der Heilige Geist durch den Sohn Gottes
ins Vatern Gnad seliget uns.
So ist nu ein Gott allmächtig
weis und gütig in der Dreifaltigkeit.

7. Diesen söllen wir loben
und ihm danken d’ manchfaltigen Gaben
so wir von ihm haben.
Ei, so last uns nu singen,
und unser Gebet mit Dank für ihn bringen,
so wirds uns gelingen!

8. O Heilige Dreifaltigkeit,
o unzerteilte Einigkeit!

9. Von dir sind wir geschaffen,
ewig Allmächtigkeit!
Durch dich sind wir erlöset,
unerschaffne Weißheit!

10. In dir, unmäßige Gütigkeit,
warten wir ordentlich der ewigen Seligkeit!
O Gott Vater, Sohn, Heiliger Geist,
erbarm dich und steh uns bei auf diesem Erdenkreis!
Daß wir loben deinen Namen
ewiglich, Amen!

Ach, HERR, wie lang willt du jetzt mein

2011-06-21T22:33:00.005-05:00

Here for the First Sunday after the Feast of Holy Trinity is my translation of the hymn “Ach, HERR, wie lang wiltu ietz mein” (B. Waldis, 1553), a paraphrase of Usquequo Domine (Ps. XIII), the source of the proper Introit for the day, and having the original title, “Gebetpsalm wider schwermütigkeyt des geists, daß Gott trösten vnd helffen wölle” [“supplicatory psalm against spiritual melancholy, beseeching God for comfort and help.”]. The melody is unavailable (unless you have a copy of Waldis’ Psalter Gesangsweise…). I am inclined in lieu of that proper melody to use “Es wollt uns Gott genädig sein,” a well-known melody already associated with the psalter.

AH, LORD! how long wilt Thou persist
Thus wholly to forget me?
How long Thy face conceal in mist,
While many woes beset me?
How long dismay
Bow down each day
My heavy heart and spirit?
Mine enemy
Seeks after me,
How long must I still bear it?
How long shall he stand o’er me?

2. Oh, Lord, behold my misery,
And hear my poor petition,
Incline Thy gracious ear to me,
Look down recognition:
All sorrows chase
That mar my face,
Mine eyes with grace enlighten,
That trouble may
Not have its way
Nor death my body whiten,
Lord, let me live before Thee.

3. Oh, help me, Lord; delay not long,
Nor let me be defeated,
My foes would gloat in all their wrong,
“Our vengeance is completed!”
When vanquished I
In ruin lie,
As if by Thee forsaken,
Then would their pride
Fore’er abide,
And say, I was mistaken,
To trust in such a Savior.

4. And yet my hope is in Thy grace,
O God of my salvation;
My heart rejoices to embrace
Thy word of consolation.
I’ll spread abroad
Thy name, O God,
For all Thy goodness given;
With songs of praise
Thy glories raise,
On earth, and then in heaven
With praise that lasts forever.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Ach, HERR, wie lang wiltu ietz mein
so gar vnd gantz vergessen?
Verbirgst das frölich antlitz dein,
weil mich vnfäl besessen?
Wie lang sol sich
ängsten teglich
mein seel vnd hertz verschmachten?
Wie lang sol doch
der feind mir nach
stellen vnd gar verachten
vnd vber mich erheben?

2. Ach, HERR, schaw doch auff mein elend,
wölst mein gebet erhören,
Dein gnedig ohren zu mir wend,
dein antlitz zu mir keren,
Mein angesicht
laß trawren nicht
vnd halt mein augen offen,
Daß mich die not
nit senck inn todt,
für leyd nit werd entschloffen,
HERR, schaff, daß ich mög leben.

3. Ach, hilff mir, HERR, machs nit zu lang,
daß meine feind nit bochen,
Sprechen ›wie wirt jm ietz so bang!
wir haben vns gerochen.‹
Wann ich ohn sieg
darnider lieg,
als hetstu mein vergessen,
Dann werden sie
jmmer vnd ie
hoffertig vnd vermessen
sprechen, jn sei gelungen.

