O Herre Gud, miskunde dig

Here is my translation of “O Herre Gud, miskunde dig” (attr. Hans Tavsen, 1528), from Nutzhorn (vol. 1, p. 100). Essentially an interpolation of the Our Father, it formed the hymn for evening prayer in Jutland during the early stages of the Danish Reformation. Its title in Chr. Pedersen’s Malmøsalmebog (1533) demonstrates this: “Den aftensang, som i Judland siunges med Antiphoner, Psalmer, og Magnificat.” It was sung to “Deus misereatur nostri,” i.e., the tune for Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 67, “Es wollt uns Gott genädig sein” [“May God Bestow on Us His Grace”].

O LORD, have mercy on us all,
See us on earth below Thee!
We are Thy children poor and small,
And as Our Father know Thee.
In heaven high Thou seated art,
And we mid mortal dangers
On earth implore Thee from our heart,
Send us not hence as strangers,
Nor in Thy wrath forsake us!

2. O Father, let Thy kingdom grow,
And thwart the devil’s pleasure,
Defend us from the harmful foe;
Grant grace in fullest measure,
That we as children Thee obey,
To Thy good reign be given.
Thy will be done on earth alway,
As it is done in heaven,
In all good things instruct us.

3. Give us this day our daily bread:
Thy Word and grace so holy;
To endless life let us be fed,
And saved from Satan’s fury.

Purge graciously from us the leav’n
Of Pharasaic teaching
And in its place let us be giv’n
Clear wine of Christ’s own preaching:
Right faith and faultless doctrine.

4. Forgive us, Father, and be kind:
In our trespasses spare us,
Nor let us desp’rate be to find,
So many sins ensnare us.
Support us bravely in the strife
To overcome the devil
And cruèl foes who seek our life.
Deliver us from evil!
Dear Father, hear us. Amen.

5. To give Thee glory, praise and laud
In every age forever
Shall be our will, O Father, God,
O Christ the Son, our Savior,
O Holy Ghost, our Comforter,
Adored in equal measure
In every land, by rich and poor,
Who find in Thee their pleasure.
Eternal life now grant them!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

DANISH

1. O Herre Gud, miskunde dig,
se til os her på jorden,
vi ere dine børn så usselig,
vor Fader estu vorden,
Du sidder høgt i himmerig,
og vi udi dødsens snare.
Giv pris dit navn udi jorderig,
lad os ej så heden fare,
i din ugunst så såre.

2. O Fader, øg dit rige fast,
lad djævelen ej sjelv råde,
og frels os fra den skadelig gast,
begav os med din nåde,
at vi må være dine lydige børn
dig lade styre og råde.
Din vilje ske i jorderig,
alt som i himmelens throne,
lær os dine børn til gode.

3. Giv os i dag vor daglige brød,
dine ord og hellige n åde,
og frels os fra den ewige død,
og så fra djævelsens v åde,
borttag fra os med nåden din
Pharisaiske surdej og lære,
skænk os igjen den klare vin,
som Kristus monne frambære,
det er ret [tro] og lære.

4. O kjære Fader, vær os huld,
og spar os i vor brøste,
vor brøde hun er så mangefold,
hjælp at vi ej mistrøste.
I vor strid statt os mandelig bi,
overvinde uvenner grumme,
åndelige og verdslige gjenstrid,
ondt vend fra os altsammen,
os hør kjære Fader, Amen.

5. Pris lov og hæder til evig tid
er vor begæring alle,
skal gives dig vor Fader så blid,
din Søn det og for alle.
Der til den Ånd vor Trøstermand,
skal gives den samme ære,
af fattig og rig i alle land,
som dig nu s åre begjære.
Giv dennom den evig ære.

O Fader udi himmelen

Here is my translation of the Danish “vekselsang” (antiphonal song) for Easter (with an option for the Feast of Ascension) based on Rex gloriae & Regina caeli, from C. Mortensen, here given from H. von Nutzhorn, Den dansk-lutherske menigheds salmesang… (pp. 141–144).

Congregation:
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Alleluia!

Choir:
1. O Father, God in heaven high
Through Thy Son hear our cry.
For He true Man was made,
To be our help and aid:
Show us mercy, Father! Alleluia.

Cong.:
He who was dead and for us given. Alleluia.

