Gleichwie die Gfangnen aus Zion

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase, “Gleichwie die Gfangnen aus Zion” (Burkard Waldis, d. 1553), based on Psalm CXXXVII, Super flumina Babylonis, with title “Psalm of supplication that God would root out the persecutors and despisers of His church and protect and deliver His own in the true divine service.” The melody by Waldis is clearly inspired by Psalm Tone If, which essentially forms the first two measures. I account this one of the paraphrases written during his imprisonment.

 

AS Zions people once in chains
By godless hordes were taken
And made to suffer grievous pains
In Babylon, forsaken,
In mock’ry bidden were to sing
A song, their God adoring,
E’en as of yore their harps would ring,
Their mouths His praise outpouring:

2 So must the holy church today
Be ridiculed and scornèd,
And in her fever and dismay
Depart, nor much be mournèd,
Nor may among the godless horde
Praise God with due thanksgiving
For grace and comfort and His Word—
So that her heart is grieving.

3 Jerusalem, God’s flock art thou,
Should I forget thee ever?
Though here we to our beaters bow,
And evils are spared never,
And by th’ ungodly are suppressed—
Despite their force compelling,
God’s Word by us shall be confessed
While earth is yet our dwelling.

4 O Lord, rebuke the Edomites
In righteous indignation,
Who wish upon the Isr’elites
All woe and devastation!
O raze it, raze it—so they say—
Let them be burned with fire,
Until they all are wiped away,
Nor grant them their desire!

5 O Babylon, thou ruin, heed!
Thou oft hast us berated,
Mocked, and assailed in word and deed;
Thou shalt be compensated:
Accurst shall be thine every son
Who ’gainst God’s Word is striving,
Thy children dashed against the Stone,
Till they no more are living.

¶ So shall God judge all flesh below,
For each his meed preparing
Who in this age with pious glow
His Word blaspheme uncaring.
So let us thanks Him for His grace,
Expecting soon our Savior,
And pray Him keep us in His ways,
And all His saints deliver!

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver

GERMAN

Gleichwie die gfangnen auß Zion,
Von den Gottlosen rotten,
Musten leiden in Babylon,
Daß sies schimpfflich verspotten,
Sprachen, sie solten Gott zu Ehrn,
Ein newes Liedlin singen,
Wie sie daheym gewonet wern,
Auff haprffen lassen klingen.

2 So muß die heylig Kirch auch jetz
Hon und verachtung leiden:
In trubniß und in jamers hitz,
Von der welt abgescheyden.
Dörffen nicht Gottes ires horts
Bein Gottlosen gedencken.
Seinr gnaden, trostes und seins worts,
Das möcht ir hertz wol krencken.

3 Jerusalem du Gotts gemeyn,
Solt ich dem so vergessen:
Ob wir gleich hie verstossen sein,
Alls ubel zugemessen.
Von dem Gottlosen undertruckt,
Sol in nit gschencket werden.
Gotts wort bekenn wir unverruckt,
Weil wir leben auff erden.

4 HERR straff nach deinr gerechtigkeyt,
Die bösen Edomiten:
Welch zerstörung und alles leydt,
Wundschen den Israeliten.
Sprechen, rein ab, rein ab, zunicht,
Mit fewr sol mans umbbringen.
Biß das sie all sind hingericht,
Ir thun nicht lan gelingen.

5 Ach Babel du verstörte statt,
Du hast uns offt gescholten:
Vervolgt, verhönt, mit rath und that,
Sol dir werden vergolten,
Verflucht sollen dein nachkommen sein,
Die Gotts wort widerstreben.
Dein kind zerschmettert an den Steyn,
Auff das sie nimmer leben.

¶ Also wirt Gott auch richter sein,
Jedem sein lob bereyten:
Die sein Wort underm frommen schein,
Lestern zu diesen zeiten,
Dafür wir dancken seiner güt,
HOffen Er werd bald kommen,
Der uns vor sünden hie behüt,
Zur rettung aller frommen.