4. Ich aber hoff auff deine gnad
vnd weyß, du hilffest gerne.
Mein hertz sich des gefrewet hat,
dein trost ist mir nit ferne,
Darumb sol dir
all zeit von mir
so lang ich leb auff erden,
Weil deine güt
wol an mir thut,
dein ehr verbreytet werden
vnd ewig lob gesungen.

Mit Dank wir sollen loben

2011-06-14T10:03:00.006-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Mit Dank wir sollen loben” (Dr. C. Becker, 1602), a loose, Christological paraphrase of Domine Dominus noster (Psalm VIII), which Psalm is found in the Introit for the Feast of Holy Trinity. The proper melody is from H. Schütz (1628), which in later hymnals was eventually replaced by tunes used with “Von Gott will ich nicht lassen.”

NOW PRAISE we with thanksgiving
Lord, Thy majestic name;
The Lord of all the living
In all the earth acclaim!
Lord Christ, Thy kingdom fair
Is filled with songs of splendor
That mouths of children render,
That lips of babes declare.

2. Thy Church thereby Thou buildest
Of all Thy Christians blest,
The works of foes Thou stillest,
Securing peace and rest;
And ever by Thy grace
Good teachers dost provide us;
Thy Word’s bright light doth guide us
The way of faith to trace.

3. How great a grace Thou showest,
O faithful Potentate!
What mercy Thou bestowest
To pity man’s estate,

And save them who were lost!
Thy Son to death was given
To gain them life in heaven—
His precious blood it cost.

4. The Son of Man forsaken
By God the Father was
And then to heaven taken,
And glorious rose for us,
Set on the heavn’ly throne,
He is the Lord and Savior,
The King of Glory ever,
All pow’r is His alone.

5. Yea, unto Him are given
All things to rule and keep,
The bird that soars in heaven,
The fish in ocean deep,
Now His majestic name
We worship with thanksgiving;
The Lord of all the living
in all the earth acclaim!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Mit Dank wir sollen loben
Deins Namens Herrlichkeit,
Dein Herrschaft hoch erhoben,
In allen Landen weit,
In deinem Reich, Herr Christ,
Aus dem Munde der Jungen,
Der Kinder lallend Zungen
Dein Lob bereitet ist.

2. Dadurch baust du die Gmeine
Der lieben Christen dein,
Die rachgierigen Feinde
Mächtiglich treibest ein,
Der Kirchen durch dein Gnad
Sind Lehrer stets bereitet,
Deins Wortes Licht uns leitet
Auf rechtem Glaubenspfad.

3. Wie groß ist deine Gnade,
O du getreuer Herr,
Daß dich der Menschen Schade,
Erbarmet hat so sehr,
Zu helfen ihn’n aus Not,
Dein lieber Sohn mußt sterben,
Das Heil ihn’n zu erwerben,
Kosts ihn sein teures Blut.

4. Ein kleines wurd verlassen
Von Gott des Menschen Sohn,
Darnach gekrönt ohn Maßen
Mit Ehr und Schmuck so schon,
Gesetzt in Gottes Thron,
Wurd er gemacht zum Herren,
Dem Könige der Ehren
Ist alles untertan.

5. Zahm und wild Tier zugleichen,
Auch die Waldvögelein,
Fisch, die im Wasser streichen,
Ihm untergeben sein,
Darum sein Herrlichkeit
Mit Dank wir sollen loben,
Sein Herrschaft hoch erhoben
In allen Landen weit.

Es steh Gott auf, daß seine Feind

2011-06-10T09:21:00.003-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Es steh Gott auf” (C. Becker, d. 1604), a hymnic paraphrase of Exsurgat Deus (Psalm LXVIII) to be sung to the melody “Ein feste Burg,” as specified in the Becker Psalter. Schütz's proper tune (below) is to be preferred.

