Es ist vollbracht! Vergiß ja nicht (supplement)

Here is my supplemental translation and composite rendering of the translations of Russell and Mueller, of the Passion hymn, “Es ist vollbracht! Vergiß ja nicht” (Johann Eusebius Schmidt, d. 1745), first appearing in Freylinghausen 1714, attested by the author himself (Wetzel, Hymnop. III, p. 83), to whom the proper melody is also ascribed. The translation by A. T. Russell of stanzas 1–3 and 5 is according to this original meter. The translation of Mueller for Selah Song-Book of stanzas 1–4 is in 88.88.88 (Vater unser) and therefore unusable. Yet his preference for the scriptural (KJV) wording to begin each stanza seems better than Russell’s “All is fulfilled,” so I have normalized this across all stanzas,

 

’TIS finished! Now my heart, record
The dying words of thy dear Lord.
When He those bitter pains sustainèd,
Which on the cross thy life obtainèd,
He who did all things well then bowed His head,
Exclaiming: "It is finishèd."

2 ’Tis finished! For the cross hath wrought
Whate’er the Law and prophets taught.
Where all the strength of nature failèd,
There Jesus’ wounds for all availèd.
What God before the worlds had counselèd,
Now through His death is finishèd.

3 ’Tis finished! All is satisfied:
The Father lays His wrath aside;
Our peace is made, and justice stillèd,
Since God’s own Son hath all fulfillèd.
What then shall wake the heart to anxious dread?
Believe now: "It is finishèd."

4 ’Tis finished! What then shall I do?
What, Jesus, shall I add thereto?
Oh, nothing! Thanks but to Thy merit;
Thy righteous work I now inherit.
What day and night I do, by Spirit sped,
That too by Thee is finishèd!

5 ’Tis finished! I am now made free
Possessed of true felicity:
Now Jesus sin and death subdueth,
And us with life and grace reneweth;
So when to dissolution worlds are led,
This stays us: “It is finishèd."

6 ’Tis finished! Now my heart, record
The dying words of thy dear Lord,
And let it ever serve and aid thee,
To finish what shall best become thee.
For all thy days be this rememberèd,
That Christ saith: “It is finishèd.”

Tr. 1–3, 5, A. T. Russell.
St. 4, 6b translation © 2024 M. Carver.


MUELLER

’Tis finished! So the Savior cried,
As on the cross for me He died;
It was a shout of victory,
That set a world in bondage free;
O hear, my soul: Salvation’s won!
’Tis finished! Jesus’ work is done.

2 ’Tis finished! What a word of joy!
The law’s demandsa are finished now.
The debt is canceled, I am free,
For Christ has paid the penalty.
O hear, my soul: Salvation’s won!
’Tis finished! Jesus’ work is done.

3 ’Tis finished! O ye sinners, hear!
Come, cast aside your doubt and fear.
Sin is atoned, God’s wrath is stilled,
For Jesus’ precious blood is spilled.
O hear it all: Salvation’s won!
’Tis finished! Jesus’ work is done.

4 ’Tis finished! Not one work remains!
Free grace abounds, and mercy reigns.
Christ’s merits are my righteousness,
My strength and comfort and my dress.
O hear it all: Salvation’s won
’Tis finished! Jesus’ work is done.

RUSSELL

All is fulfilled—my heart, record
The dying words of thy dear Lord.
When He those bitter pains sustainèd,
Which on the cross thy life obtainèd,
He who did all things well,
Then bowed His head,
Exclaiming, "It is finishèd."

2 All is fulfilled—the cross hath wrought
Whate’er the Law and prophets taught.
Where all the strength of nature failèd,
There Jesu’s wounds for all availèd.
That which before the worlds
Heav’n counselèd,
Now through His death is finishèd.

3 All is fulfilled—all satisfied:
The Father lays His wrath aside;
Our peace is made, and justice stillèd,
Since God’s own Son hath all fulfillèd.
What then shall wake the heart
To anxious dread?
Believe now, "It is finishèd."

5 All is fulfilled—I am made free
Possessed of true felicity:
Now Jesus sin and death subdueth,
And us with life and grace reneweth;
So when to dissolution
Worlds are led,
This stays us—"It is finishèd."

GERMAN

1 Es ist vollbracht! Vergiß ja nicht
dies Wort, mein Herz, das Jesus spricht,
da er am Kreuze für dich stirbet
und dir die Seligkeit erwirbet,
da er, der alles, alles wohlgemacht,
nunmehro spricht: es ist vollbracht.

2 Es ist vollbracht am Kreuze dort
Gesetz und der Propheten Wort:
was wir niemals vollbringen konnten,
ist nun vollbracht durch Jesu Wunden:
was Gottes Rath von Ewigkeit bedacht,
das ist durch seinen Tod vollbracht.

3 Es ist vollbracht und gnug gethan,
daß man nicht mehr verlangen kann,
Gott ist versöhnt und ganz gestillet,
weil sein Sohn alles hat erfüllet,
was ist, das man sich Angst und Sorge macht,
man glaube nur: Es ist vollbracht.

4 Es ist vollbracht! Was soll ich nun
darzu noch, o mein Jesu, thun?
Nichts, nichts! Denn was von dir geschehen,
wird schon als mein Werk angesehen,
und das, was dich vollbringe Tag und Nacht,
wird von dir selbst in mir vollbracht.

5 Es ist vollbracht, ich bin befreit,
ich habe schon die Seligkeit;
weil Sünd und Tod sind weggenommen,
ist Gnad und Leben wiederkommen;
darum, wenn auch gleich alles bricht und kracht,
sag ich getrost: Es ist vollbracht.

6 Es ist vollbracht! Vergiß ja nicht
dies Wort, mein Herz, das Jesus spricht,
und laß es dir auch darzu dienen,
daß du vollbringst, was dir will ziemen.
So lang du lebst, laß dies nicht aus der Acht,
daß Jesus spricht: Es ist vollbracht!

Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!

Here is my alteration of translations of the Passion hymn, “Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!” (Benjamin Schmolck, d. 1737), in ELGB #119, originally in Schmolck’s Heilige Flammen (1704) with title “Ecce homo!” based on John 19:5. A translation by John Kelly from the British Messenger (1868) was sought unsuccessfully. I include the bases of my composite: Anna B. Warner’s rendering, fuller and more faithful; and J. T. Mueller’s, appearing in Sela Gesangbuch, on which the first stanza is based. To bring the text more in line with the sense of the German, not to mention the rhyme-scheme and meter, a great deal of alteration was sometimes necessary, so that it almost passes “alteration” to being a new translation “based on” the old. The appointed melody is “O Gott, du frommer Gott.”

 

SEE what a Man is this!
Ye wicked, come and wonder!
If Christ must suffer so,
Your own dread wages ponder.
Ye sinners, now behold!
The Holy One must die;
Ye sons of hell, then weep!
The Son of God doth cry.

2 See what a Man is this!
O eyes with teardrops thronging!
O face reviled and scorned,
O lips all full of longing!
O head with death-drops wet,
O cheeks with spittle spread,
O heart, so full of blood!
O limbs, distressed and dead!

3 See what a Man is this!
How wounded and afflicted!
Ye sinners, is it not
Your bonds that Him constricted?
Are not your passions vile
The thorns which He must bear?
Is’t not your wickedness
That nailed His body there?

4 See what a Man is this!
Your tears in torrents offer:
It is your guilt that makes
Christ’s heart to bleed and suffer;
Oh, pass not by this scene,
These pains which Him aggrieve,
But through His open side
Your Jesus’ heart perceive.

5 See, what a Man is this!
Ah, yes, we would see ever
What men have done to Thee,
O Friend of men, and Savior!
So long as eyes avail,
So long that agony
Which Thou for us hast borne
Shall still remembered be.

6 See, what a Man is this!
Let us Thy vision borrow;
Behold us in Thy grace
When we are bathed in sorrow;
So let Thy dying eyes
Our soul transfix and mend,
And let Thy streaming blood
Our lives with God defend.
 
7 See, what a Man is this!
Our eyes on Thee abiding,
Within Thy wounds we build
Our hope and our confiding.
Now as Thy head is bowed,
We die, O Lord, with Thee,
And when our eyes shall close,
We live eternally.

