Dein Trost, Herr Christe, pflanz du fort

Here is my translation of the Pentecost hymn, “Dein Trost, Herr Christe, pflanz du fort” (asc. Bartholomäus Helder, d. 1635), in ELGB #176, from the Cantionale Sacrum 1646 (1651) with 4-voice setting by Helder, hence the ascription of the text to Helder. Wetzel, VI, p. 271, also ascribes it to Helder, noting that it was still present in the Gotha Gsb 1702, but also that B. Helder was known to have published under his name some hymns of his father, Johann Helder. I give the setting from the Gotha Cantionale, but also Zahn’s melody, which notes that the C in the first line does not agree with the harmony, and suggests an alternate Bb. The Buffalo Synod hymnal, however, suggests “Wenn wir in höchsten Nöthen sein.”

 

THY comfort spread--, O Christ our Lord!
Who hears and keeps--- Thy Holy Word
Shall, justified--, salvation gain,
And come not into hellish pain.

2 This cannot be by man begun,
But by the Holy Ghost is done;
Oh, deign to give Him graciously
To all that have true love for Thee.

3 So, Lord, we ask of all things most:
Give us this Love and Holy Ghost,
With heav’nly joy our soul to fill,
And lead us ever in Thy will.

4 That we, thus strengthened in Thy Light,
Turn not aside to left or right,
But in the true faith heav’nward come
To Thee, and dwell within Thy home.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Deinn Trost Herr Christe, pflanz Du fort
wer hört und hält Dein göttlich Wort,
der soll gerecht und selig sein,
und nicht kommen in höllisch Pein.

2 Dies aber kann geschehn nicht,
wenns nicht der heilig Geist verricht,
denselben aber wollst Du gebn,
allen die herzlich Dich thun liebn.

3 Drum bitten wir, Herr, allermeist,
gieb uns solch Lieb und heilgen Geist,
der uns erfüll mit seiner Freud,
und stets nach Gottes Willen leit.

4 Daß wir gestärkt in Deinem Licht,
vom rechten Glauben weichen nicht,
sondern zu Dir im Himmel Dein,
in Deine Wohnung treten ein.