LET GOD arise, and all His foes
At once be crushed and scattered,
And all who Him with hate oppose,
Flee with their courage shattered.
Drive off every fiend,
As smoke by the wind;
As wax melted flows
When to the fire it goes,
Before God let them perish.

2. The righteous in the Lord rejoice
Joy is their constant story,
Sincerely with both heart and voice
They give their God all glory.
Make way, people dear,
Now the highway clear!
For the Lord draws nigh
Who rides upon the sky,
And we rejoice to greet Him.

3. He is the orphan’s father good,
The widow’s judge, defender
He is God in His high abode,
On children lone and tender
He bestows a home,
Lets the captive roam,
And in season due
All whom He finds untrue,
He sends to death eternal.

4. God, when Thou didst Thy folk precede,
In wilderness to amble,
The pow’r of heaven was shown indeed,
The earth beneath did tremble,
The ground roughly shook,
Thunder crashed and struck,
All were filled with dread
Before Sinaï’s God:
The Lord, the God of Isr’el.

5. Now, Lord, Thou send’st a fruitful rain,
The grace of Thy good Spirit,
And with Thy blessing dost sustain
Faint souls who heav’n inherit,
That we creatures poor
Find a foothold sure,
Rest and peace indeed,
When Thou our souls dost feed,
O God, with all Thy goodness.

6. God’s blessed Word to us is sped
By many learned teachers,
His kingdom and His splendor spread
By th’ Apostles and His preachers.
The Mother at home
Into spoils is come;
The plunder is for all,
And those who heed the call
Are blest with life eternal.

7. When God’s great army takes the field
To spread the reign of heaven,
Fair gifts and glory then they wield,
As bright as snow fresh-driven—
Like pure, yellow gold,—
When His truth is told
By lips of preachers dear,
In words so bright and clear,
And shines among the nations.

8. The Church is God’s exalted hill,
His blessings rich enclose her.
In vain is every pow’r and will
Endeav’ring to oppose her.
For with her God resides,
Trouble flees and hides;
God shall fight for her
And He forsakes her ne’er,
The gates of hell defying.

9. A thousand chariots and yet more
God has by which to travel;
Ascending high, He broke hell’s pow’r
And did its realm unravel.
The bound He reprieved,
And great gifts received
For all men, and turned
Foes who had Him spurned:
Now with His Church He dwelleth.

10. Our God be blest, who every day
Loads us with goodly burdens,
He saves us out of all dismay,
The broken heals and pardons.
A Lord we possess,
Who is glad to bless
with a saving faith,
And rescues us from death.
When then can terrify us?

11. The Lord our God shall crush the head
Of foes who Him resisted,
And o’er their skulls with anger tread,
Who in their sin persisted.
This oath yet He gave:
He some souls would save
In His earthly fold,
Who were by forceful hold
Bound deep in idols’ worship.

12. Thy foot, O Lord, shall reddened be
With blood of foes ill-fated,
The tongues of dogs shall eagerly
Upon their blood be sated.
Glorious shalt Thou go
In Thy triumph-glow.
God, my King, how fair
Thy host that enters there
Into Thy holy dwelling!

13. The singers all precede Thy way
With anthems sweet and pleasant,
And those who strings and timbrel play
Within Thy train are present:
Acclaim God the Lord,
Praise to Him accord,
Thank Him here below
That He might cause to flow
From Isr’el His pure fountain.

14. From Benjamin, a princely one
Of little height God raises,
Of Naphtali and Zebulon
The rulers give Thee praises,
And Judah’s high born
Him with praise adorn,
And yet many_a land
By th’ Apostolic band
The Lord on high exalteth.

15. This, Lord, may Thou preserve pure,
And strengthen us, forever
To keep within Thy church secure
And see Thy works of favor.
Jerusalem’s land
Where Thy dwellings stand,
Defend most graciously,
The city’s Keeper be,
To Thee the kings bring present.