Choir:
2. O Christ, Eternal Son and King
For Thy grace now we sing:
Death hast Thou overcome,
Redeeming everyone:
Lord, receive our prayer-! Alleluia.

Cong.:
He is arisen as He said. Praise the Lord!

Choir:
3. O Holy Ghost to Thee we pray,
Comforter, Help and Stay,
Consoler of the heart,
To all Thy grace impart;
Peace and gladness grant us! Alleluia.

Cong.:
Pray God for us. Alleluia.
Praise the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Choir:
Joy fills the daughter of the King.
Bride of Christ, gladly sing!
For He whom Mary bore
Is risen with great pow’r,
In Him her trust is grounded. Alleluia.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

DANISH

Forsamlingen:
Ærens Koning, o Christe, Alleluia!

Chorid:
1. O Fader udi himmelen,
vid din Søn hør vor bøn.
han er oss fød ok given vist,
till all vor hjelp ok trøst;
vær os mild, o Fader! Alleluia.

Fors.:
Hvilken som vor død ok for os given. Alleluia.

Chorid:
2. O Christe Koning i evighed,
vi bede dig, vær os blød,
du som døden haver fordærvet,
os salighed forhvervet;
bønhør os, o Herre! Alleluia.

Fors.:
Han er opstanden (opfaren) som han sagde. Lover Herren!

Chorid:
3. Helligånd vor bøn til dig,
o Gud vor Trøstermand,
samvittighedsens trøst, hjertensløst
afslæt alle Kristnes brøst;
fred ok glæde giv os! Alleluia.

Fors.:
Bed Gud for os. Alleluia.
Lover Herren. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Chorid:
Koningens datter af evighed,
Christi brud glæder sig,
for den hun haver i ånden undfangen,
han er, som han sagde, opstanden. [el. opfaren]
Hun sig på Gud forlader, Alleluja!

O Gud, efter dig mig forlænger

Here is my translation of “O Gud, efter dig mig forlænger” (H.C. Sthen, 1589), a prayer and confession hymn inspired by Rom. 8:19. Below I include an earlier hetero-metrical English paraphrase by Tait, the original Danish version by Sthen (with stress-based rather than metrical lines), and finally the later normalized, altered version by Ingemann. The melody is “O Welt, ich muß dich lassen” (H. Isaac, 1539, after a sec. mel., 15th c.).


O GOD, for Thee I’m longing,
When sins my heart are thronging,
My trust is all in Thee.
Thy Word and grace so holy
Are all my refuge solely,
O Lord, be gracious unto me!

2. My heart, with fear encumbered,
Is pierced by sins unnumbered,
Yet Christ is my abode.
He only shall avail me,
Nor will He leave or fail me,
For He hath bought me with His blood.

3. If I should meet temptation,
Bound tight in my transgression,
O God, Thy help then lend!
In death and life, Lord, never
Leave me to perish ever.
So shall I praise Thee without end.

4. O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
Be Thou my Jesus ever,
Sweet, Jesus, is Thy name;
Thine, Jesus, kindly make me,
Oh Jesus, ne’er forsake me!
In Jesus I my harbor claim.

5. O Father, keep and cherish
Thy creature, lest I perish,
In hope I cling to Thee;
O Son, my sole salvation,
Grant help and consolation,
Build up what Thou beganst in me.

6. O Holy Ghost, most precious,
Thy grace and wisdom gracious,
Thy peace and counsel, give,
To manage my vocations
And bear my cross with patience,
Till I my heav’nly share receive.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

TAIT’S VERSION (After Ingemann’s version):

1. My God, my God, for Thee I pine! 

A heritage of woe is mine;
In Thee alone is all my trust;
A bulwark is Thy Word to me;
Thy grace can make me glad and free :
Compassionate the child of dust.

2. Before temptation I am frail;

Me sins, a countless host, assail.
O Father, succour and sustain,—
In life, in death Thy help I need;
Be Thou my God, my God indeed,—
I praise Thee, Healer of my pain.

3. Fainteth my weak and burdened heart,- 

Transgression's terrors through it dart;
But Holy Jesus died to save; 

On Him, the Mighty, I rely, 

Who gave me back the vanished sky,
By vanquishing the awful grave.

4. Although all life obeys Thy rule, 

Mine shalt Thou be, Thou Beautiful,
Blessed be my Redeemer's name !

Thou Merciful, oh, sever not 

The bond that binds Thee to my lot;
For ever shield, Thou valiant Flame.

