Preis, Ehr und Lob dem höchsten Gott

Here is my translation of the doxology stanza, “Preis, Ehr und Lob dem höchsten Gott” (Anon.), in ELGB #427, first appearing, according to Fischer, in Etliche Lieder, Gepet und Psalmen (Nuremberg, ca. 1546), later with various alteration in various hymnals, e.g., Strassburg 1568, Frankfurt 1570, Keuchenthal 1573. There is interestingly no dative attributing praise to the Son specifically, though He is of course included in the general term “Gott” in the first line. In the Buffalo Synod hymnal, the stanza appears by itself with the title: “Doxology to be sung with the hymn: ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,’ and also in other instances,” such as, presumably, “O Jesu einig wahres Haupt”; also from the Wisconsin hymnal, “Mein fester Fels und starker Hort” and “Wenn Christus seine Kirche schützt.”

TO God Most High all glory be,
Our Father kind in heaven,
Who to repair our injury
In love His Son hath given:
And to the Comforter,
Who from sin makes [us]* pure,
To the kingdom draws,
And heaven’s pathway shows.
May He assist us! Amen.

*For the longer form of the meter, in line 6 the word “us” is inserted.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Preis, Ehr und Lob dem höchsten Gott,
dem Vater aller Gnaden:
der uns aus Lieb gegeben hat
seinn Sohn für unsern Schaden:
dem Tröster heilgem Geist,
von Sünd Er uns reißt,
zum Reich Er uns heißt,
den Weg zum Himmel weist,
der helf uns fröhlich, Amen.

Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein

Here is my translation of “Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein,” an Eastertide carol based on a pre-Reformation Latin song, Resurrexit Dominus. I take my version from Keuchenthal’s cantional of 1573 (the melody appears in Spangenberg’s Christlich Gesangbuchlein… 1568). The easy, familiar tune differs slightly from the later settings by Praetorius, etc.

REJOICE we all this Easter-tide!
For He is living who had died,
And all our wrongs are rectified.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
  Alleluia, Alleluia,
To Christ, Son of Mary, all glory be!

2. For Jesus, who endured our pain
Upon the cross, is ris’n again
All praise and glory His remain!
Alleluia…

3. The gates of hell He hath laid low,
And loosed the captives from the foe,
Now from eternal death we go!
Alleluia…

4. All laud and honor now be done
 To God the Father’s only Son
Who Paradise for us hath won.
Alelluia…

5. Let all the Church then joyful be
And praise the Holy Trinity
This Easter and eternally.
Alleluia…

Translation © 2014 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein,
in dieser Osterlichen Zeit,
denn unser Heil an Gotte leit,
Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja,
Gelobet sei Christus, Marien Sohn.

2. Es ist erstanden Jesus Christ,
der an dem Kreuz gestorben ist,
dem sei Lob, Ehr zu aller Frist.
Halleluja…

3. Er hat zerstört die Hölle Pfort,
und alle die seinen heruas geführt,
und uns erlöst vom ewigen Tod,
Halleluja…

4. Wir singen all Lob, Ehr, und Preis
dem einigen Gottes Sohne weis,
der uns erkauft das Paradeis,
Halleluja…

5. Es freu sich all die Christenheit,
und lob die heilige Dreifaltigkeit,
von nu an bis in Ewigkeit,
Halleluja…

Summe Rex Christe (Summi regis archangele)

Here is my translation of the Sequence for Michaelmas according to Keuchenthal, et al (1573), as corrected by Bonnus from the original Latin (probably of Alcuin or Notker). The corrections in the middle and end represent quite a departure, and distort the meter of the original. I have restored that meter in the translation, but followed Bonn’s sense. I include the Latin in corrected form and original below.
 
 CHRIST, HIGH King of all the angel company!
1b. We beseech Thee, hear our voices raised to Thee.

2a. Thee we confess o’er every other,
The Head of all the heav’nly progeny;
2b. Oh, intercede before Thy Father
To send us help in need and misery.

