Gott, der da reich ist

Here is my adaptation of the liturgical song for Apostles’ days and other feasts, “Gott, der da reich ist” (Anon., 1526? or 1634), in ELGB #253, a quotation of Ephesians 2:4–5, 7, first appearing, according to Schöberlein, in the Erfurt Deutsch Kirchenamt 1526, though Zahn says he is not familiar with this. Zahn gives the melody from Erfurt Geistliche Lieder 1634, with others’ variants, and from the Gotha Cantional, which does not have repeats, and so is not the likeliest source for the Buffalo Synod hymnal’s text; there, it is given the title “Conclusion,” i.e., of the service. No music is indicated in our hymnal, and the text is ascribed to the translator, Luther. In form it is a scriptural responsory of sorts, though Zahn does not indicate the repeats. Presumably, the repeated part might well be sung by a second choir in the places indicated.

 

 

GOD, who is rich in mercy,
for His great love wherewith He loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(for His great love wherewith He loved us,)
That He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace through Christ Jesus,
(for His great love wherewith He loved us.)

Adaptation & engraving © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Gott, der da reich ist an Barmherzigkeit,
durch seine große Liebe, damit er uns geliebt hat,
die wir tot waren in Sünden, hat er uns mit Chistus lebendig gemacht,
durch seine große Liebe, damit er uns geliebt hat,
zu erweisen den überschwenglichen Reichtum seiner Gnade durch Jesus Christ,
durch seine große Liebe, damit er uns geliebt hat.