5. Thou, Father, God, didst me create; 

Cry not to me, Too late, too late,—
My hope is in Thee evermore.

Thou, Son of God, didst me redeem; 

Enrich, enliven with Thy gleam ;
Perfect the work begun before.

6. Thou, Holy Spirit, counsel, guide, 

As wisdom, joy, and power abide
In my renewed, adoring breast;
Earth's labours may I cheerful share !
My cross with patience may I bear!
Then gain the everlasting rest.

DANISH (Original)

1. O Gud, efter dig mig forlænger,
naar Synden mit Hjærte trænger,
til dig staar al min Lid;
paa dit Ord og hellige Naade
vil jeg mig altid forlade,
o Herre, vær mig mild og blid!

2. Mit Hjærte gjøres mig ret bange,
det volde mine Synder saa mange,
Jesus er dog min Trøst;
jeg tror hannem vel for alle,
han vil mig aldrig undfalde,
han haver mig med sit Blod forløst.

3. Stor Fristelse monne jeg finde,
mine Synder de mig hart binde,
o Gud, hjælp mig derfra;
lad mig fortabt ej blive,
hverken i Død eller Live,
evig jeg dig vil prise da.

4. O Jesu, Livsens Herre!
vilde du min Jesus være,
Jesus er et sødt Navn;
min Frelser er Jesus lille,
o Jesu, dig ej fra mig skille,
Jesus han er min trygge Havn.

5. Gud Fader, som mig haver skabt,
lad mig aldrig blive fortabt,
mit Haab sætter jeg til dig;
Guds Søn, som mig haver forløst,
du være altid min Hjælp og Trøst,
styrke det du haver begyndt i mig!

6. Den Helligaand i lige Maade
forlæne mig Visdom og Naade,
giv Lykke og gode Raad
i mit Kald saa flittig at være,
og mit Kors taalmodelig bære,
siden fange i Himmerig Del og Lod!

DANISH (Reworked by Ingemann, 1854)

1. Gud, efter dig jeg længes,
når jeg af synden trænges,
til dig står al min lid:
Jeg på dit ord, o Fader,
på nåden mig forlader,
o Herre, vær mig mild og blid!

2. Mit hjerte gøres bange
for mine synder mange,
dog Jesus er min trøst:
jeg tror ham vel for alle,
han vil mig ej undfalde,1
han har mig med sit blod forløst.

3. Stor fristelse jeg finder,
og hårdt mig synden binder,
Gud, hjælp derfra mig ud!
I døden som i live
lad mig fortabt ej blive,
og evig priser jeg min Gud!

4. Du livsens Herre kære,
min Jesus vil du være,
livsaligt er dit navn.
Min frelser, Jesus milde,
du ej fra mig dig skille,
du altid er min trygge havn!

5. Gud Fader, som mig skabte,
tæl ej mig blandt fortabte,
mit håb er sat til dig:
Guds Søn, som mig forløste,
din hjælp mig altid trøste,
styrk det, du har begyndt i mig!

6. Du, Helligånd, mig råde,
giv visdom mig og nåde,
giv lykke, gode råd:
I kaldet flittig være,
mit kors tålmodig bære,
giv mig i Himlen del og lod!

Den Kristelig Kirkes skønne navn

Here is my translation of the hymn “Den Kristelig Kirkes skønne navn” (H. Thomissøn, 1569), before it was reworked by Grundtvig in the 19th century, though I include his first stanza, both for comparison and for the same reaosn that “Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort” was reworked in later times. The tune is originally from Strassburg 1525, and was only used in Thomissøn, other tunes being later appointed to it in various works.


FAIR is the Christian Church’s name,
All men on earth would bear it,—
And for themselves that title claim,
But God will never share it
With Papist or with warlike Turk,
With Russ, or Jew with doctrine dark,—
God’s Church they claim but falsely.

1 (Grundtvig, 1836/1845):
Fair is the Christian Church’s name,
All men on earth would bear it,
Yet our Lord’s people have that claim—
These few His grace inherit.
The precious name of Christendom
Is made by many a whitewashed tomb,
But dead men’s bones concealing.

2. By rights the Church, God’s realm of grace,
Is known as Universal,
Found in each people, time, and place
Though wide be their dispersal;
As long as earth hath stood and stands
Christ gathers sheep within His hands,
Nor is He ever hindered.