3a. By the Father Thou art given
As a Prince all pow’r from heaven
Sinful souls to save, and to deliver us.
3b. We beseech Thee, who hast made us:
Send Thy holy hosts to aid us
Let them hedge us round about and cover us,

4a. Lest the world and Satan
Have the pow’r to do us harm,
And from the one true faith our spirit charm;
4b. But Thy Word let prosper,
And be taught in truth aright,
As it is taught before God’s holy sight.

5a. Guard us by Thine angels’ keeping,
In waking and in sleeping,
Keep our hearts humble all,
Lest in presumption we should slip and fall,
5b. As of old the wicked devil
With all his spirits evil
Fell from their heav’nly claim,
And angels good foul demons thus became.

6a. Hear us, O Christ, true God,
Mighty Redeemer:
From every wicked plot
And the deceiver
Keep and preserve us ’neath Thy shelt’ring wing
Through the true angels who forever sing,
6b. “Salvation to the King,
Our Lord forever!”
Our highest thanks we bring
To God the Father,
Who gave us wretches Christ, and in life’s ill
By all His holy angels keeps us still,——and forever.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

LATIN (BONNUS)

1a. Summe Rex Christe Angelorum omnium.
1b. Intende quaesumus nostris precibus.

2a. Te namque profitemur esse
supernorum civium Principem.
2b. Tu Patrem obsecrà pro nobis
ut mittat auxilium miseris.

3a. Principalis est potestas
a Patre tibi donata,
peccantes salvificare animas.
3b. Ut jubeas, petimus,
Angelos sanctos pro nobis
agere excubias omni tempore,

4. Ne quid Satan et mundus
nocere nobis possint,
in his quae sunt verae fidei.
4b. Et ut tuum verbum
feliciter recteque doceatur,
tanquam in conspectu Dei.

5a. Fac ut Angelorum praesidio
servemur in humilitate spiritus,
ne in praesumptionem prolabamur.
5b. Sic enim pravi spiritus
e coelis olim ceciderunt, 
ex Angelis bonis mali facti Daemones.

6a. Audi nos, Christe redemptor,
et defende nos
contra fallaces
horum insidias,
per Angelos pios, qui semper canunt,
6b. Laus sit Regi Domino.
Agimus summas coelesti
gratias Patri, qui Christum
pro nobis dedit,
et per sanctos Angelos
tuetur nos miseros in tantis malis hujus vitae.

LATIN (ORIGINAL)

1a. Summi Regis archangele Michahel
1b. Intende quaesumus nostris precibus.

2a. Te namque profitemur esse
 supernorum principem civium.
2b. Tu Deum obsecra pro nobis
 ut mittat auxilium miseris.

3a. Principalis est potestas
 a Domino tibi data
peccantes salvificare animas.
3b. Idem tenes perpetuo
 principatum paradisi
omnes civis te honorant superi.

4a. Tu in templo Dei
turibulum aureum
visus es habuisse manibus.
4b. Inde scandens vapor
aromatum plurimus
pervenit ante conspectum Dei.

5a. Quando cum dracone magnum
perfecisti proelium
faucibus illius
animas abstraxisti plurimas.
5b. Hinc maximum agebatur
in caelo selentium
milia milium
dicebant salus regi Domino.

6a. Audi nos, Michahel,
angele summe
huc parum descende
de poli sede
nobis ferendo opem Domini
atque levamen indulgentiae
6b. Tu nostros Gabrihel
hostes prosterne;
tu Raphahel, aegris
affer medelam,
morbos absterge, noxas minue,
nosque fac interesse gaudiis (7.)  beatorum.

O ewiger, barmherziger Gott

Here is my translation of the Kyrie Cunctipotens Genitor trope as given by the Bohemian Brethren in Thamm, et al., Kirchengeseng (1566) and reproduced by Keuchenthal in his Kirchengesenge (1573), where the German trope, perhaps in view of the emphasis on the Spirit on the extended ninth petition, is appointed for Pentecost (the Greek of the same tone is there called the Kyrie Angelicum and appointed for Epiphanytide). The same appointment is found in Thamm. The German follows the Latin to a fair extent, though the phrasing is markedly different in the Bohemian. Note that as usual with the Bohemian vernacular tropes, there is not attempt to preserve the Greek eleison (or Kyrie), but it is paraphrased in diverse ways throughout. The notes are representative of the Kyrie as found in northern manuscripts, especially before the 19th century codification by the Solesmes group concretized the simpler southern version.