Translation st. 1. J. T. Mueller, alt.; sts. 2-7, Anna B. Warner, alt.
Alterations © 2023 Matthew Carver.

ANNA B. WARNER

2 SEE, what a man is this!
O glances full of woe,
O face dishonoured, scorned,
O lips that long to go,
O head with death-drops wet,
O heart so patient yet,
O soul with death-pains filled,
O love by grief not killed!

3 See, what a man is this!
Ah, see each open wound!
O sinners, have not ye
The Holy One thus bound?
Make not your lusts each thorn
With which His brow is torn?
Did not your sins betray,
And on the cross thus slay?

4 See, what a man is this!
Let tears come like a flood:
It is our guilt that drew
Those drops of precious blood;
Pass not by here in vain,
Where pain is over pain;
But through His rent side see
How Christ's heart beats for thee,

5 See, what a Man is this!
Ah, yes, we want to know,
Thou gracious Friend of men,
How far Thy love could go.
So long as eyes can see,
We will remember Thee;
The pain, the grief, the scorn,
Which Thou for us hast borne.

6 See, what a Man is this!
Oh look on us in grace!
When full of bitter tears
We fall before Thy face,
Then let those dying eyes
Answer our deep heart-cries,
And Thine atoning blood
Speak for us unto God.
 
7 See, what a Man is this!
We look to Thee to-day,
And our whole confidence
Upon Thy suffering lay.
Thy bended head we see,
And die, our Lord, with Thee.
So shall we ever live
The life Thy death doth give!

J. T. MUELLER (1921)

Behold the Man of woe!
Ye sinners come and wonder!
If Christ must suffer so,
Your own dread wages ponder.
Behold the Son of God!
O hear His anguished cries!
He groans beneath the rod!
Of dreadful wrath and dies.

3 Behold the Man of woe,
His wounds and His affliction!
Your sins He bears. And O,
Yours is His crucifixion.
Ye scourged Him with the rod!
Ye caused His bitter woes!
Ye nailed the Son of God
Upon the painful cross.

4 Behold the Man of woe,
Behold His death and passion!
Kneel penitent and so
Of all sins make confession.
Say, O my dearest Lord,
Thy blood shall make me whole;
I trust Thy gracious Word,
I hide in Thee my soul.

5–7? Behold the Man of woe,
His love, His grace, His favor!
Thy sin and all its woe
He bore away forever.
If conscience trouble thee,
Christ died for thee, the Just:
So go to Calvary,
And in His passion trust.

GERMAN

Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!
ihr Menschen kommt zusammen;
ihr Ungerechten, seht
die Unschuld hier verdammen.
Ihr Sünder, merket auf,
hier leidt die Heiligkeit;
ihr Höllenkinder weint,
der Sohn des Höchsten schreit.

2 Seht, welch ein mensch ist das!
O Blicke voller Thränen!
O Antlitz voller Schmach!
O Lippen voller Sehnen!
O Haupt voll Todesschweiß!
O Backen voller Koth!
O Herze voller Blut!
O Leib voll Not und Tod!

3 Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!
ach seht in seine Wunden!
Habt ihr, ihr Sünder, nicht
den Heiligen gebunden?
Sind eure Lüste nicht
die Dornen, die Er trägt?
Ists eure Bosheit nicht,
die Ihn ans Creuze schlägt?

4 Seht, welch eine Mensch ist das!
Ach opfert Thränenfluthen!
denn eure Blutschuld macht
das Herze Jesu bluten:
Geht nicht vorüber hier,
wo Schmerzen über Schmerz;
sehr durch die offne Brust
in eueres Jesu Herz.

5 Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!
Ach ja, wir wollen sehen,
was Dir Du Menschenfreund,
durch Menschen ist geschehen.
So lang ein Auge blickt,
so lange soll die Pein,
die Du für uns erträgst,
auch unvergessen sein.

6 Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!
Ach! sieh uns auch in Gnaden,
wenn wir aus voller Brust,
in Jammerthränen baden;
so laß den Blick vom Kreuz
in unsre Seele gehn,
und Dein vergossnes Blut
für uns ins Mittel stehn.

7 Seht, welch ein Mensch ist das!
so werden wir Dich schauen,
und unsern ganzen Trost
in Deine Wunden bauen.
Wenn sich Dein Haupt nun neigt,
so sterben wir mit Dir;
wenn unser Auge bricht,
so leben wir dafür.

Halleluja! schöner Morgen

Here is my composite of the translations for the Sunday Morning hymn “Halleluja! schöner Morgen” (Jonathan Krause, d. 1762), from Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #327, originally in the author’s Gnade und Wahrheit Gottes (1739). Stier highly praises the hymn as one of the best for the beginning of the service. In most common usage is Borthwick’s cento of 4 stanzas, usually, without rhymes in the first and third lines. I present here my composite of Manington and Massie (both use rhymes or near-rhymes in the first and third lines) and include the original renderings below as well. The appointed melody is “Gott des Himmels und der Erden.”

 

 

HAllelujah! fairest morning,
Fairer far than man can say;
Sorrows flee when thou art dawning,
For thou art a welcome day,
Sent the inmost soul to bless
With thy matchless loveliness!

2 Sweetest rest-day for the weary,
Sunday, full of endless light,
Brilliant day in shadows dreary,
Stream with blessings ever bright.
Hours of all eternal gain,
Chasing all my grief and pain:

3 Ah, I savor there th’ excelling
Grace of God, like early dew,
Beck’ning from my earthly dwelling
To the Father’s pastures true,
Where in verity ’tis told:
“Morning hours have lips of gold.”

4 Rest, my earthly toils enslaving!
This day has a task more blest!
All thy needful strength I’m craving,
That my soul in God may rest;
This day brings no work for me,
But for God I’ll toiling be.

5 What fair dress shall beautify me,
That I may God’s praise declare?
Jesus will the robe supply me—
This I to His honor wear;
Jesus’ blood and righteousness
Are the fairest Sunday dress.

6 I, today, in Zion’s stillness,
Will my every hour employ;
For from thence I reap the fulness
Heav’nly pastures can supply,
When Christ feeds this soul of mine
With the Word of life divine.

7 Lord, awaken all sensation,
And prepare Thyself my heart,
Teach me and give consolation,
To Thy manna zest impart,
Let the sounding of Thy Word
Deep within my heart be heard.

8 Bless Thy servants’ faithful preaching,
Touch their lips with fire: embrace
All who listen to their teaching
In Thy Covenant of Grace,
That, whene’er we pray and sing,
To Thy heart the sound shall ring.

 9 Let this Sunday, when ’tis ending,
See the peace it woke, I pray;
Bless and plant, through grace descending,
Lord God of the Sabbath day!
Till in days to come I see
Sabbath hours eternally.

Composite © 2022 Matthew Carver. 

 

Borthwick 1858 etc, omitting st. 5, 7, 8:

ALLELUIA, fairest morning,
Fairer than our words can say!
Down we lay the heavy burden
Of life’s toil and care today,
While this morn of joy and love
Brings fresh vigor from above.

2 Sunday full of holy glory,
Sweetest rest-day of the soul!
Light upon a world of darkness
From thy blessèd moments roll!
Holy, happy, heav’nly day,
Thou canst charm our grief away.

3 Now, I taste my Father’s goodness,
Falling like the morning dew,
While of pastures even fairer
I would take a distant view; 
Where my Shepherd’s flock I see, 
Where my dwelling soon shall be! 

4 Oh, be silent, earthly turmoil!
I have work more sweet and blest,
And each thought would gather homeward
On this happy day of rest:
Thus with clearer faith to see
All my Lord has done for me.

6 In the gladness of His worship
I will seek my joy today; 
It is then I learn the fulness
Of the grace for which I pray,
When the word of life is giv’n,
Like the Savior’s voice from Heav’n.

9 Let the day’s sweet hours be ended
Pray’rfully, as they’ve begun,
And Thy blessing, Lord, be granted,
Till earth’s days and weeks are done;
That at last Thy servant may
Keep eternal Sabbath day.

Massie, Day of Rest (1876), p. 35, omitting st. 3, 6

HAllelujah! day of gladness
Sweeter far than words can say,
Not a thought of care and sadness
Can disturb my breast this day;
For it fills my soul with bliss
By its matchless loveliness.

