Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt

Here is my translation of the Pentecost text, “Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt” (E. Neumeister, d. 1756), from the author’s libretto for Whit Monday, which begins his own chorale: “Also hat Gott die Welt geliebet, daß er sein eingebornes Kind” which I have already translated as “God loved the world so, that He gave it…” and which was set at least by Telemann. The present text, probably originally devised as an aria, has the meter 899.99.88 (ABBCCAA), each stanza beginning and ending with the same line or refrain. Robin D. Fish has kindly produced his own excellent melody to enable this text to be used as a hymn.

Mel. Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt
 

SUCH love did God for man conceive,
His only Son endured the Passion
To gain for all mankind salvation—
Salvation that, for their transgression
By which they were made death’s possession,
They by their pow’r could ne’er achieve:
Such love did God for man conceive.

2 Such love did God for man conceive,
His Son all souls’ corruption cureth,
And on us sinful men conferreth
New birth by water and the Spirit,
That every child may life inherit
If he this promise but believe:
Such love did God for man conceive.

3 Such love did God for man conceive!
And this love standeth firm forever;
As God’s own mount it shall not waver.
No error false can ever take it
The Spirit, given us to seal it,
Makes us more strongly to believe:
Such love did God for man conceive.

4 Such love did God for man conceive!
What from this love shall part us ever?
O all who trust in Christ the Savior
Shall to damnation ne’er be flying,
But live, though here they must be dying;
For God eternal life doth give.
Such love did God for man conceive!

Translation © 2025 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
Sein eingeborner Sohn muß sterben,
das Heil den Menschen zu erwerben;
das Heil, daß sie bei ihren Sünden
in Ewigkeit nicht mochten finden,
so sie durch eigne Schuld verübt.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!

2 Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
Sein Sohn heilt allen Seelen Schaden,
und hat uns Sünder, uns aus Gnaden
durch Geist und Wasser neu geboren.
Drum wird kein Menschenkind verloren,
das ihm sein Herz im Glauben gibt.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!

3 Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
Die Liebe wird auch nicht vergehen.
Sie bleibt, wie Berge Gottes, stehen.
Kein falscher Irrsal kann sie rauben.
Der heilge Geist stärkt diesen Glauben,
den Gott zum Liebessiegel giebt.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!

4 Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
Was sollt uns von der Liebe treiben?
O alle, die an Jesum gläuben,
die können nimmemehr verderben.
Sie werden leben, wenn sie sterben,
weil Gott das ewge Leben giebt.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!