Wohl mag der sein ein selig Mann

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase, “Wohl mag der sein ein selig Mann” (Cornelius Becker, d. 1604), based on Psalm XLI, Beatus qui intelligit, with melody assignment “Wohl dem, der in Gottes Furcht steht.” Of the psalm itself, Vierling (Biblia, 737) writes,

It is a psalm of supplication, in which Christ Himself prophesies and laments his betrayer, Judas, with his fellows, by whom He would be crucified (v. 10), and prays that he may be raised up from death and exalted before God’s face at the right hand (v. 11). But it is extremely comforting that He makes Himself as a sinner in verse 5, when He was without all sin, for He stands and speaks in our person, and bears our sins as though they were His and as if He had done them Himself. But He begins by praising those who take up the cause of the needy (v. 2–3), that is who are not offended at the wretched, crucified “Sinner,” Jesus Christ, but remain firm in Him. For it is more offensive to believe that such a poor, condemned “Sinner” should be so highly lifted up as to sit on teh right hand of God. It is at this that all Jewry took such offense that they still lie broken and scattered, or as it says in verse 11, have been requited by Him.

 

WELL may that man be blest indeed
Who doth consider him in need;
God’s blessing is prepared for him,
And he is saved in th’ evil time.

2 The Lord preserves him body and soul,
Keeps him in life and vigor whole,
He shall be blest upon the earth,
For great in God’s sight is his worth.

3 Though him his enemies would kill,
He is not given to their will,
God gives him strength, and him relieves
When on his sickbed sore he grieves.

4 I said, Have mercy, Lord, on me;
I own my gross iniquity,
I’ve sinned against Thee, Thee deplored;
Oh, heal my soul, my God and Lord!

5 Mine enemies speak ill of me,
My life fills them with agony,
They hope my life may soon be o’er,
And that my name may be no more.

6 They come to see, yet within
Their thoughts are enmity and sin;
They seek the opportunity
To rid them of me utterly.

7 Their hearts are set to calumnize,
Against me they my hurt devise;
Whatever ill may me be done,
That they endeavor, all and one.

8 An evil counsel they have made,
Whereat they revel and are glad,
And say: Now that he fallen lies,
He surely shall no more arise.

9 Mine own familiar friend, the same
Who ate my bread, my foe became;
Beneath his feet he trampled me
And traitor turned all treach’rously.

10 Have mercy on Thy servant, Lord,
And raise me up, them to reward!
By this Thy favor I will know:
When I see no triumphant foe.

11 Thou me uphold’st for faithfulness,
And sett’st me e’er before Thy face;
Blest be the Lord of majesty,
From age to age, eternally!

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Wohl mag der ſeyn ein ſelig Mann,
Der ſich nimbt des Dürfftigen an,
Ihm iſt Segen von Gott bereit,
Er wird errett zur böſen Zeit.

2  Der HErr Leib und Seel ihm bewart,
Friſch und geſund beym Leben ſpart,
Ihm muß wohlgehn auff dieſer Erd,
Weil Gott ihn helt im Hertzen werth.

3  Ob ihm gleich ſeine Feind nachſtehn,
Muß doch nicht nach ihrm Wille gehn,
Gott ihn erquicket und errett,
Wenn er ligt kranck und ſiech zu Bett.

4  Ich ſprach: Ach HErr, erzeig mir Gnad,
Denn ich bekenn mein Miſſethat,
An dir hab ich geſündigt ſchwer,
Heil meine Seel, o Gott mein Herr.

5  Die Feind reden mir ubel nach,
Mein langes Leben iſt ihr Plag,
Sie hoffen all auff meinen Tod,
Und daß mein werd zu Spott.

6  Sie kommen und beſuchen mich,
Und meinens doch im Hertzen nicht,
Sie ſchawen auff Gelegenheit,
Mich außzutragen weit und breit.
    
7  Auff Leſterung ſie bfleiſſen ſich,
Sie dencken Böſes wieder mich,
Was mir zu Leid geſchehen kan,
Da ſtehn ſie all für einen Man.

8  Es iſt beſchloſſen uber mich
Ein Bubenſtück, des frewn ſie ſich,
Und ſprechen: Wenn er einmal ligt,
Soll er gewiß auffſtehen nicht.

9  Auch dem ich mich vertraut, mein Freund
Der mein Brot aß, wird jetzt mein Feind,
Unter die Füße tritt er mich,
Und gibt mich hin verräterlich.

10  HErr ſey genädig deinem Knecht,
Hilffſtu mir auff, ich zahl ſie recht,
Dabey werd ich dein Gnad wol ſpürn,
Wenn mein Feind nicht mus jubilirn.

11  Umb mein Frömkeit HErr mich erheltſt,
Für dein Antlitz mich ewig ſtellſt,
HErr unſer Gott gelobt allzeit
Von nun an biß in Ewigkeit.