2 Refuge of the sad and weary,
Balm for every wounded breast,
Light in places dark and dreary,
Day which God Himself hath blest,
Sabbath hours! whose cheerful ray
Drives all sorrow far away.

4 Hush all sounds of noisy pleasure,
Cease from toil, ye busy hands;
On this day your strength and leisure
For Himself the Lord demands:
God’s own work alone can be
Fitting on this day for me.

5 What, my God, is the adorning
Which Thou dost from me require?
Pride may deck herself this morning
With bright gems and gay attire:
Lord, adorn me with the dress
Of Thy spotless righteousness!

7 Waken every holy feeling,
Penetrate mine inmost part,
Holy Spirit, come with healing,
Open Thou Thyself, my heart,
That the Word of Life may find
Ready access to my mind.

8 Bless Thy servants’ faithful preaching,
Touch their lips with fire: embrace
All who listen to their teaching
In Thy Covenant of Grace;
Let us when we sing and pray,
From the heart an Amen say!

9 Grant that as we have begun it,
We may also end the day;
Bless Thy Word, and shed upon it
Plenteous grace, that so we may,
Lord, with Thee, when life shall end,
An eternal Sabbath spend.

Alice Manington, Footprints of the Holy Dead, p. 140ff. (omits st. 8).

HAllelujah! beauteous morning,
Brighter than man dare to say;
Sorrows flee when thou art dawning,
For thou art a holy day,
Sent the inmost soul to bless
With thy meed of loveliness!

2 Sweetest rest-day for the weary,
Sunday, full of endless light,
Piercing gloom with rays so cheery,
Stream with blessings ever bright.
Hours of all eternal gain,
Chasing every grief and pain:

3 Of God’s ceaseless goodness telling,
Falling like the early dew,
Beck’ning from my earthly dwelling
To the Father’s pastures true.
Where, in verity, ’tis told:
“Morning hours have lips of gold.”

4 Rest, today, my toil enslaving,
For I’ve other work in store;
All thy needful strength I’m craving,
That my soul on high may soar!
This day brings no work for me,
But for God I’ll toiling be.

5 What dress shall I wrap around me,
That I may God’s praise declare?
Jesus Christ a Robe has found me—
This I to His honor wear;
Jesus’ blood and righteousness
Is my all enduring dress.

6 I, today, in Zion’s stillness,
Will my every hour employ;
For from thence I reap the fulness
Heav’nly pastures can supply,
When Christ feeds this soul of mine
With the bread of life divine.

7 God, arouse my thoughts within me,
Bare to truth my heaving breast;
Let Thy Word sweet comfort bring me,
Give unto Thy manna zest,
That Thy Word, each living sound,
May within my heart rebound.

9 Let this Sunday, when ’tis ending,
See the peace it woke, I pray;
Bless and plant, through grace descending,
Lord God of the Sabbath day!
Till in days to come I see
Sabbath hours eternally.

GERMAN

Hallelujah, schöner Morgen!
schöner als man denken mag:
heute fühl ich keine Sorgen;
denn das ist ein lieber Tag,
der durch seine Lieblichkeit
recht das Innerste erfreut.

2 Süßer Ruhetag der Seelen,
Sonntag, der voll Lichtes ist,
heller Tag in dunkeln Höhlen!
Zeit in der der Segen fließt!
Stunde voller Seligkeit:
du vertreibst mir alles Leid.

3 Ach, wie schmeck ich Gottes Güte
recht als einen Morgenthau;
die mich führt aus meiner Hütte
zu des Vaters grüner Au:
da hat wohl die Morgenstund
edlen Schatz und Gold im Mund.

4 Ruht mir, meine Weltgeschäfte!
Heute hab ich sonst zu thun;
denn ich brauche alle Kräfte,
in dem höchsten Gott zu ruhn;
Heut schickt keine Arbeit sich,
als nur Gotteswerk, für mich.

5 Wie soll ich mich heute schmücken,
daß ich Gott gefallen mag?
Jesus wird die Kleider schicken,
die ich ihm zu Ehren trag.
Sein Blut und Gerechtigkeit ist
da schönste Sonntagskleid.

6 Ich will in der Zionsstille
heute voller Arbeit sein;
denn da sammle ich die Fülle
vonden höchsten Schätzen ein,
wenn mein Jesus meinen Geist
mit dem Wort des Lebens speist.

7 Herr, ermuntre meine Sinnen
und bereite selbst die Brust;
laß mich Lehr und Trost gewinnen,
gieb zu deinem Manna Lust,
daß mir deines Wortes Hall
recht tief in mein Herze fall.

8 Segne deiner Knechte Lehren,
öffne selber ihren Mund,
Mach mit Allen, die dich hören,
heute deinen Gnadenbund,
daß wenn man hier bet’t und singt,
solches in dein Herze dringt.

9 Gieb, daß ich den Tag beschließe,
wie er angefangen ist.
Segne, pflanze und begieße,
der du Herr des Sabbaths bist;
bis ich einst auf jenen Tag
ewig Sabbath halten mag.

Ach, mein Herr Jesu, dein Nahesein

 Here is my supplement, composite, and correction of a few partial and heterometrical translations of the Prayer hymn “Ach, mein Herr Jesu, dein Nahesein” (Christian Gregor, d. 1801), a Moravian hymn with a decided pietistic flavor, found in Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #233, originally appearing in the Brethren hymnal of 1778. Fischer says: “The tenth stanza, of specifically Moravian content, was omitted in our [Lutheran] hymnals.” He also notes that the original text was set to a newer form of Luther’s “Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist” which had been put into treble time. A nine-stanza translation, but with iambic endings in the 3rd and 4th line, set to a 4/4 version of the melody, is found in the Moravian Liturgy and the Offices (1908), p. 303f., in a translation by Edward Reynolds, which also omits the 10th stanza. In my composite, drawing on Reynolds predominantly, but also Winkworth and the older Moravian translation, as well as this one, I have sought to conform everything to the meter of Luther’s original (9.9.11.10.4) with the final line trochaic rather than iambic, so that it may be sung with the form familiar, e.g., from The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), which differs slightly from that of Layriz (below).

THY nearness, Lord Jesus, doth impart
Mighty peace unto the longing heart,
And Thy gracious smile us with blessing filleth,
Soul and body with sweet pleasure thrilleth,
That we thank Thee.

2 Not yet do we see Thy friendly face,
Nor with eyes behold its love and grace,
But within our soul we can surely feel Thee,
For to sense Thou canst clearly reveal Thee,
Though we see not!

3 Were we but all minded day and night
To enjoy Thee, O what high delight
Would both soul and body taste in Thy favor!
And would have to ask of Thee, Dear Savior,
“Who is like Thee?”

4 Kind, patient, and merciful to be,
Sin forgiving daily, bounteously,
To heal, cheer, and comfort, and show’r Thy blessing
On us, tenderly Thy love expressing
Is Thy pleasure.

5 For Thy salvation, Lord, hear our pray’r,
Daily give us an abundant share;
May our souls and senses without cessation,
Prompted by love and for consolation,
Look to Thee, Lord.

6 In sorr’wing hours comfort us at once
With Thy blood-strewn dying countenance,
Yea, forever let the Cross stand before us,
And in constant view keep Thy true, glorious
Life within us.

7 A heartfelt life and a childlike mind
Lord, at all times may’st Thou in us find!
And from Thy wounds may we receive the powèr
Through life’s weal and woe in every hou-r
To embrace Thee.

8 So shall we all, till Thy heav’n we see,
Evermore like children joy in Thee,
Though, while here we tarry, we’re often grievèd,
May we turn to Thee and be relievèd
In all sorrows.

9 Thou reachest down Thy nail-piercèd hand,
And before Thy cross ashamed we stand,
All Thy faithful suff’rings for us recalling,
Till our tears as torrents are falling
In thanksgiving.

10 The tender kiss of Thy lips so pale,
Gives our heart a wound that ne’er shall fail,
And the crimson show’r of Thy lifeblood flowing,
Makes the soul and body, sense and knowing
Thine resemble.

Composite (stanzas 1–9) © 2022 Matthew Carver.
Translation (stanza 10) © 2022 Matthew Carver.