O ETERNAL God of graciousness,
For Thy goodness Thee we bless,
Which to us Thou ever show'st
In the wonders which Thou dost.
1b.   Thou hast had regard for all our need,
As a gracious God indeed,
And through Thy beloved Son,
Grace and full redemption won.
1c.   We this day, by Him redeemed, therefore
With all confidence implore
That with Him Thou wouldest be
One in mind and piety.

2a. Christ, the blessed Fruit Thou art,
Conceived beneath a virgin heart,
Who didst give
Thine own life, that we may live:
2b. Thou hast suffered death and hell
For all our sins so great and fell,
Patiently
Paid for all our guilt in Thee.
2c. O Lord Jesus Christ, since Thou
Art seated high in heaven now,
To us send
Thy good Spirit, us to tend.

3a. O Holy Spirit, God and Lord,
Help in need afford,
Kindly let Thy gifts on us be poured.
3b. O come at last, Thou Fire divine,
Hearts renew, refine,
Purge the former leaven, make us Thine.

3c. Renew in mercy our spirit,
Restore, repair it:
Direct our life and behavior
To meet Thy favor.
For on Thee, Lord, do we depend forever:
Thine the glory, God and Lord,
Ever blessèd and adored.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN
1a. O ewiger, barmherziger Gott,
wir danken dir der Wohlthat,
die du uns erzeiget hast,
und aller Werk so du thust.
1b. Du hast angesehn all unser Not,
als ein genädiger Gott,
uns durch deinen lieben Sohn,
Gnad und Erlösung gethan.
1c. Sintemal er uns nun hat erlöst,
so bitten wir auch getrost,
daß du uns wolltest mit ihm
verfügen in einen Sinn.

2a. Christe, benedeite Frucht,
empfangen rein in aller Zucht,
dein Leben
hast du für uns gegeben,
2b. Du hast erlitten den Tod,
für unser Sünd und Missethat,
mit Geduld
bezahlet all unser Schuld.
2c. Ey, nun, Herre Jesu Christ,
weil du oben im Himmel bist,
send uns herab
den Geist in heilsamer Gab.

3a. O Heiliger Geist, wahrer Gott,
sieh an unser Not,
und erfüll uns mit dein Gaben aus Genad.
3b. O komm du Göttlicher Feuer,
Herzen-Verneuer,
und feg uns von allem alten Gesäuer.
3c. Verneu auch unser Gemüte,
durche deine Güte.
Regier unser ganzes Leben,
und mach dirs eben.
Denn wir uns dir ganz und gar übergeben:
Deinem Namen,
Herre Gott, zu ewigem Preis. Amen.

LATIN
1a Cunctipotens genitor
Deus omni-creator : eleison.
b Salvificet pietas
tua nos bone rector : eleison.
c Fons et origo bone
pie luxque perhennis : eleison.

2a Christe dei splendor virtus
patrisque sophia : eleison
b Plasmatis humanis factor
lapsis reparator : eleison
c Ne tua damnatur Jesu
factura benigne : eleison

3a Amborum sacrum spiramen
nexus amorque : eleison
b Procedens fomes vite fons
purificans vis : eleison
c Indultor [Purgator] culpe venie
largitor optime offensas
dele sacro nos munere reple : eleison
Spirite alme : eleison

Heiliger ewiger Gott

Here is my translation of a hymn originally written as a vernacular Sanctus for Holy Trinity among the Bohemian Brethren, beginning "Heiliger, ewiger Gott…" (P. Herbert, 1531, 1566; see Kirchengesenge, 1588, fol. 104), which is also included in Keuchenthal's Kirchengesenge (1573), pp. 383–385, where it is appointed as the Sanctus for the feast of the Holy Trinity. The tune seems to be a modal variation on that of the ancient office hymn.