16. The beast among the reeds, O Lord,
Thou shalt reprove with cursing,
Shalt pay the bulls’ and oxen’s horde,
Their wrath on them reversing;
All their villainy
Owes a heavy fee;
Gold is their delight;
O scatter all the might
Of those who always fight Thee.

17. The princes shall from Egypt’s land
Their riches be submitting,
And Ethiopia stretch his hand
To God in worship fitting;
O kingdoms, then sing
Praise to God your King,
Where above the sky
He rides on heaven high,
To sound His voice of thunder.

18. Ascribe to God all strength and worth,
Whose crown o’er Isr’el showeth;
Among the clouds His pow’r shines forth,
The Church His wonder knoweth;
Body, life, and soul
Isr’el’s God keeps whole;
He gives strength and might
To those of His delight
And we forever praise Him.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Es steh Gott auf, daß seine Feind
Plötzlich zerstreuet werden,
und all, die ihm zuwider seind,
Für ihm fliehen auf Erden,
der Gottlos verschwindt
Gleichwie Rauch von Wind,
Mit Feuersgewalt
das Wachs zerschmelzet bald,
Für Gott muß er umkommen.

2. Der Gerechte muß des freuen sich,
Fröhlich allzeit im Herren,
Von Herzengrund ganz inniglich
Singt er seim Namen Ehre,
Macht Bahn, lieben Leut,
Der Weg sei bereit,
Der Herr fährt herein
Und kehrt sanft bei uns ein,
Sein Zukunft uns erfreuet.

3. Er ist der Waisen Vater frumm,
Der Witwen Richter treue,
Er ist Gott in seim Heiligtum,
Die Einsam Gott erfreuet,
Gibt Kinder im Haus,
Führt die Gfangne aus,
Tuts zu rechter Zeit,
Die abtrünnigen Leut
Müssen zu Grund verdorren.

4. Gott, da du für deim Volk herzogst,
Gingst einher in der Wüsten,
Des Himmels Kraft sich sehr bewog,
Die Erd untr deinen Füßen
Bebt und zittert sehr,
Des Donners Stimm schwer
Hat erschrecket sie
Für dem Gott Sinai,
Der Israel Gott heißet.

5. Nu gibst du, Herr, deins Geistes Gnad,
Ein gar fruchtbaren Regen,
Dein Erbe, so ganz schwach und matt,
Erquickest du mit Segen,
Daß wir armen Tier
Stets bleiben für dir,
Finden Ruh und Rast,
Wenn du die Seele labst,
Herr Gott, mit deinen Gütern.

6. Sein liebes Wort gibt Gott der Herr
Mit großer Schar der Lehrer,
Es breiten aus sein Reich und Ehr
Der König ein groß Heere,
Die Mutter im Haus
Den Raub teilet aus,
Die Beut ist gemein,
Alle, die gläubig sein,
Solln ewig selig werden.

7. Wenn Gottes Heer zu Felde zeucht,
Das Himmelreich zu mehren,
Von Gaben schön es herrlich leucht
Und glänzet weit und ferne,
Gleich dem feinen Gold,
Wenn die Lehrer hold
Verkünden die Lahr,
So wird es hell und klar
Und leucht fern in die Lande.

8. Die liebe Kirch, des Herren Berg,
Ist fruchtbar und gediegen,
Vergebens ist all Macht und Stärk,
Die darwider will kriegen,
Bei ihr wohnet Gott,
Drum hat's keine Not,
Er streitet für sie,
Hat sie verlassen nie,
Trotz allen höllschen Pforten.

9. Viel tausend Wagen und noch mehr
Hat Gott, drauf er umfähret,
Er ist gefahren in die Höh,
Als er die Höll zerstöret,
Das Gfängnis er fing
Und Gaben empfing
Für die Menschenkind,
Bekehrt die Feinde geschwind,
Bei seiner Kirch er bleibet.