REYNOLDS

Jesus, my Lord, Thy nearness doth impart
Sweet peace and gladness to the longing heart,
Thy gracious smile infuse a joyous thrill,
And soul and body with sweet pleasure fill,
And thankfulness.

2 We see not with our eyes Thy friendly face,
So full of kindness love and gentle grace;
But in our hearts we know that Thou art here,
For Thou canst make us feel Thy presence near,
Although unseen.

3 Whoever makes it life’s chief aim and end
To have his happiness on Thee depend,
In him a well of joy forever springs,
And all day long his heart is glad, and sings,
“Who is like Thee.”

4 To meet us ever with a friendly face,
In mercy, patience, and the kindest grace,
Daily Thy rich forgiveness to bestow
To comfort, heal, in peace to bid us go,
Is Thy delight.

5 Lord, for Thy rich salvation, hear our prayer,
And daily give us an abounding share,
And let our souls in all their poverty,
From deepfelt love be looking unto Thee
Till life’s last end.

6 In sorr’wing hours may our o’erflowing eyes
For comfort look to Thy dear Sacrifice;
And, with Thy Cross before us, may we find
Thy genuine image, stamped upon our mind
In constant view!

7 Lord, at all times may’st Thou within us find
A loving spirit and a childlike mind;
And from Thy wounds may we receive the power
Through all life’s weal and woe in every hour
To cling to Thee.

8 Thus, till the heav’ns receive us, shall we be
Like children, finding all our joys in Thee;
And though the tears of sorrow oft must fall,
Yet if Thou to our hearts art All in all,
Sweet peace will come.

9 Thy wounded hands, dear Savior, as a Friend,
Thou dost to us in faithfulness extend;
At the sad sight our tears of grief must flow,
And conscious shame come o’er us as we go,
With thankful praise.

WINKWORTH (omits 4, 10)

Oh dearest Lord! to feel that Thou art near
Brings deepest peace, and hushes every fear;
To see Thy smile, to hear Thy gracious voice,
Makes soul and body inwardly rejoice
With praise and thanks.

2 We cannot see as yet Thy glorious face,
Not yet our eyes behold its love and grace,
But Thee our inmost soul can surely feel,
Oh clearly, Lord, canst Thou Thyself reveal,
Though all unseen!

3 Oh well for him who ever day and night
Still only seeks to feed on Thee aright!
In him a well of joy for ever springs,
And, all day long his heart is glad and sings:
Who is like Thee?

5 For Thou dost love to meet us as a Friend,
Our comfort, healing, hope, and joy to send;
Patient to pity and to calm our woe,
And daily to forgive us all we owe,
Of Thy rich grace.

6 Or though we weep soon bid our tears to cease,
And make us feel how strong Thy love and peace;
And let the soul see Thee within, and learn
From need and love alike to Thee to turn
With ceaseless gaze.

7 A warm and loving heart, a childlike mind,
Through every change mayst Thou within us find;
The comfort of Thy holy sorrows keep
Our hearts at rest, in peace most calm and deep,
In joy or woe!

8 So shall we all, until Thy heaven we see,
Like children evermore be glad in Thee,
Though many a time the sudden tear may start,--
If only Thou wilt touch the throbbing heart
And still its pain!

9 Thou reachest down to us Thy wounded hand,
And at Thy cross, dear Lord, ashamed we stand,
Remembering all Thy truth through weal and woe,
Until our eyes with tears must overflow
Of thanks and praise.

GERMAN

Ach, mein Herr Jesu, dein Nahesein
bringt großen Frieden ins Herz hinein;
und dein Gnadenanblick macht uns so selig,
daß auch's Gebein darüber fröhlich
und dankbar wird.

2 Wir sehn dein freundliches Angesicht
voll Huld und Gnade wohl lieblich nicht;
aber unsre Seele kann's schon gewahren:
du kannst dich fühlbar g'nug offenbaren,
auch ungesehn.

3 O wer nur immer bei Tag und Nacht
dein zu genießen recht wär bedacht!
der hätt ohn Ende von Glück zu sagen,
und Leib und Seele müßt immer fragen,
Wer ist wie du?

4 Barmherzig, gnädig, geduldig sein,
uns täglich reichlich die Schuld verzeihn,
heilen, still'n und trösten, erfreuen und segnen,
und unsrer Seele als Freund begegnen,
ist deine Lust.

5 Ach gieb an deinem kostbaren Heil
uns alle Tage vollkommen Theil,
und laß unsre Seele sich immer schicken
aus Noth und Leide nach dir zu blicken
ohn Unterlaß.

6 Und wenn wir weinen, so tröst uns bald
mit deiner blutigen Todsgestalt;
ja, die laß uns immer vor Augen schweben
und dein wahrhaftiges Inunsleben
zu sehen sein.

7 Ein herzlichs Wesen und Kindlichkeit
sei unsre Zierde zu aller Zeit,
und die Blutbesprengung aus deinen Wunden
erhalt uns solche zu allen Stunden
der Freud und Leid.

8 So werden wir bis in Himm'l hinein
mit dir vegnügt wie die Kindlein sein;
muß man gleich die Wangen noch manchmal netzen:
wenn sich das Herz nur an dir stets setzen
und stillen kann.

9 Du reichst uns deine durchgrabne Hand,
die so viel Treue an uns gewandt,
daß wir beim Drandenken beschämt dastehen
und unser Auge muß zübergehen
vor Lob und Dank.

10 Der Küß von deinem erblaßten Mund
macht und erhält unser Herz verwundt,
und die Ueberströmung mit deinem Blute
macht uns nach Seele, Leib, Sinn und Muthe
dir ähnlich sein.

Fließt, ihr Augen, fließt von Thränen (composite)

Here is my composite and supplemental translation of the Passion hymn “Fließt, ihr Augen, fließt von Thränen” (Laurentius Laurentii, 1700), appearing in Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #156. It has been a popular hymn at times (Fischer says it is one of Laurentii’s most popular), and in the late 19th c. received a few different English translations in centoes of 4–7 stanzas. The only stanzas never translated in publication were 3 and 6, which I supply here. J. Borthwick translated 1, 4–5, 8, 10–11 in her Hymns from the Land of Luther (1857), though her final two lines each lack a syllable and her first and third line do not rhyme. In 1862, W. H. Walter included all but stanza 8 in his chorale book of 1862, correcting the length of the final lines but leaving lines 1 and 3 unrhymed. In 1863, A. Manington included her Footprints of the Holy Dead a translation of sts. 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, of which sts. 1, 4, and 10 are deemed superfluous for our “composite,” though her first stanza has inspired the amendment of line 1 in our version; further, her stanza 7 was considered unsatisfactory and has been given a fresh version by the translator. Finally, every stanza has been brought into alignment regarding the rhyme in lines 1 and 3 and the number of syllables in the last lines. — In the Wisconsin hymnal, the hymn is appointed to be sung to “Zion klagt in Angst und Schmerzen.” However, Fischer notes that in Freylinghausen 1741, it is furnished with a proper melody ascribed to J. S. Bach. Zahn dates this melody to circa 1704 and finds no justification for the ascription to Bach.

 

 

 

 

 

WEEP, mine eyes, with tears o’erflowing,
Thus my guilt and sin bemoan;
Break, my heart, in anguish, knowing
All these sorrows not thine own!
See a spotless Lamb draw nigh
To Jerusalem to die!
For thy sins His blood He offers;

Think, oh, think, for thee He suffers!

2 Now shall be that word fulfillèd,—
Word that told of wrath on high.
What, then, hath the Savior willèd
Earth to tread, but for to die?
Look upon the Son of God
Fainting ’neath the scorner’s rod,
Every wound His bitter grieving,
To your hearts in faith receiving.

3 Now the Lamb of God is given
Over into sinners’ hands
That thy fetters may be riven;
By the Jews and Heathen bands
Now the Stone away is thrown
Who is yet the Cornerstone;
Ah, the Righteous is afflicted
For these slaves to sin addicted!

4 Jesus stands while cruèl fetter
Binds the hand that framed the world,
Now around Him mockings bitter,
Laughter, and contempt are hurled.
Heathen rage and Jewish scorn,
Meekly for our sins are borne.
Precious drops of blood He sheddeth,
Jesus now the wine-press treadeth.

5 Can we view the Savior given

To the smiters’ hands for us?

Who can stand, unmoving even,

And behold Him slighted thus?

