Gelobt sei der Herr unser Gott

Here is my translation of the canticle paraphrase, “Gelobt sei der Herr unser Gott” (C. Spangenberg, 1582), the author’s 10th OT canticle, based on Moses’ father-in-law Jethro’s song from Exodus 18. The subtitle reads: “It is a thanksgiving for the deliverance. And it teaches what one ought to learn from the wondrous works and miracles of God.” The melody assigned is “Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ,” etc. Luther’s version of a popular medieval hymn for Christmas also recently formed the fitting framework for the 3rd OT canticle, “Blest be th’ eternal God, who hath” (Eliezer’s song).

 

BLEST be the Lord our God for aye,
Who His people from dismay
Delivered, and hath mightily
Redeemed them from the enemy,
Kyrieleis!

2 He saved them from th’ Egyptians’ hand,
Brought them out of Egypt’s land;
How best to lead them well He knows,
And keeps them safe from all their foes,
Kyrieleis!

3 Now I know that my God and Lord
O’er all gods must be adored,
He struck the foe down in their pride
When proudly they His own defied,
Kyrieleis!

Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Gelobt sei der Herr unser Gott,
der sein Volk aus aller Noth,
errettet und von Feinden hat
erlöset durch ein mächtig That,
Kyrieleis.

2 Er half ihn aus der Feinde Hand,
führt sie aus Egyptenland,
er weiß sein Volk zu leiten fein,
daß sie für Feinden sicher sein,
Kyrieleis.

3 Nun weiß ich, daß mein Gott und Herr
größer ist den all Götter,
er straft an Feinden den Hochmuth,
den man seim Volk beweisen thut,
Kyrieleis.