3. In all the earth, it is that place,
Which Christ’s own pledges christen,
Where scattered stand God’s chosen race,
And to the Gospel listen,
Where men are called from sin’s dark haze,
And all the devil’s works and ways,
That they might know salvation.

4. Therefore, the Church’s mark is, first,
As Holy Scripture teaches,
God’s Word, which, in its every verse,
Bears witness to Christ Jesus;
Where it is taught in purity,
God’s flock is found assuredly;
Fruit there cannot but flourish.

5. And where Christ’s good baptismal flood
as He ordained is given,
And His true testament of blood
And body for us riven;—
Where both are taken properly,
And found without all heresy,
God’s Church is surely present.

6. In their obedience to God’s Word
We also find God’s people,—
The mighty limbs of Christ on earth,
God’s temple, house, and steeple.
God hears their prayr’s with certainty,
And they return thanks fittingly,
Confess, and serve Him truly.

7. The cross, His heavy coat of arms,
Christ gives His bride, to wear it,
But by a pledge her heart He charms,
That she shall heav’n inherit.
From Satan’s craft, and works of sin,
Th’ offensive world, and flesh within,
He shall be her protection.

8. Still weeds and tares among the grain
Must here on earth be growing;
False Christians, who in shame remain,
To judgment must be going;
The saints of God one Baptism have,
One faith, one hope, one Lord to save;
To heav’n shall they be gathered.

9. O Jesus Christ, all thanks to Thee,
For each assuring token
By which Thy Holy Church we see,
As in Thy Scripture spoken:
Thy doctrine, brought to light again
By Luther, may Thou pure retain
In this our land forever.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

DANISH

Den Kristelig Kirkes skønne navn
vil hver på Jorden bære,
Guds Folk sig kalde og gjøre af savn
do de det ej monne være;
Papister og den grumme Tyrk
rydser, jøder met Lærdom mørk
Guds kirke sig falsklig kalde.

1. alt. (Grundtvig)
Den kristne kirkes skønne navn
vil overalt man bære,
men Herrens folk, til evigt gavn,
det vil dog få kun være;
sig kirkens navn med uret gav
og giver mangen kalket grav,
som dødningben kun gemmer.)

2. Den Kristelig Kirke kaldes ret
almindelig, tag det vare;
tid, sted, folk, lærdom ikke forgæt,
disse fire det forklare.
Så længe som Verden stod og står,
Guds Søn sig samler lydige får;
hvo vilde hannem det forhindre.

3. Al verden er forvist denne sted,
som Kristus selv kundgjører
i hvilken Guds folk ere atspred
og it [??] Evangelium høre.
Alle menneske kaldes og her til
fra Djævelens gavn og syndsens spil,
at de kunde salig blive.

4. Den Kristelig Kirkes rette tegn,
som Skriften klarlige lærer,
er først Guds ord, som alle vegn
om Jesu vidnesbyrd bærer.
Hvor som det prædikes uden al tant,
Guds menighed findes der forsandt;
uden frugt kan det ej være.

5. Hvor dåbsens Sacrament så god,
som Kristus monne indskikke,
og hans Testamentes Legem og Blod,
som vi skulle æde og drikke;
hvor disse to, de bruges ret
foruden all kætters fund’ og sæt’,
Guds kirke uden tvivl der kjendes.

6. På lydighed imod Guds ord
kan vi og Guds folk mærke,
som ere Guds tempel her på jord
og Kristi lemmer stærke.
Gud hører visselig deres bøn,
og de give hannem taksigelse skøn,
de hannem ret kjende og tjene.

7. Kårset og modgang er for vist
og Kristi bruds hoffarve;
dog trøster du hende, O Jesu Krist
at hun skal himmerig arve;
mod djævelens list og grumme mord,
mod verdsens børns forargelse stor
og kjødet du hende beskærmer.

8. Ukrud og klinte der findes fast
blandt hveden her på jorden;
mundkristne leve i skam og last,
på dommen de afskild vorde.
Guds helgen de have en kraftig dåb,
en Gud, en Herre, en tro, et håb;
i himmerig skulle de samles.

9. Thi takke vi dig, O Jesu Krist,
at på disse tegn og flere
den hellige Kirke kan forvist
bevises blandt os at være.
Din lærdom, som ved Luther igen
til ljuset kom, lad blive ren
altid i disse lande.