Jesus standeth in our stead:

All that man hath merited,

Jesus payeth and endureth—

Which the sinner’s sin procureth.

6 With His holy back He brooketh
Every scourge and stinging rod:
Who on this remorseless looketh?
When the Image of true God,
By the Jewish horde defiled,
Though offenseless, meek, and mild,
Naked, bears such degradation?
Who can stand th’ abomination?

7 Justly thus should they oppress thee,
O thou heart of man depraved!
But there cometh One to bless thee
Who to bear thy sorrows craved—
Jesus, who will emptied be,
And is punished piteously
Beaten, broken with displeasure,
Yea, afflicted without measure.

8 Soon the heavy doom is spoken,
Even Pilate’s pleading ceased,
Over Christ the staff is broken,
And Barabbas is released!
Ah, there is no loving word,
Not one voice of pity heard!
Loudly would they life deny Him:
Crying only “Crucify Him!”

9 To the place of skulls then follow
Mournful in thy Savior’s train,
While in truth, not accents hollow,
Thou dost pray amid thy pain
That the Father in His Child
May behold thee reconciled,
In Thy Ransom sin atoning,

Mercy to thee, needy, loaning.

10 Must I, Jesus, thus perceive Thee
In Thy toil and sorrow here?

Can I nothing better give Thee
Than my unavailing tear?
Lamb of God! I weep for Thee,
Weep, Thy cruèl cross to see,
Weep, for death o’er death victorious,
Weep, for Life immortal, glorious!

11 Poor is all that I can offer—
Soul and body while I live;
Take, O Savior, what I proffer—
Only this have I to give,—
Come, and in this heart remain;
Let each enemy be slain;—
In Thy kingdom, O my Savior,
Let me live with Thee forever!

12 Oh, a thousand times be chanted,
Dearest Jesus, hymns divine!

Death and hell have been supplanted;
Savior, now indeed I’m Thine,
And Thou art the joy I’ve won;
May I see Thee, blessed Son,
Soon in glory undefeated;
Come! Thy suff’rings are completed.

Translation sts. 3, 5b, 6 © 2022 Matthew Carver.
All original lines otherwise © 2022 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Fließt, ihr Augen, fließt von Thränen
und beweinet eure Schuld;
brich, mein Herz, von Seufzen, Sehnen,
weil ein Lämmlein in Geduld
nach Jerusalem zum Tod,
ach, zum Tod! für deine Noth
und der ganzen Welt hinwandelt:
ach, denk, wie du hast gehandelt.

2 Es soll nun vollendet werden,
was davon geschrieben ist,
und warum auf diese Erden
ist gekommen Jesus Christ:
schauet nur des Höchsten Sohn
in dem Leiden, Schmach und Hohn,
in dem Wunden, in den Schmerzen,
und nehmt Alles wohl zu Herzen.

3 Es wird in der Sünder Hände
überliefert Gottes Lamm,
das sich den Verderben wende.
Jud und Heide sind ihm gram
und verwesen diesen Stein,
der ihr Eckstein sollte sein:
ach! das leidet der Gerechte
für die bösen Sündenknechte.

4 Jesus steht in Strick und Banden,
dessen Hand die Welt gemacht,
beiVerachtung, Spott und Schanden,
und wird höhnisch ausgelacht;
Backenstreich und Fänstenschlag,
Jud- und Heiden- grimm und Nach
duldet er für deine Sünden:
wer kann solche Lieb ergründen?

5 Laß es dir zu Herzen gehen,
bessre und bekehre dich!
Wer kann diese That ansehen,
ohne tief zu beugen sich?
Jesus steht an unsrer Statt:
was der Mensch verdienet hat,
büßet Jesus und erduldet,
was der Sünder hat verschuldet.

6 Er hält seinen heilgen Rücken
Geißel, Ruth und Peitschen dar.
Wer kann dies ohn Reu erblicken?
wenn die rohe Judenschaar
Hand anlegt an Gottes Bild,
das so freundlich, fromm und mild,
und doch nackend wird gehauen:
wer kann solche Gräul anschauen?

7 Also sollt man dir begegnen,
du verruchtes Menschenherz,
aber nun kömmt, dich zu segnen
und zu tragen deinen Schmerz,
Jesus, und entblößet sich
und wird dort so jämmerlich,
abgestraft, verspeit, zerschlagen,
daΩß kein Maaß noch Ziel der Plagen.

8 Endlich wird der Schluß gesprochen:
Jesus muß zum Tode gehn;
über ihn der Stab gebrochen;
es hilft hier kein Bitten Flehn.
Barrabbas wird losgezählt,
Jesus wird zum Kreuz erwählt:
weg mit diesem, dem Verfluchten!
ruft der Hause der Verruchten.

9 Folge denn zur Schädelstätte
deinem Jesu traurig nach;
aber auf dem Wege bete,
bet im Geist mit Weh und Ach,
daß der Vater auf kein Kind
als den Bürgen für die Sünd
sehen woll und sich erbarmen
über dich Elenden, Armen.

10 Muß ich, Jesu! dich den sehen
am verfluchten Kreuzespfahl,
ach! so laß ich übergehen
Meine Thränen ohne Zahl.
Ach! erbarm dich, Gotteslamm,
das da hängt am Kreuzesstamm!
ach, erbarm dich! weil dein leiden
mir gedeihen soll zur Freuden.

11 Ich will dir ein Opfer geben:
Seel und Leib ist meine Gab!
Jesu, nimm dies arme leben,
weil ich ja nichts Bessers hab;
tödt in mir, was dir mißfällt,
leb in mir auf dieser Welt;
laß mich mit der leben, sterben,
und dein Reich im Himmel erben!

12 Tausendmal sei dir gesungen,
liebster Jesu, Preis und Ruhm,
daß du Höll und Tod bezwungen!
Nun bin ich dein Eigenthum
und du meine Freud und Wonn:
möcht ich dich, o schönste Sonn,
bald in deiner Krone sehen!
Komm! dein leiden ist geschehen.

 

O du Liebe meiner Liebe (composite, supplement)

Here is my composite and supplement for the hymn “O du Liebe meiner Liebe (E. von Senitz, d. 1679), using the oldest substantial translation by the Unitas Fratrum / Moravian Hymn-Book (variants noted below), and also the translation of E. Ortlepp (1900) provided for the Selah Gesangbuch. The latter is altered where necessary to agree with the style and idiom of the Moravian stanzas. None of the translations, of course, is complete; together, they still omit stanza 4, a translation of which I offer here. The melody is the proper one as composed by Thommen.

 

OH, Thou Love wherewith I’m lovèd,
Source of all my happiness;
Thou, O Love, by mercy movèd,
Tak’st upon Thee my distress:
As a lamb led to the slaughter
Goest to the cross’s tree,
Seal’st Thy love with blood and water,
Bear’st the world’s iniquity. 

2 Love, so strikingly displayèd
In Thy tears and bloody sweat:
Love, by sinful men betrayèd,
Dragged before the judgment-seat:
Love, who for my soul’s salvation
Willingly didst shed Thy blood,
Through Thy death and bitter Passion
I am reconciled to God. 

3 Love, whose heart in humble silence
Bravely bore disgrace and shame,
Love, who through the worst revilements
To the end wast e’er the same;
Love, who didst not cease Thy pleading
To the last expiring breath,
Kindly for me interceding
When Thy head was bowed in death!

4 Love, who with Thine arms extended
At the last wouldst me embrace;
Love, who out of mercy splendid
Pled’st for me the highest grace
With Thy Father, and, forsaken
For my sake Thyself hast died,
Lest I be by wrath o’ertaken
With Thy merits took’st my side.

5 Love, who as my bleeding Savior
Didst my heart in righteousness
Unto Thee betroth forever,
Ah, I thank Thee for Thy grace:
Love, who thus Thyself engagèd:
Let my mis’ry and my smart
Now entirely be assuagèd
In Thy wounded, bleeding heart.

6 Love, who hast for me endurèd
Death upon th’ accursèd tree,
And eternal bliss procurèd,
Fill my soul with love to Thee:
Lord, how hast Thou captivated
My else cold and lifeless heart:
Let me, till to heav’n translated,
Never more from Thee depart. 

