Gott Lob, daß er uns Menschen liebt

Here is my translation of the Holy Word hymn, “Gott Lob, daß er uns Menschen liebt” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #225 with melody assignment “O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) provides the English rendering “A precious gift on man bestowed,” probably the work of the same author, in five stanzas of Long Meter, somewhat altered as to content.

 

TO God be praise, who loves our race,
And to us gives His Word in grace;
It is our heritage most bright,
Shows us salvation, life, and light.

2 The Bible doth to us make plain
All that had else concealèd lain;
It shows that Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
Is man’s Redeemer—He alone.

3 The Bible is of greatest worth,
God’s doctrine doth it show the earth,
It is for aye the highest Good,
Makes glad the heart and hope supplies.

4 How blest are they that this believe!
They find what none can break or thieve;
Not e’en the foe with pow’r and plot
Can overpow’r a single jot.

5 He that the Bible’s truth will hold
Hath found the weapon bright and bold,
By which he shall in battle win
Against the devil, world, and sin.

6 Preserve, O Lord, to us Thy Word
And let it ever, undeterred,
Among and in us mighty be,
Thine be the praise eternally.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

A Precious gift on man bestow'd,
That is to have the word of God;
The sure infallible record
That shews the counsels of the Lord.

2 That book it has to man reveal'd,
That which was to the world conceal'd.
That book reveal'd the glorious plan
By which God sav'd the race of man.

3 Of all the treasures here on earth,
This book is of the greatest worth;
From age to age it handeth down,
As much as need to man be known.

4 The Bible is a light divine!
It makes a world of darkness shine;
And ev'ry chapter, line and page,
Can cast a light on ev'ry age.

5 Bless'd are the rays this light doth give,
And bless'd are they who do receive;
This blessed light, this blessed heat,
Can make our hopes and joys complete.

GERMAN

Gott Lob, daß er uns Menschen liebt
und uns die liebe Bibel gibt,
die Bibel unser bestes Theil
zeigt uns das Leben, Licht und Heil.

2 Die Bibel macht uns offenbar,
was allen sonst verborgen war,
sie zeiget uns daß Jesus Christ
der ganzen Welt Erlöser ist.

3 Die Bibel ist von großem Werth,
sie zeigt uns, was Gott selber lehrt,
sie ist und bleibt das höchste Gut,
erfreut das Herz, gibt Trost und Muth.

4 Wohl dem, der an die Bibel glaubt,
der findet was ihm niemand raubt;
der Satan selbst mit Macht und List
dazu auch nicht vermögend ist.

5 Wer sich nur hält zur Bibel-Lehr,
der findt daran die beste Wehr,
damit er endlich überwindt
den Teufel, Welt und alle Sünd.

6 Erhalt uns, Herr, dein heilig Wort,
und laß dasselbe immerfort
bei uns und in uns kräftig sein,
zu deiner Ehr und Preis allein.
‡

Hier bringen wir den Leib zur Ruh

Here is my translation of the funeral & committal hymn, “Hier bringen wir den Leib zur Ruh / und decken ihn mit Erde” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #143, with melody assignment “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit” and title “At the covering of the grave.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) adapts the German as “This Body in the Grave Is Laid,” in 7 stanzas of Common Meter.

 

 

THIS body here to rest we lay
And in the earth conceal it,
That clay again may turn to clay,
Till Jesus shall reveal it;
For now, corruption setteth in;
To dust and ash it turns again,
As heard of yore by Adam.

2 It will not always here abide
Corrupted and forsaken;
The Lord will come, as prophesied,
The dead at once to waken,
And when Prince of Life is seen,
The soul and body joined again
Shall stand before the Judgment.

3 Then will it to all men be shown
How they their life conducted,
And all things hid shall be made known
In brightness unobstructed.
And when the Judge of all mankind
Shall each man just or guilty find,
He shall reward them duly.

4 Here learn, O mortal, what thou art,
And see thy life most clearly:
And on this earth prepare thy heart
To leave, though late or early.
For after sorrows and dismay
At last shall come thy dying day
When thou must part forever.

5 Thy days pass quickly like a breath,
So let thyself be driven,
O sinner, to prepare for death,
Wilt thou inherit heaven:
Repent and know that thou art dust,
And in Christ Jesus put thy trust,
Who is thy gracious Savior.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

This body in the grave is laid,
Here to return to dust:
As God to father Adam said,
That all our bodies must.

2 Not here forever to remain,
For Christ himself shall come,
And call the dead to live again,
And raise them from the tomb.

3 The graves must all give up their dead,
And every other place;
God’s great commands must be obeyed,
And all the dead must raise.

4 All must appear before their Lord,
And their just sentence hear;
Likwise receive their just reward,
Such as their actions were.

5 May we be wise while here we live:
O may we seek and try,
And take advice, as Christ doth give,
To live and learn to die.