10. Gelobt sei täglich unser Gott,
Der uns ein Last aufleget,
Hilft uns doch wieder aus der Not
Und heilt, was er zerschläget,
Wir habn einen Herrn,
Der hilft herzlich gern,
Gtreu ist unser Gott,
Errett uns aus dem Tod,
Was wollten wir uns fürchten?

11. Der Herr den Kopf der Feind zerschmeißt,
Die ihm stets widerstreben,
Den Haarschädel herunterreißt
Der, die in Sünden leben,
Doch verspricht der Herr,
Er woll holen her
Und bringen zur Gmein,
Auch die gewaltig sein
Im Götzendienst verteufelt.

12. Dein Fuß, Herr, in der Feinde Blut
Wird sich färben auf Erden,
Wenn du dreinschlägst in deim Unmut,
Die Hund es lecken werden,
Du zeuchst mit großr Ehr
Im Triumph daher,
Mein Gott und König,
Dein Einzug prächtiglich
Zum Heiligtum tust halten.

13. Die Sänger gehen vorne her,
Die schön und lieblich singen,
Darauf der Spielleut großes Heer,
Die lan die Saiten klingen,
Lobt Gott unsern Herrn,
Preist ihn weit und fern,
Ihm dank die Gemein,
Daß er die Brünnlein rein
Aus Israel läßt fließen.

14. Man sieht vom Stamme Benjamin
Ein Fürsten klein erhoben,
Mit ihm die Fürsten Naphthalim
Und Sebulon dich loben,
Vom Stamm Jud' ein Hauf,
Fürsten folgen drauf
Und andre viel mehr,
Durchs apostolisch Heer
Der Herr sein Reich aufrichtet.

15. Das wollst du, Herr, bewahren rein
Und uns darinnen stärken,
Daß wir bleiben in deiner Gmein,
Zu schauen deine Werke,
Um Jerusalem,
Da dein Wohnung stehn,
Nimm dich an in Gnad,
Bewahr die heilig Stadt,
König dir Gschenk zuführen.

16. Das Tier im Rohr wollst du, Herr Gott,
Vertilgen durch dein Schelten,
Der Ochsen und der Kälber Rott
Ihren Frevel vergelte,
Alle Büberei
Um Geld hier ist frei,
Ihr Herz darauf tracht,
Zerstreu der Völker Macht,
Die wider dich stets kriegen.

17. Die Fürsten aus Ägyptenland
Kommen daher von ferne,
Die Mohren strecken ihre Hand
Zu dienen Gott dem Herren,
Drum, ihr Königreich,
Singt alle zugleich,
Denn Gott hoch geehrt
Übrall im Himmel fährt,
Seim Donner Kraft zu geben.

18. Gebt Gott Ehr, der sein Herrlichkeit
In Israel beweiset,
Sein Macht in Wolken ist bereit,
Die Kirch sein Wunder preiset,
Der Gott Israel
Schützet Leib und Seel,
Er gibt Kraft und Stärk
Seim Volk, drum Gottes Werk
Ewig wir sollen loben.

Sancti Spiritus adsit nobis gratia

2011-06-06T14:33:00.010-05:00

Here is my translation of the alternate Sequence for Holy Whitsunday, “Sancti Spiritus adsit nobis gratia,” according to the version found in Lossius’ Psalmodia (1579). Note all the musical lines repeat except 1, 13, and 14.

* For comparison, here is a metrical couplet paraphrase of the original.

MAY THE GRACE of the Holy
Ghost be with us now.

2a. May He our hearts re-fashion
as His own holy dwelling-place.
2b. Expelling from them every
spiritu’l vice and wickedness.

3a. Nourishing Spirit,
all mankind’s Enlightener!
3b. Purge from our senses
all shades of obscurity,

4a. O holy Lover of the prudent,
ever keep us in Thy care;
4b. Pour out Thy gracious unction on us,
with it fill our heart and mind.