7 Love, from bitter sorrows dying
For my heart so cold and vain;
In the tomb enshrouded lying—
Ah, I thank Thee for Thy pain!
Thanks to Thee for that salvation,
Which through death brought life to me:
Let this Love’s divine persuasion
Draw me nearer unto Thee!  

Tr. st. 4, M. Carver, 2022. 

 

SOURCES

1 Oh, the love wherewith I’m lovèd,
Source of all my happiness; [O the undeserved grace] (Mor. H-B 1795)
Thou, O love, by mercy movèd,
Tak’st upon Thee my distress:
As a lamb led to the slaughter
Goest to the cross’s tree, [Thou go’st to the cross’s tree,]  (Mor. H-B 1795)
Seal’st Thy love with blood and water,
Bear’st the world’s iniquity. (Mor. H-B 1876)

1b O Thou Love whom I am loving
As my soul’s desire and bliss,
Who with tender pity moving
Ventured into death’s abyss,
Who for me has tortures suffered
All my sins and debts to pay,
Whose own sacrifice once offered
Took a world’s misdeeds away! (E. Ortlepp)

2 Love, so strikingly displayèd
In Thy tears and bloody sweat: [In the tears…]
Love, by sinful men betrayèd,
Dragged before the judgment-seat:
Love, who for my soul’s salvation
Willingly didst shed Thy blood,
Through Thy death and bitter Passion
I am reconciled to God. (Mor. H-B 1876)

2b O Thou Love, who knelt with weeping,
Wrestling in Gethsemane,
Love not slumbering nor sleeping,
Ever seeking, watching me;
Love, who did His own volition
Yield into the Father’s will,
And, to save us from perdition,
Bore the cross to Calv’ry’s hill! (E. Ortlepp)

3 O Thou Love, whose heart in silence
Bravely bore disgrace and shame,
Love, who through the worst reveilments
To the end remained the same;
Love, who did not cease His pleading
To the last expiring breath,
Kindly for me interceding
When Thy head was bowed in death! (E. Ortlepp)

5 Love, who as my bleeding Savior
Didst my heart in righteousness
Unto Thee betroth forever,
Ah, I thank Thee for Thy grace:
Love, who thus Himself engagèd: [Thyself engaged] (Mor. H-B 1832)
Let my mis’ry and my smart [Let all mis’ry which I feel] (Mor. H-B 1832)
Now entirely be assuagèd
In Thy wounded, bleeding heart. (Mor. H-B 1795) [By Thy stripes my sorrows heal] (Mor. H-B 1832)

6 Love, who hast for me endurèd
Death upon th’ accursèd tree,
And eternal bliss procurèd,
Fill my soul with love to Thee:
Lord, how hast Thou captivated
My else cold and lifeless heart: [wretched heart] (Mor. H-B 1795)
Let me, till to heav’n translated,
Never more from Thee depart. (Mor. H-B 1876)

6b O Thou Love, who died to win me,
To secure my lasting good,
Henceforth all that is within me
Thinketh of Thy precious blood;
Here I thank Thee for those smarting
Pains and pangs, Thou wounded Love,
Now, and when from earth departing
In Thy arms I rest above. (E. Ortlepp)

7 O Thou Love, from sorrows dying!
For my heart so cold and vain
In the tomb enshrouded lying!
Ah! I thank Thee for Thy pain.
Thanks to Thee for that salvation.
Which through death brought life to me:
Let this Love’s divine persuasion
Draw me nearer unto Thee! (E. Ortlepp)

GERMAN

1 O du Liebe meiner Liebe!
du erwünschte Seligkeit!
die du dich aus höchstem Triebe
in das jammervolle Leid
deines Leidens, mir zu gute,
als ein Schlachtschaaf engestellt,
und bezahlt mit deinem Blute,
alle Misserthat der Welt.

2 Liebe, die mit Schweiß und Thränen
an em Oelberg sich betrübt;
Liebe, die mit Blut und Sehnen
unaufhörlich fest geliebt;
Liebe, die mit allem Willen
Gottes Zorn und Eifer tragt!
den so Niemand konnte stillen,
hat dein Sterben hingelegt.

3 Liebe, die mit starkem Herzen
alle Schmach und Hohn gehört;
Liebe, die mit Angst und Schmerzen
nicht der strengste Tod verfehrt;
Liebe, die sich liebend zeiget,
als sich Kraft und Athem endt;
Liebe, die sich liebend neiget,
als sich Leib und Seele trennt!

4 Liebe, die mit ihren Armen
mich zuletzt umfangen wollt;
Liebe, die aus liebserbarmen
mich zuletzt in höchster Huld
ihrem vater überlassen,
die selbst starb und für mich hat,
daß mich nicht der Zorn solt fassen,
weil mich ihr Verdienst vertrat.

5 Liebe, die mir so viel Wunden
gegen mich als seine Braut,
unauflöslich sich verbunden [unaufhörlich mich…]
und auf ewig anvertraut!
Liebe, laß auch meine Schmerzen,
meines Lebens Jammerpein,
in dem blut-verwundten Herzen,
sanft in die gestillet sein.

6 Liebe, die für mich gestorben
und ein immerwährend Gut
an dem Kreuzesholz erworben,
ach, wie denk ich an dein Blut!
Ach, wie denk ich deinen Wunden,
du verwundte Liebe du!
wenn ich in den letzten Stunden,
sanft in deiner Seiten ruh!

7 Liebe, die sich todt gekränket
und für mein erkaltet's Herz
in ein kaltes Grab gesenket,
ach, wie dank ich deinem Schmerz!
Habe Dank, daß du gestorben,
daß ich ewig leben kann.
und der Seelen Heil erworben!
Nimm mich ewig liebend an.

Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt

 It has been a long hiatus, but here is a complete translation of the hymn “Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt” (J. Leon). Only two stanzas had to be translated (7, 15) by myself. The rest are predominantly from A. T. Russell, whose cento appears in The Lutheran Hymnary, as the chief precedent translation in English publication. The other stanzas are by C. Winkworth and J. C. Jacobi.

MY ALL I to my God commend,
Who all doth to His purpose bend;
My life resigning to His will;
Mine to lie still,
Or his designs alone fulfill.

2 I die at his appointed hour.
Who dares resist his sov’reign pow’r?
My very hairs he knows them all,
Both great and small,
Without His will not one can fall.

3 This earth is but a vale of tears,
Where grief on every side appears;
Sad hours of conflict, toil, and woe
Here ebb and flow,
Till we are summoned hence to go.

4 What is a man? A clod of earth,
A needy mortal from his birth;
Brought nothing with him, when he came,
But sin and shame;
And naked leaves this worldly frame.

5 No greatness, wit, nor golden store
Can here obtain a better score:
'Gainst death no physick can prevail;
No fee nor bail
Can cancel Adam’s sad entail.

6 Today with joy our hearts beat high;
Tomorrow in the grave we lie:
Though as the rose we bloom today,
We soon decay,
And sorrow everywhere hath sway.

7 We one by one are borne away
From sight and mind, and cannot stay;
The world’s respects for young and old,
Soon loose their hold,
Our many honours soon grow cold.

8 Lord, may we meditate aright
How soon we all must fade from sight,
How swiftly from the earth we fly,
All born to die,
Rich, poor, wise, simple, low and high.

9. This is the fruit of Adam’s fall;
Death like a conqu’ror seizeth all;
Sin sets him on the human race;
There is no place
Exempt from his continual chase.

10 Few are our days and sad below,
Our daily bread is toil and woe:
But God in His good time will send
A peaceful end:
Death from a foe is made a friend.

11 And though our sins against us rise,
To heaven we lift our trusting eyes;
For God is merciful, and gave,
Our souls to save,
His Son belovéd to the grace.

12 In Him my Saviour I abide,
I know for all my sins He died,
And risen again to work my good,
The burning flood
Hath quench'd with His most precious blood.

13 To Him I live and die alone,
Death cannot part Him from His own;
Living or dying I am His
Who only is
Our comfort, and our gate of bliss.

14 This thought in every pain and grief
Brings comfort, sweet and full relief,
That we shall rise when Christ appears,
No more in tears,
As now, in these our pilgrim years.

15 My faithful God, so dear and true,
Will guard my mortal residue,
No part of it, when life is past,
Though small or vast,
Will perish or be lost at last.

