Mein Seel erhebt den Herren mein

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Mein Seel erhebt den Herren mein” (S. Pollio, 1525), a metrical paraphrase of the Magnificat appearing in the early Strassburg Kirchenamt. The proper melody from the same Kirchenamt, probably composed by Matthias Greitter, which was evidently widespread and is given here from Zahn.

Mel.: Mein Seel erhebt den Herren mein.
 

MY soul doth magnify my Lord,
 My spirit gladly springeth,
 My Savior praises to afford!
 (So holy Mary singeth)
 He grace did show / His handmaid low,
 With favor did address me,
 Fulfilled in me / His great decree,
 And every age shall bless me!

2 ’Tis He whose name is sanctified
 And filleth with His blessing,
 Those in His mercy who abide
 With faith and fear unceasing;
 The mighty stand, / but by His hand
 Their scattered host is riven;
 He putteth down / the proudest crown,
 They from their seat are driven.

3 The lowly, meek, and hungry still`
 To glory high He raiseth,
 And doth with all good bounties fill,
 And with His pow’r amazeth.
 He sends the rich / without a stitch,
 And them to sorrow leaveth,
 But what is poor / He evermore
 Abundant gladness giveth.

4 The Lord His servant Israel
 Hath holpen, and sustaineth;
 His mercy makes all things end well,
 That His good will ordaineth.
 As He of old / the fathers told
 And pledged to them His favor—
 To Abraham / and all that came
 Forth from his seed, forever!

5 To God the Father, God the Son,
 And God the Holy Spirit
 Be glory while the ages run;
 May we His grace inherit
 Here so to walk / and act and talk
 As honor to Him bringeth!
 Who this would have / shall so receive,
 And heartfelt Amen singeth!

Translation © 2025–6 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Mein Seel erhebt den Herren mein,

mein Geist thut sich erspringen,

in dem er soll mein Heiland sein,

Maria so thut singen:

Mich schlechte Maid, / auch Nichtigkeit

allein hat angesehen,

in mir vollbracht / sein göttlich Macht,

all Gschlecht mich selig jähen.

2 Sein Nam der ist allen bereit,

und thut all Welt ergetzen,

die sich in sein Barmherzigkeit

mit Forcht allzeit thun setzen,

dann sein Gewalt / von ander spalt,

so er sein Arm thut regen,

was Hoffart treibt / kein Gwalt auch bleibt

vom Stuhl thut ers bewegen.

3 Was Demut dult und Hunger hat,

die will er gänzlich speisen,

hoch setzen sie und machen satt,

dami tsein Gwalt beweisen,

die Reichen schon / läßt leer hingon,

thut sie in Trauren setzen,

doch was arm ist, / dem hie gepriest,

will er mit Freud ergetzen.

4 Der Herr nahm an auch seinen Knecht,

den Israel viel Frommen,

Barmherzigkeit die macht das schlecht,

daß er ihn an hat gnommen,

wie ers dann vor / den Vätern zwar

vor langem hat zugeseit,

auch Abraham und was je kam

vom Samn sein in Ewigkeit.

5 Ehr sei dem Vater und dem Sohn

und auch dem heilgen Geiste,

als es im Anfang was und nun,

der uns sein Gnade leiste,

daß wir wandlen / und stets handlen

zu Ehr göttlichem Namen.

Wer das begehrt, / der wird gewährt
und sprech von Herzen: Amen.

Seid voll Glaubens, theure Christen

Here is my translation of the St. Stephen hymn, “Seid voll Glaubens, theure Christen” (Anon., 18th c.?), in GGELB #43 with melody assignment “Freu dich sehr” and ascription to Benjamin Schmolck, omitting stanzas 3, 5, and 6. Fischer has no entry for it. I find it first in the Neues Gesangbuch (Strassburg, 1732, preface by Fröreißen, and later eds.) with title “On St. Stephen’s Day” in 8 stanzas and minimal variants in the text; next in Engelbach’s Girrendes Täublein (Straßburg, 1736, and later eds.). The hymn is little known outside of these Straßburg hymnals, from one of which the committee (Cronenwett, Lehmann, Loy, Schmid, and Herzberger) might well have found it as most apt for the occasion.

 

BE ye full of faith and power,
Christians, like St. Stephen true,
Nor to world and devil cower,
When they rise to frighten you
And take counsel wickedly
Only for iniqity,
That they may not stand before us,
But may see God’s wisdom glorious.

