Der übergroße Wundermann

Here is my translation of the Trust and Comfort hymn, “Der übergroße Wundermann” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #31 for Epiphany IV (Gospel: “Matt. 8:23–27), with melody assignment: “Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr” and double dagger (‡) indicating Henkel’s authorship. An English adaptation appears in the The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) as “When the Distressed Disciples Were,” in 7 stanzas of Common Meter, which I include below for comparison.

 

THE mighty, wonder-working Man,
Who has all in His power,
And with a single utt’rance can
Make wind and wave to cower,
And be obedient as He will;
The sea as His command is still
And leaves off all his raging.

2 By storm and wind upon the sea
His foll’wers’ boat was shaken;
It frightened them so terribly
Their hope was well-nigh taken:
Then in their anguish they did cry,
Lord Jesus, save us, or we die
And speedily must perish!

3 The heart, when as a vessel tossed
By sin’s great storm and welter,
And world and Satan it accost,
Finds harbor yet and shelter
When to the Lord in faith it cries:
He doth a ready way devise
That it may be delivered.

4 When billows would our boat o’erwhelm
And it begins to founder,
The Savior wakens at the helm
And lets no man go under.
He certainly will help with speed,
That we may not remain in need,
Nor be destroyed forever.

5 However small our faith may be,
Yea, though it oft may waver,
Yet we can know most certainly
And boldly venture ever
To go to Jesus without out fear
And seek His help with hearty cheer:
He certainly will save us.

6 Therefore we flee in every plight
To Jesus’ mercy solely,
Who quickly threatens Satan’s might
And helps us people lowly
In tribulation firm to stand,
And walk the way of God’s command
And never from it wander.

7 Lord Jesus, since the church on earth
A little ship abideth,
Within her ever keep Thy berth
When stormy blast betideth:
Then hold her rudder firm, we pray,
And steer her in the wisest way,
The proper course to follow.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

When the distressed disciples were
On raging billows tossed,
Their mind were filled with dread and fear
They gave themselves for lost.

2 But O, how soon the seas obeyed!
When Jesus spake on board;
How soon her blasts and storms were laid
At his commanding word.

3 When troubles like the swelling waves
Oppress our feeble mind,
Yet when we cry, O Savior save!
Deliv’rance we shall find.

4 Should we be drove by wind and tide!
And beaten from the cape;
The Lord will ever more provide
A way for our escape.

5 Our faith, however weak it is!
We shall not quite despair;
The Lord who gave his promises
Will always hear our prayer.

6 Dear Lord, since thy dear church below
Is like a ship on sea,
Which oft is driven to and fro
In much perplexity.

7 Calm Thou her mind in all alarm
And aid her weak effort,
Conduct her safe through every storm
To reach the happy port.

GERMAN

Der übergroße Wundermann,
dem alles liegt zu Füßen,
der auch mit einem Worte kann
das Meer in Grenzen schließen!
der macht gehorsam wie er will
auf sein Befehl muß werden still
das Meer mit seinem Wüthen.

2 Die Sturm und Winde auf dem Meer,
das Schiff der Jünger jagten,
bracht sie in Schrecken gar so sehr,
bis daß sie schier verzagten;
da schrieen sie in ihrer Noth,
Herr Jesu, rett uns vom Tod,
der uns nun gar so nahe.

3 Das Herze wie ein Schiff gejagt,
wann Welt und Satan stürmen,
daß sehr geängstigt und geplagt,
das findet Schutz und Schirmen:
wanns nur zu Jesu gläubig schreit,
so hat er schon den Weg bereit,
dasselbe zu erretten.

4 Wann Wellen unser Schifflein deckt
bis es fäng an zu sinken,
so ist der Heiland leicht geweckt,
und läßt uns nicht ertrinken.
Gewiß er wird uns bald beistehn,
daß wir nicht können untergehn,
noch ewiglich verderben.

5 Ist unser Glaube noch so klein,
daß wir oft schier verzagen;
doch können wir versichert sein,
wir dürfens kühnlich wagen:
daß wir getrost zu Jesu gehn
und ihn getrost um Hilfe flehn!
gewiß er wird uns retten.

6 Drum fliehen wir in aller Noth
zu Jesu um Erbarmen,
der bald des Satans Macht bedroht,
und schaffet daß wir Armen,
auch in Anfechtung feste stehn,
auch stets in Gottes Wege gehn,
und auch darin beharren.

7 Herr Jesu, weil die Kirche hier,
gleich wie ein Schifflein bleibet,
drum sei du selber stets in ihr
wann sie der Sturmwind treibet:
dann halte du das Ruder fest,
und lenke sie aufs allerbest,
den rechten Gang zu gehen.