16 Then I shall see God face to face,
I doubt it not, through Jesus’ grace,
Amid the joys prepared for me!
Thanks be to Thee
Who givest us the victory!

17 O Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Who hast redeemed us with Thy blood,
Thy precious wounds our refuge be:
For rest we flee,
O Lord, our only hope, to Thee.

18 Amen, dear God! now send us faith,
And at the last a happy death;
And grant us all ere long to be
In heaven with Thee,
To praise Thee there eternally.

sts. 1, 3, 6, 8, 10–11, 14, 17, tr. A. T. Russel; 2, 4–5, 9, J. C. Jacobi, alt.; 7, 15, tr. M. Carver; 12, 13, 16, 18, tr. C. Winkworth.

GERMAN

1 Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt,
er machs mit mir, wie’s ihm gefällt.
Soll ich allhier noch länger lebn,
ohn Widerstrebn
seim Willen tu ich mich ergebn

2 Mein Zeit und Stund ist, wann Gott will;
ich schreib ihm nicht vor Maß noch Ziel.
Es sind gezählt all Härlein mein;
Beid groß und klein
fällt keines ihn den Willen sein.

3 Es ist allhier ein Jammertal,
Angst, Not und Trübsal überall;
des Bleibens ist ein kleine Zeit
voll Müh und Leid, [Voll Muhselgkeit]
und wers bedenkt, ist stets im Streit. [immr im Streit]

4 Was ist der Mensch? Ein Erdenklos,
von Mutterleib kommt er nackt und bloß,
bring nichts mit sich auf diese Welt
kein Gut noch Geld,
nimmt nichts mit sich, wann er hinfällt.

5 Es hilft kein Reichtum, Geld noch Gut,
kein Kunst noch Gunst noch stolzer Mut;
vorm Tod kein Kraut gewachsen ist;
mein frommer Christ,
alles, was lebet, sterblich ist.

6 Heut sind wir frisch, gesund und stark
und liegen morgen tot im Sarg; [Morgn sind wir todt und liegn…]
heut blühen wir wie Rosen rot, […blühn wir wie die Rosen…]
bald krank und tot;
ist allenthalben Müh und Not.

7 Man trägt eins nach dem andern hin,
wohl aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn; […den Augn und aus…]
die Welt vergisset unser bald,
ob jung, ob alt
auch unsrer Ehren mannigfalt.

8 Ach Herr, lehr uns bedenken wohl,
daß wir sind sterblich allzumal,
auch wir allhier kein Bleibens han,
müssn all davon,
gelehrt, reich, jung, alt oder schön.

9 Das macht die Sünd, du treuer Gott, […o treuer…]
dadurch ist kommn der bittre Tod,
der nimmt und frißt all Menschenkind,
wie er sie findt,
fragt nicht, wes Stands und Ehrn sie sind. […odr Ehrn…]

10 Ich hab hier wenig guter Tag,  […hie wenig…]
mein täglich Brot ist Müh und Klag.
Wann mein Gott will, so will ich mit
hinfahrn in Fried;
Tod ist Gewinn und schadt mir nit. [Sterbn ist mein Gwinn…]

11 Und ob mich schon mein Sünd anficht,
dennoch will ich verzagen nicht;
ich weiß, daß mein getreuer Gott
für mich inn Tod
seinn liebsten Sohn gegeben hat.

12 Derselbe mein HErr JEsus Christ
für meine Sünd gestorben ist
und auferstanden mir zu gut,
der Höllen Glut
gelöscht mit seinem theuren Blut.
 

13 Dem leb und sterb ich allezeit,
von ihm der bittr Tod mich nicht scheidt
ich leb odr sterb, so bin ich sein,
er ist allein
der einge Trost und Helfer mein.

14 Das ist mein Trost zu aller Zeit
in allem Kreuz und Traurigkeit.
Ich weiß, daß ich am Jüngsten Tag
ohn alle Klag
Wird auferstehn aus meinem Grab

15 Mein lieber frommr getreuer Gott,
all mein Gebein bewahren tut,
da wird nicht eins vom Leibe mein,
sei groß odr klein,
umkommen noch verloren sein.

16 Mein’ lieben Gott von Angesicht
werde ich anschaun, dran zweifl ich nicht,
in ewger Freud und Seligkeit,
die mir bereit’;
ihm sei Lob, Preis in Ewigkeit

17 O Jesu Christe, Gottes Sohn,
der du für mich hast gnug getan,
Ach schleus mich in die Wunden dein,
du bist allein
der einge Trost und Helfer mein.

18 Amen, mein lieber frommer Gott,
bescher uns all ein selgen Tod,
hilf, daß wir mögen allzugleich
bald in dein Reich
kommen und bleiben ewiglich.

Christus der uns selig macht

Here is my composite of previous translations with my own corrections, and my translation of st. 8, of the Passion hymn “Christus der uns selig macht” (M. Weisse, 1531), a German translation of the 14th c. Latin hymn “Patris Sapientia,” for the Canonical Hours of Good Friday, using their traditional names: (Lauds, i.e., before sunrise), (Prime, 6 AM), Terce (9 AM), Sext (12 PM), Nones (3 PM), Vespers (at sunset), Compline (at bedtime). If you wish to include the terms Lauds and Prime, you can use these alternate lines: stanza 1, line 3: "At the hour of Lauds for us"; stanza 2, line 1: "Then at Prime, the morning hour." Ludecus appoints it under the section from Palmarum through Good Friday. It takes the melody of the Latin hymn, as found in the hymnals of the Bohemian Brethren. Here is Bach's take.


CHRIST, WHO saves us by His cross,
And no sin committed,
In the dark of night for us
Was with shackles fitted,
Brought before a wicked court
Falsely charged, and smitten,
Spit upon, and mocked in sport,
As in Scripture written.

2. At the morning’s dawning hour,
As a rogue depicted,
Christ was under Pilate’s pow’r
Brought to be convicted:
Though he judged Him innocent
Of the charge of treason,
Yet to Herod was He sent
Urged by murd’rous reason.

3. Then at Terce His flesh was torn,
And by scourges furrowed
And a cruèl crown of thorn
In His brow deep-burrowed;
Mocked with robes of purple rich,
On all sides was chastened,
Made to bear the cross to which
He would soon be fastened.

4. Then at Sext the Son of God
In His crucifixion,
Naked but for the streams of blood,
Prayed with great affliction,
Those who hung or stood in view
Had Him in derision,
Till the sun her beams withdrew
From so sad a vision.

5. Then at Nones did Jesus call,
“How I am forsaken!”
Having vinegar and gall
Tasted but not taken,
Then His ghost to God He sent,
Shook the earth with wonder,
Gave the temple vail a rent,
Cleft the rocks asunder.

6. At the hour of Vesper-tide,
Robbers’ shins were broken,
But a spear pierced Jesus’ side,
For a lasting token:
Thence both blood and water flows,
To fulfill the Scriptures,—
As John’s holy Gospel shows —
All for us poor creatures.

7. When the hour of Compline came,
And the day was ended,
Joseph took His savior’s frame
From the cross suspended,
Laying it with custom grace
In his stony chamber,
Where guards kept it safe three days,
As Matthew remembers.

8. Grant, O Christ, God’s very Son,
By Thy bitter Passion
That all evils we may shun,
As Thy faithful nation;

Grant us fruitfully to think
On Thy death and suff’ring,
And for that, though oft we sink,
Bring Thee thankful off’ring!

Translation sts. 1–7 composite (editing © 2010 M. Carver).
st. 8, © 2009 M. Carver.

GERMAN

1. Christus der uns selig macht,
kein Bös hat begangen,
der ward für uns in der Nacht
als ein Dieb gefangen,
geführt vor gottlose Leut,
und fälschlich verklaget,
verlacht, verhöhnt und verspeit,
wie denn die Schrift saget.

2. In der ersten Tagesstund
ward er unbescheiden
als ein Mörder dargestellt
Pilato, dem Heiden,
der ihn unschuldig bestand,
ohne Sach des Todes,
ihn derhalben von sich sandt
zum König Herodes.

3. Um drei ward der Gottessohn
mit Geißeln geschmissen
und sein Haupt mit einer Kron
von Dornen zerrissen;
gekleidet zu Hohn und Spott
ward er sehr geschlagen,
und das Kreuz zu seinem Tod
mußt er selber tragen.

