Zu der Zeit, da bei Jesu war

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Zu der Zeit, da bei Jesu war” (J. Heermann, 1632), from the author’s Evangelia, for Trinity VII, a paraphrase of the Gospel from Mark 8.

Mel.: In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr.

IN those days, on the Lord did wait

A multitude exceeding great,

No needful food possessing,

And no man there

Had aught to spare;

Their hunger was distressing—

2 The Lord called His disciples then

And saith, “For all these mortal men

Compassion now doth move me,

Who deigned to be

Three days with me,

And who sincerely love Me.

3 “These faithful souls, who willed to stay,

I would not fasting send away,

Or they will soon be fainting.

They weary are,

The way is far,

And worthy of lamenting.”

4 They said, “Lord, here is no supply,

These men with bread to satisfy;

This wilderness is empty,

This pantry’s bare,

So send them where 

They may find food aplenty!”

5 He asked, “How many loaves have ye?

I must in need their Helper be.”

They said, “Lord, only seven,

And few small fish—

A paltry dish,

Thou see’st, may these be given!”

6 He bade the people gather round,

And in good order on the ground

He told them to be seated;

The loaves did take,

Thanked God, and brake,

And portions duly meted—

7 —To His disciples, who then set

The bread before them, and they ate,

And fish—all they were able,

And they were filled,

And hunger stilled

At each and every table.

8 Four thousand men, as Mark doth write,

Were filled, and yet to their delight,

Of baskets sev’n remainèd.

Thus God doth know

Means to bestow

That His may be sustainèd.

9 Thus to His saints, who Him adore

And, foll’wing, hear Him more and more,

And let no cross prevent them,

He giveth rest,

And they are blest:

Bread from His hands is sent them.

Translation © 2026 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Zu der Zeit, da bei Jesu war

des Volkes ein große Schar,

und hatten nichts zu essen,

war auch niemand,

der Proviant

begehrte zuzumessen.

2 Die Jünger rief der Herr zu sich,

und sprach: Der Leutlin jammert mich:

Sie sind drei Tage blieben

mit Lust bei mir:

Ich setz allhier,

daß sie mich herzlich lieben.