5a. Thou Cleanser, who makest pure every
shameful and gross impurity,
5b. O Spirit, now cleanse and purify
of blindess man’s interior eye.

6a. Let our Lord and Creator
Show Himself to us evermore,
6b. Who is visible only
Unto the eye of the pure in heart.

7a. Thou didst inspire the true Prophets
To proclaim the Messiah,
And His Gospel all-glorious.
7b. Thou didst inspire the Apostles
Christ’s own banner to carry
To the earth’s farthest boundaries.

8a. When by His Word of pow'r God created
Heaven, earth, and sea in wondrous symmetry,
8b. Thou o’er the waters, O Spirit, hov’ring,
Scatteredst abroad Thy breath of godliness.

9a. Thou by enriching waters dost quicken
souls of men again.
9b. Thou by Thine exhalation dost render
mankind spiritu’l.

10a. Thou, Lord, hast reunited
men once divided
In their rites and languages.
10b. Calling, O Best of Masters,
Back the idolater
To Thy worship orthodox.

11a. Wherefore, O Holy Spirit,
be Thou propitious ,
and hear us, Thy humble supplicants,
11b. For without Thee our every
prayer is empty
and odious in the ears of God.

12a. Thou, O Spirit, who by th’ embracing impulse
Of Thy breath hast filled with wisdom
The saints of every age in history,
12b. Who this day didst endow Christ’s own Apostles
With a gift unknown and unheard of,
For which the past could find no precedent:

13. Thus didst Thou
Make this day so glorious.

14. May the grace of the Holy

1. Sancti Spiritus adsit
nobis gratia:

2. Qui [< Quae…] corda nostra sibi
faciat habitaculum.
Expulsis inde cunctis
vitiis spiritabilis,

3. Spiritus alme
Illustrator hominum,
Horridas nostrae
mentis purga tenebras,

4. Amator sancte sensatorum,
semper cogitatuum.
Infunde unctionem tuam
clemens nostris sensibus.

5. Tu purificator omnium
flagitiorum Spiritus.
Purifica nostri oculum
interioris hominis.

6. Ut videri supremus
Genitor possit a nobis.
Mundi cordis quem soli
cernere possunt oculi.

7. Prophetas tu inspirasti,
ut praeconia Christi
praecinuissent inclyta.
Apostolos confortasti,
uti trophaeum Christi
per totum mundum veherent.

8. Quando machinam per verbum suum
fecit Deus coeli, terrae, marium.
Tu super aquas foturus eas,
numen tuum expandisti Spiritus.

9. Tu animabus vivificandis
aquas foecundas.
Tu aspirando das spiritales
esse homines.

10. Tu divisum per linguas
mundum et ritus
adunisti [= adunasti…] , Domine.
Idolatras ad cultum
Dei revocas
Magistrorum optime.

11. Ergo nos supplicantes
tibi exaudi propitius sancte Spiritus.
Sine quo preces omnes
cassae creduntur
et indignae Dei auribus.

12. Tu qui omnium saeculorum sanctos,
Tui numinis, docuisti
instinctu amplectendo, Spiritus.
Ipse hodie Apostolos Christi
donans munere insolito
et cunctis inaudito seculis.

13. Hunc diem
gloriosum fecisti.

14. Sancti Spiritus adsit
nobis gratia.

Quando Christus ascenderat

2011-06-02T13:23:00.007-05:00

Here is my translation of the Benedicamus hymn for Ascension: "Quando Christus ascenderat," as corrected by M. Herman Bonnus and included in Lossius "Psalmodia." While still a hymn of the Ascension, it links the Ascension and Session to Pentecost more explicitly than other hymns that focus on the Ascension itself. The text is based on the late medieval pia cantio of the same name, and uses the same melody. Here is the Pia Cantiones version of the melody.

