Dein Jesus rufet dich zur Buße

 Here is my translation of the Repentance hymn “Dein Jesus rufet dich zur Buße” (Anon., 1727?), from Ev.-Luth. Gesangbuch #367, an invitation to Confession, perhaps designed to be sung during the weekday services prior to Saturday Confession. Fischer confirms its anonymous status, finding the earliest instance in the Silesian Haus- und Kirchen-Gsb (Breslau, 1734), p. 737. By a little research, I am able to provide a slightly earlier date: The Silesian Gsb 1727, printed in Breslau/Liegnitz, with a foreword by then sainted Rev. Caspar Neumann, hymnwriter (d. 1715). If his, it would adjust the date of composition. Another possibility would of course be prolific Benjamin Schmolck (d. 1737). The appointed melody in the early instances is “Gottlob, es geht nunmehr zu Ende” or “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” The Wisconsin hymnal appoints only the latter.

THY Jesus calls thee to confession:
Come, bring thy heart with sin bowed low;
Come, at His feet lay thy transgression;
Let Him thy soul’s contrition know,
Which by His Law He works within
When we feel sorrow for our sin.

2 Thy Jesus calls thee to believing
With Gospel words of sweetest tone,
And wills that thou may’st be receiving
The grace to be His very own,
That blessings by His precious Word
On thee may ever be conferred.

3 Therefore renew my mind, dear Jesus;
Make Thou my heart all free from stain!
The thing which Thee most truly pleases
Let me but undertake again,
And help me, in accord with Thee,
Right faith to have and pure to be.

Translation © 2022 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Dein Jesus rufet dich zur Buße;
komm, bring dein armes herz herbei;
komm, falle ihm doch bald zu Fuße,
und zeig ihm deiner Seele Reu,
die das Gesetz in uns erregt,
wenn man Leid über Sünde trägt.

2 Dein Jesus ruft dich auch zum Glauben
durchs süße Evangelium,
und will aus Gnaden dir erlauben, [und will nunmehro…]
zu werden ganz sein Eigenthum,
daß du nun durch sein werthes Wort
sollst selig werden hier und dort. [sollt…]

3 So ändre, Jesu! meine Sinnen,
und schaff in mir das Herze rein;
laß mich von neuem nur beginnen,
was dir, mein jesu! lieb kann sein,
und hilf, daß ich nach deinem Sinn
recht gläubig und auch heilig bin.