HOLY EVERLASTING GOD,
Holy Lord of Saboath
Holy, blessed Trinity,
Thine the glory ever be.

2. Father, Son, and Spirit, God,
Now receive our praise and laud;
Filled be earth from deep to height
With Thy glory, pow’r, and might.

3. FATHER of Christ Jesus, Lord,
God our Maker thrice adored,
Who uphold'st us by Thine hand,
Thine be thanks in every land.

4. Thou who sent’st Thy dearest Son
From Thy lofty heav’nly throne
To us in this vale of grief
To bring Adam’s sons relief:

5. Let us all, from high to low,
Thee and Jesus only know;
Thy Beloved grant, that we
May in Him accepted be.

6. JESUS Christ, Eternal Word,
Image of the Father, Lord,
His eternal Wisdom, Son,
Evermore Begotten One.

7. Unbegotten Deity
Essence from division free,
Yet in person Thou alone
Art the everlasting Son.

8. Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee
Who a Man didst deign to be
To redeem man’s nature lost:
Save us by Thy precious cost.

9. HOLY GHOST, Thou Comfort fair,
Who from both proceedest e’er,
Equal glory is Thy due:
Make our heart and mind anew.

10. Stir within us godly fear,
Let our heart Thy Word revere,
Grant anointing by Thy pow’r,
Stay Thy Church at every hour.

11. Sanctify us and bestow
That we in Thy way may go;
And in Jesus’ righteousness
Come to heaven by Thy grace.

12. God who art in person three,
Yet in substance Unity,
Undivided, very God,
Ever Thine be praise and laud.

13. Hear us, Holy Majesty,
As we lift our pray’r to Thee
In Thy name: oh, kindly deign
To reply Amen, Amen.

Translation © 2012 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Heiliger, ewiger Gott,
Heiliger Herr Zebaoth,
Heilige Dreifaltigkeit,
Dir sei Lob in Ewigkeit.

2. Gott Vater, Gott Sohn und Geist,
werd von uns herrlich gepreist:
alle Land, Berge und Thal,
werden deiner Ehren voll.

3. Vater des Herrn Jesu Christ,
der du unser Schöpfer bist,
und erhältst uns von Anfang:
Dir sagen wir Lob und Dank.

4. Der du hast dein lieben SOhn,
gesandt vom himmlischen Thron,
zu uns in den Jammerthal,
aufzurichten Adams all.

5. O laß uns beid groß und klein,
dich und ihn kennen allein,
und das ewig Leben han:
nimm uns im Geliebten an.

6. Christe, du ewiges Wort,
des Vaters Bild, Gott von Art,
Seine ewige Weisheit,
geboren von Ewigkeit.

7. Ungeborn ist die Gottheit,
im Wesen kein Unterscheid:
sondern nach deiner Person
bistu sein ewiger Sohn.

8. Wir danken dir, Jesu Christ,
der du ein Mensch worden bist,
hast erlöst Menschlich Natur:
Hilf uns, deiner Kreatur.

9. Heiliger Geist, höchster Trost,
von beiden dein Ausgang hast,
gleicher Herrlichkeit und Güt,
verneu unser alt Gemüt.

10. Erweck in uns Gottesfurcht,
daß dass Herz deim Wort gehorcht,
und salb uns mit deiner Kraft,
sei mit uns, dein Gemeinschaft.

11. Heilig und richt uns auch an,
daß wir gehn auf rechter Bahn,
in Christi Gerechtigkeit
erlangen die Seligkeit.

12. Gott in Person dreifaltig,
aber im Wesen einig,
unzerteilter, wahrer Gott,
Dir sei Lob, Ehr früh und spat.

13. Erhör dies unser Gebet,
O Göttliche Majestät,
Welchs wir thun in deim Namen;
sprich drauf gnädiglich, Amen.