The last line in the original is sung thus (note the length of 4th note):

WHEN Christ ascended into heav’n,
To sit upon the Father’s right,
Then, as He promised, man was giv’n
The Holy Ghost from realms of light,
A sound was heard like rushing wind,
And tongues of fire were burning bright.

2. His sudden coming there discerned,
Then none from blessed fear was spared,
A Comforter upon them burned,
And pow’r to all th’ Apostles shared,
Who then in myriad tongues unlearned
The mighty acts of God declared.

3. The sterile Church He fertile made
With fruitful gifts of many a kind,
Their conscience He with grace allayed,
Consoled their heart, illumed their mind,
From Satan’s wiles their life he stayed,
From evil saved, from world so blind.

4. Now to the Spirit’s Father high
In heaven let our pray’r ascend
That in the faith of Christ His Son
He keep us ever without end.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Bless we the Lord, bless we the Lord.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

LATIN

1. Quando Christus ascenderat,
sedens ad Patris dexteram,
quem antea promiserat,
e coelo mittit Spiritum,
auditur tanquam sonitus,
linguae videntur igneae. [< linguis loquuntur omnium]

2. Hic subito adveniens,
Metum incussit omnibus,
Et consolator pavidos
Apostolorum animos,
Qui statim linguis variis
Docent Dei magnalia.

3. Foecundat hic Ecclesiam
Diversis donis sterilem,
consolatur, illuminat,
et servat conscientias,
Adversus mundum, Satanam,
Et dirae moris impetum.

4. Patrem oramus igitur
Coelestem, sanctus Spiritus,
Ut nos in fide Filii
Pura semper retineat,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Benedicamus Domino.

Der Herr ist mein Licht und mein Heil

2011-05-31T23:11:00.010-05:00

Here is my translation of the hymn “Der Herr ist mein Licht und mein Heil,” an anonymous paraphrase of Psalm XXVII, Dominus lux mea, which I found in 766 Geistliche Psalmen, p. 176. The melody is “An Wasserflüssen Babylon…” or “Der Thöricht spricht…”

THE LORD my God, He is my light,
He is my true salvation.
Whom should I fear? His life and might
Are now my own possession.
Though wicked foes with fearsome pow’r
Should seek me wholly to devour,
They all shall fail and stumble.
And though a host were set to fight,
My heart shall never take affright,
Though much they rage and grumble.

2. And though against me war arose,
In God my trust is grounded.
One thing of all I will propose,
And seek with pray’r unbounded:
That in His house I may remain,
To view the beauty of His train,
His temple all excelling.
He gave me shelter, cover, dress,
And in the time of my distress,
He hid me in His dwelling.

3. Upon a rock He lifted me,
My head on high exalted
Above my every enemy,
And I was not assaulted.
Within His dwelling I will raise
A humble sacrifice of praise,
And worship Him with singing.
Lord, hear my voice, to Thee I cry,
Have mercy on me, hear the sigh
That now my heart is bringing.

4. Thy face, Lord, truly will I seek,
Oh, turn it not nor hide it.
Put not away Thy servant weak,
Thou art my help: provide it.
Leave not, nor lift Thy hand from me,
O God of my salvation free!
When I have been forsaken
By father, mother, and all men,
The Lord will yet my soul sustain,
Till to His streets I’m taken.

5. Thy way, Lord, teach me and advise,
Nor grant my foe his pleasure;
False witnesses against me rise,
Deceiving without measure,
The Lord’s own good I yet shall see,
When I inhabit blessedly
The land of life forever.
Wait on the Lord, be of good cheer,
And let thy heart be strong and sure,
Wait on the Lord thy Savior.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

1. Der Herr ist mein Liecht und mein Heil
von wem sollt ich erschrecken?
Der Herr ist meines Lebenstheil,
das soll männiglich merken,
dann so die böse Feinde mein,
mein Fleisch zu fressen wölln herein,
müssen sie niederfallen,
ob sich wider mich legt ein Heer,
soll sich mein Herz nicht fürchten mehr,
wie sehr und fast sie brüllen.

