Die Erd und was sich auf ihr regt

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase, “Die Erd und was sich auf ihr regt” (Cornelius Becker, d. 1604), based on Psalm XXIV, Domini est terra, to be sung to the melody “Nun höret zu ihr Christen Leut,” a contrafact of a song telling of a battle, recast for a Lutheran hymn on the struggle of the flesh and the spirit. Here the text relates thematically to Advent and the Ascension. Vierling (Biblia, 722) writes, “It is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ to come in all the world, and exhorts the gates of the world, that is, kings and princes, to make room for the kingdom of Christ (v. 8) for they are they that most rage against it (Ps. 2:2), saying, ‘He is this King of Glory?’ (v. 9), as if to say, ‘The beggar, yea, the heretic, the robber—shall He be King, and we yield us and hearken unto Him? We will not do so,’ &c. So herewith it announces also that the Word of God shall be condemned and persecuted. It pertains to the First Commandment, and indeed to all three Commandments [of the first table] and Petitions [of the Lord’s Prayer].” I include a form of the melody from the Bohemian Brethren and two images form 17th c. Lutheran hymnals.

 

 

 

THE earth and all it doth enfold
Is God’s, whose hands all things uphold;
And his foundations laid of old;
He on the seas did found it,
And with the seas surround it.

2 Lord, who upon Thy hill shall stand,
A cit’zen of Thy holy land?
He that is clean in heart and hand,
Nor swears a promise hollow,
Nor teacher false will follow.

3 His is the blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness for his reward;
God through His Son doth bliss afford!
The godly generation
Shall seek the Lord’s salvation.

4 Lift up the gates both far and near,
Let all be set to serve and fear
The Lord and King who enters here!
Who is the King of Glory?
Lo, we shall sing His story!

5 The Lord in battle mighty He,
Who for us gains the victory,
He holds the field eternally.
The Lord of hosts we name Him
And as our Savior claim Him.

6 Lift up the gates both far and near,
Let all be set to serve and fear
The Lord and Kign who enters here!
He is the King of Glory!
Him praise we and adore we!

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

1  Die Erd und was ſich auf ihr regt,
Iſts Herren der ſie hält und trägt,
Er hat ihrs Bodens Grund gelegt,
An Waſſern feſt bereitet,
Das Meer um ſie geleitet.

2  Wer wird, HERR auff dem Berge dein
An heiligr Stedt dein Bürger ſeyn?
Wer ſein Herzt helt von Sünden rein,
Kein trüglich Eyd nicht ſchweret,
Folgt keinem, der falſch lehret.

3  Er wird den Segen erben ſchon,
Gerechtigkeit empfahn zu Lohn,
Und Heil von Gott durch ſeinen Sohn.
Mit fleis der frommen Gſchlechte
Fragt nach des HErren Rechte.

4  Macht auff die Thor in aller Welt,
Zu Dienſt und Ehr alls wol beſtellt
Dem König, der ſein Einzug helt
Wer iſt der Köng der Ehren?
Sein Lob wolln wir vermehren.

5  Es iſt der HERR mächtig im Streit,
Der für uns ſtets zu Felde leit,
Erhelt den Sieg zu jeder Zeit,
Herr Zebaoth ſein Name,
Wir ſind ſein heilger Same.

6  Macht auf die Thor in aller Welt,
Zu Dienſt und Ehr alls wohlbeſtellt,
Dem König, der ſein Einzug helt,
Er iſt der Köng der Ehren,
Sein Lob laſſt uns vermehren.