2 Let them lie, and men believe them,
Let them mighty God defame!
Their deceit will soon deceive them,
And their tongue be put to shame.
Should they witness false obtain,
Yet the truth shall true remain:
People’s wills they may be bending,
But their wrath must have an ending.

*3 Jesus will at last confound them,
And their city raze that Day,
When with heaven’s armies round them
They His holy face survey;
They shall see whom they did pierce,
Nor shall stand in judgment fierce;
Therefore let us bear reviling,
Suff’ring without guilt defiling.

4 See, St. Stephen is depicted
Bearing scorn and all distress,
Heavily and sore afflicted
By the foes of righteousness;
Heart and ears uncircumcised,
On they went, nor realized
What they did, stiff-necked, persisting,
And the Spirit e’er resisting.

*5 Prophets oft they persecuted,
Many by their fury died,
That their race should be uprooted,
For they daily prophesied:
Jesus would from heaven come,
Make our vale of tears His home,
And in that dear incarnation
Bear the cross for our salvation.

*6 Stephen with such pow’r replièd,
That it cut them to the heart:
“Jesus, whom ye crucifièd,
In your counsels plays no part.”
Yet, filled with the Spirit, he
Did among the angels see
Jesus at God’s right in splendor,
Who will be the saints’ Defender.
 
7 “Lo, I see the heav’ns unfurlèd,”
Stephen cried with fearless heart,
Till, the stones in volley hurlèd
Made him soon this life depart.
Yet this guilt he them forgave,
Sighing patient till the grave,
“Jesus, now receive my spirit
To Thy keeping, by Thy merit.”

8 Steadfast thus to torment driven,
Stone and death we must endure;
They that would inherit heaven
Face their cross and grief secure.
After suff’rings of this age
Waits the crown and heritage
Granted us by grace and favor
And the hands of Christ our Savior,

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Seid voll Glaubens, theure Christen!
Wie ein treuer Stephanus,
wenn sich Welt und Teufel rüsten,
daß man immer streiten muß,
wenn sie schließen einen Rath
nur zu einer bösen That,
daß sie wider uns nicht stehen,
sondern Gottes Weisheit sehen.

2 Laßt sie immer auf uns lügen,
laßt sie lästern wider Gott,
ihr Betrug wird sie betrügen,
ihre Zunge wird zu Spott.
Stellen sie falsch Zeugnis dar,
bleiebet doch die Wahrheit wahr:
wenn sie schon das Volk bewegen,
muß sich doch ihr Stürmen legen.

*3 Jesus wird dereinst zerstören
ihre Städte beim Gericht;
wenn sie vor den Himmels-chören
sehn sein göttlich Angesicht.
Alle werden auf ihn sehn,
keiner wird vor ihm bestehn;
drum laßt uns die Schmach erdulden,
leiden wir nur ohn verschulden.

4 Seht! Stephanus hat ertragen [Stephanus hat auch…]
alle Schmach und Herzeleid,
alle jene schweren Plagen [Centner-schwere Kreuzes-…]
von den Feinden seiner Zeit,
die an Ohren, Herz und Sinn
liefen unbeschnitten hin,
weil sie ganz halststarrig lebten
und den Geist stets widerstrebten.

*5 Ja, die auch so viel Propheten
bei Verfolgung, Haß und Neid
immerdar gesucht zu töten,
weil sie täglich prophezeit:
Jesus käm vom Himmelszelt
hier auf diese Jammerwelt;
und, nachdem er endlich kommen,
wird er an das Kreuz genommen.

*6 Stephanus hat auch geredet, [hat so]
daß es ihnen ging durchs Herz:
Jesus, den ihr habt getötet,
(sprach er) ist euch nur ein Scherz:
doch, da er voll Geistes war,
sah er bei der Engelschaar
Jesum stehn zu Gottes Rechten,
der die seinen will verfechten.

7 Ach! ich seh den Himmel offen!
rief er, voller Freudigkeit,
bis ihn so viel Stein getroffen,
daß er endet seine Zeit.
Doch vergab er diese Schuld,
seufzete nur mit Geduld:
Jesu! nimm jetzt an dem Ende
meinen Geist in deine Hände.

8 So standhaftig muß man sterben
und erdulden Stein und Tod;
denn, wer will den Himmel erben,
achte weder Kreuz noch Noth.
Nach dem Leiden dieser Zeit
ist die Krone schon bereit,
die uns dort in jenem Leben
Jesus will aus Gnaden geben.

Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut

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.

Gebenedeit sei Gott der Herr

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,
His lowly flock in sin that 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.

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.