2. Ob sich Streit erhüb wider mich,
will ich mich auf Gott lassen
eins vom Herren will bitten ich
und fodern ohn Ablassen,
daß ich bleib in deß Herren Haus,
zu schauen sein Lust überaus,
seim Tempel nachzufragen,
denn er hat mich verdeckt, verkleidt,
in seiner Hüttn zur bösen Zeit,
er verbirgt mich aus Gnaden.

3. Und erhöht mich auf ein Fels zmal,
und wird auch nun erheben,
mein Haupt über mein Feinde all,
die um mich sind gelegen,
so will ich in seinr Hütten zwar,
das Lobopfer geben fürwahr,
und dem Herren lobsagen,
Herr hör mein Stimm kläglich ruf ich,
bis mir gnädig und erhör mich,
mein Herz thut dir das klagen.

4. Ich will suchen dein Antlitz Herr,
dasselb von mir nicht wende,
deinen Knecht nicht verstoß so ferr,
du bist mein Hülf behende,
laß mich nicht und thu nicht von mir
die Hand ab, Gott, meins Heils und Zier,
wann mich haben verlassen
Mein Vater und mein Mutter gar,
aber der Herr hat mich fürwahr,
aufgnommen in sein Strassen.

5. Herr zeig mir deine Weg und Bahn,
gib mich nicht meinr Feind willen
Dann es thun wider mich aufstahn,
falsche Zeugen und Brüllen,
ich glaube je, daß ich sehn werd,
das gut des HErrn, das ich begehrt
im Land des Lebens wohnen
Harr des Herren und sei getrost
und laß dein Herz sein stark und fest,
und harr des Herren. Amen.

HYMNOGLYPT

Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut

Was uns etwan die heilgen Propheten

Das alte Jahr vergangen ist* Original Tune

Warum sollen dich so schmerzen* (Alt.)

Sankt Stephanus voll Glaubens war

O Vater der Barmherzigkeit (Kyrie for Christmastide)

O Freude über Freud

O freu dich, Jerusalem

Nun laßt uns zu dieser Frist

Helft mir Advent jetzt feiren

Andreä Tag wir haben heut

Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah* (Kelly’s translation, updated)

Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator

Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich

Herr, der du vormals große Gnad

Singen wir aus Herzensgrund

Jucundare plebs fidelis*

Ach liebe(n) Christen, seid getrost* (Revised)

Dicimus grates tibi

Be the Cross our Theme and Story

Christe sanctorum decus (corr. H. Bonnus)

Nimm von uns, Herr (Repost)

An Wasserflüssen Babylon (Repost)

** Memorizing Hymns **

Psallite Regi nostro (Latin only, for now)

Hör mein Gebet, O Herr und Gott

Wir glauben an Gott den Vater

Gelobet sei der Herr, der Gott

Gebenedeit sei Gott der Herr

Gelobt sei Gott mit Freuden

Gelobet sei Israels Gott (Rev.)

Agone triumphali militum

Exultet vera Ecclesia

Herr Christ, mein Hort, wenn ich zu dir

Ich will von Herzen danken Gott dem Herren

Mein Licht und Heil ist Gott der Herr

An allen Menschen gar verzagt

Nach dir, O Herr, verlanget mich (mein Gott auf den…)

I love Thee Lord, Thy name I bless

Aeterne gratias tibi dicamus omnes Conditor

Ich lieb dich, Herr, von Herzen sehr

Aeterno gratias Patri

Benedicta semper sancta sit Trinitas

Ach, HERR, wie lang willt du jetzt mein

Mit Dank wir sollen loben

Es steh Gott auf, daß seine Feind

Sancti Spiritus adsit nobis gratia

Quando Christus ascenderat

Der Herr ist mein Licht und mein Heil

Memorizing Hymns