4. Um sechs ward er nackt und bloß
an das Kreuz geschlagen,
an dem er sein blut vergroß,
betet mit Wehklagen:
die Zuseher spotten sein,
auch die bei ihm hingen,
bis die Sonn auch ihren Schein
entzog solchen Dingen.

5. Jesus schrie zur neunten Stund,
klaget sich verlassen;
bald ward Gall in seinen Mund
mit Essig gelassen;
da gab er auf seinen Geist,
und die Erd erbebet,
des Tempels Vorhang zerreißt,
und manch Fels zerklöbet.

6. Da hat man zur Vesperzeit
die Schächer zerbrochen,
ward Jesus in seiner Seit
mit eim Speer gestochen,
daraus Blut und Wasser rann,
die Schrift zu erfüllen,
wie Johannes zeiget an,
nur um unsertwillen.

7. Da der Tag sein Ende nahm,
der Abend war kommen,
ward Jesus vons Kreuzes Stamm
durch Joseph genommen,
herrlich, nach Jüdischer Art,
in ein Grab geleget,
allda mit Hütern verwahrt,
wie Matthäus zeiget.

8. O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn,
durch dein bitter Leiden,
daß wir stets dir unterthan
all Untugend meiden,
deinen Tod und sein Ursach
fruchtbarlich bedenken,
dafür, wiewohl arm und schwach,
dir Dankopfer schenken. (Amen.)

HENRY S. DRINKER

1. Christ, through whom we all are blest,
Knew no evil doing.
Him at night did they arrest,
Like a thief pursuing.
Led before the godless throng
And falsely convicted.
Laughed at, scoffed at, spat upon,
As the Word predicted.

MORAVIAN HYMN-BOOK

1. Christ, who saves us by His cross,
Who in naught offended,
He was in the night for us
Betrayed, apprehended,
Led before a wicked race,
Falsely was accusèd,
Laughed at, mocked, spit in the face,
Shamefully abusèd.

2. In the morn, at the sixth hour,
He was led with fury,
As a foe of civil pow’r,
’Fore a heathen jury,
Who him tried, but found him free
Of th’ imputed treason;
Herod mockèd Him, yet He
Found for death no reason.

3. At nine was the Son of God
By the scourges furrowed,
And the thorny crown forc’d blood
From His sacred forehead.
With a purple garment mocked,
On all sides assailèd,
He must bear the cross to which
He was to be nailèd.

4. He at noon was on the cross
Reared for our transgression,
Where He prayed and bled for us,
To procure salvation:
The spectators shook their heads,
Had Him in derision,
Till the sun His beams withdrew
From so sad a vision.

5. At three Jesus cried, “My God,
Why am I forsaken?”
Having vinegar and gall,
Which was offered, taken,
He then yielded up the ghost!
Pause, my soul, and wonder;—
Then the temple’s vail was rent,
Rocks were cleft asunder.

6. When the Lord of glory died,
Not a bone was broken,
But a soldier pierced His side
For a lasting token:
From thence streamed a double flood
Of a cleansing nature;
Both the water and the blood
Wash the guilty creature.

7. Joseph, having leave obtained,
And got spices ready,
From the cross (by love constrained)
Took our Savior’s body:
Had it, with all decent grace,
To His own tomb carried;
Where the keepers for three days
To secure it tarried.

8. Grant, O Christ, Thou Son of God,
Through Thy bitter passion,
That we, as Thy smart’s reward,
Joy in Thy salvation:
That we ever weigh the cause
Of Thy death and suff’ring,
Yea for this, though poor we are,
Bring thee our thank-off’ring!

JACOBI (1725)

1 Christ, by Whose all-saving Light
Mankind benefited,
Was for Sinners in the Night
As a Thief committed.
Dragged before a wicked Court
Of the Jewish Clergy ;
Where they tried their worst Effort
'Gainst the Lord of Mercy.

2. Sentenced early by this Crew,
As the worst of Sinners,
Came to Pilate, who foreknew
This Tumult's Beginners :
Though he judged Him innocent
Of their Accusation,
Yet to Herod He was sent
For his Arbitration.

3. Then His holy Flesh was torn
With inhuman Lashes,
And His blessed Head in Scorn
- Crowned of sinful Ashes :
Cloathed in a Purple Dress,
Mocked, and beat, and bruised ;
Thus the Source of Holiness
Was by Sin misused.

4. Then at Noon the Son of God
To the Cross was nailed.
Where His fervent Prayer and Blood
For our Sins prevailed :
The Spectators shook their Head,
Had Him in derision,
Till the Sun-light mourning fled
From so sad a Vision.

5. When at Three they heard Him call :
“Why am I forsaken ?”
Strait was Vinegar mixed with Gall
Offered, but not taken :
Then to God His Spirit went,
Shaking the Earth with Wonder,
Gave the Vail a thorough Rent,
Cleft the Rocks asunder.

6. At the approaching Evening Tide,
Criminals Bones were broken ;
But the Spear pierced Jesus' Side,
For a lasting Token :
Which poured forth a double Flood
Of a cleansing Nature.
Both the Water and the Blood
Wash the guilty Creature.

7. Joseph, when the Eve was come,
Took his dearest Master,
Laid Him in his Stately Tomb,
Hewn in Alabaster ;
Nicodem, now void of Fear,
Brought the richest Spices :
Thus these holy Men paid here
Their last Sacrifices.

8. Grant, O Jesu, blessed Lord,
By Thy Cross and Passion,
Thy blest Love may be adored
By the whole Creation :
Hating Sin, the woful Cause
Of Thy Death and Suffering,
Give our Heart to_obey Thy Laws
As the best Thanks-offering.


J.M. NEALE (FROM THE LATIN):
1. Circled by His enemies,
By His own forsaken,
God made Man, at time of LAUDS,
For our sakes was taken:
Very Wisdom, Very Light,
Monarch long expected,
In the garden by the Jews
Bought, betrayed, afflicted.

2. See them, at the hour of PRIME,
Unto Pilate leading
Him, ‘gainst Whom with lying tongues
Witnesses are pleading;
There with spitting and with shame
Ill for good they render,
Marring of That Face which gives
Heav’n Eternal splendour.

3. “Crucify Him!” for His love
Is their bitter payment,
When they lead Him forth at TERCE,
Clad in purple raiment;
And a Crown of woven thorns
On his Head He weareth,
And the Cross to Calvary
On His Shoulders beareth.

4. He upon the Cross at SEXT
for man’s sake was mounted,
By the passers-by reviled,
With transgressors counted:
Mocking, vinegar, and gall
To His thirst they proffer:
To the Holy Lamb of God
Such taunts they offer.

5. At the hour of NONE the strife
Long and sharp was ended,
Gently to His Father’s Hands
He his soul commended:
And a soldier pierced His Side
With a spear unbidden,
While earth quaked exceedingly,
And the sun was hidden.

6. When it came to VESPER-time,
From the Cross they take Him,
Whose great Love t bear such woes
For our sakes could make Him:
Such a death He underwent,
Our alone Physician,
That of everlasting Life
We might have fruition.

7. At the holy COMPLINE-tide,
Holy hands array Him
In the garments of the grave,
Where the mourners lay Him:
Myrrh and spices have they brought,–
Scripture is completed;
And by death, the Prince of Life,
Death and hell defeated.

8. Therefore these Canonical
Hours my tongue shall ever
In thy praise, O Christ, recite
With my heart’s endeavour:
That the Love, Which for my sake
Bore such tribulation,
In mine own Death-agony
May be my Salvation.

TROUTBECK (st. 1 only):

1. See the Lord of Life and Light,
Savior meek and lowly,
Taken like a thief at night,
Bound by hands unholy,
See the sinless Son of God
Shameful mockings bearing,
Bitter taunts, a cruèl rod,
Doom of sinners sharing.

OTHER TRANSLATIONS:

• The wisdom of the Father, and truth divine beside (Primer 1604)
• As night departing brings the day (Primer, 1706)
• The wisdom of the heavenly Father (D. French 1839)
• Christ the Author of our peace (Burlingham 1866)
• ‘Twas at the solemn Matins’ hour (Aylward, in Shipley’s Annus Sanctus, 1884).