6 How swift our precious moments pass,
How soon our days are fled;
Prepared, or unprepared, alas!
We’re numbered with the dead.

7 O careless man, be wise and think,
What will become of thee:
Who now art standing on the brink,
Of vast eternity.

GERMAN

Hier bringen wir den Leib zur Ruh
und decken ihn mit Erde;
wir scharren nun das Grabe zu,
daß Erd zur Erden werde;
hier wird er Erde, Asch und Staub,
und der Verwesung ganz zum Raub,
wie Adam schon gehöret.

2 Hier bleibt er auch doch ewig nicht
in der Verwesung stecken,
der Herr wird kommen, wie er spricht,
die Todten aufzuwecken,
und wann der Lebensfürst erscheint,
so werden Leib und Seel vereint
und müssen vors Gerichte.

3 Dann wird ein jeder offenbar,
wie er gelebt auf Erden,
und was dann sonst verborgen war,
wird alles Lichte werden,
und wann der Richter aller Welt,
das rechte Urtheil jedem fällt,
dann wird er auch recht lohnen.

4 Hier lerne, Mensch, doch was du bist,
auch lerne, was dein Leben,
wohl hier auf dieser Erden ist,
daß du mußt bald aufgeben,
nach mancher Sorge, Müh und Noth
so kommt dann endlich gar der Tod,
und du mußt ewig scheiden.

5 Wie schnell verschwindet deine Zeit,
denk, Sünder, an das Sterben;
ach! mache dich zum Tod bereit,
willst du den Himmel erben,
so lern erkennen, was du bist,
und deinen Heiland, Jesum Christ,
recht in den Glauben fassen.
‡

Jesus, Arzt für Leib und Seel

 Here is my translation of the hymn, “Jesus, Arzt für Leib und Seel” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #132 with title “For the sick and dying” with melody assignment “Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) adapts it “Jesus, the Patient’s Surest Friend” in 7 stanzas of Long Meter.

 

SOUL and body He can heal—
Jesus Christ, the great Physician;
Therefore at His kind appeal
Simply send Him thy petition.
If He send some grief or ill,
He doth bear it with us still.

2 He doth know the season due,
When to end all lamentation;
Where it brings repentance true,
Soon He sendeth consolation;
There is seen and known indeed
What His promise hath decreed.

3 We as sons are sought by God
When with sickness He doth beckon;
If we heed the Father’s rod,
Then what comfort shall awaken!
Punishment and chastening
Shall our soul’s advantage bring.

4 Though the body stricken be,
And must many a sorrow suffer
And we act impatiently,
Jesus will preserve them ever
Who on Him in faith rely,
Nor in death will let them die.

5 Come then, soul, be of good cheer,
Even all these troubles bearing;
For thy good these now appear,
Therefore do not be despairing.
Though assailed with much distress,
Thou art bound for blessedness.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

Jesus, the patient's surest friend,
Will ever to his case attend;
He was in all, like man distress'd,
And bore the curse to make us bless'd.

2 In all afflictions we must bear,
We are the objects of his care;
Tho' we are made to feel the rod,
It is to draw us nearer God.

3 Sure we have reason to believe,
He knows the time when to relieve;
When to remove distress and pain,
And to restore our health again.

4 He guards us with his watchful eye,
While we do live, and when we die;
His word and promises are sure,
Nor can thy fail for ever more.

5 If thus the Sons of God we be,
We must not seek from him to flee,
When his afflicting hand we feel,
We must submit unto his will.

6 What tho' we suffer for a while,
Distress, and grief, and pain, and toil:
Since ev'ry rod and ev'ry smart,
Is to remorse the hard'ned heart.

7 Then ye distress'd be not afraid,
Nor let your minds be so dismay'd;
Christ your physician makes you whole,
Can cure the body and the soul.

 

GERMAN

Jesus, Arzt für Leib und Seel,
kann von aller Krankheit retten,
darum sollt auf sein Befehl
jeder Kranker zu ihm beten.
Hat er Krankheit aufgelegt,
ist ers, der sie mit uns trägt.

2 Er selbst weiß die beste Zeit
wann er soll die Klage wenden,
wenn die Straf zur Buß bereit,
dem wird er bald Hilfe senden;
der erfahret in der That,
was er ihm verheißen hat.

3 Gott uns, seine Kinder, sucht,
wanner uns mit Krankheit schläget;
folgen wir der Straf und Zucht,
so ist Trost uns beigeleget.
Jede Strafe, Zucht und Ruth
ist für unsre Seele gut.

4 Ob der Leib wird hingelegt,
und muß manchen Schmerz erfahren,
wird oft Ungeduld erregt,
doch wird Jesus den bewahren:
der zu ihm hat Zuversicht,
daß er im Tod stirbet nicht [daß im Tod er…]

5 Hab, o Seele, guten Muth,
auch in allen deinen Plagen;
alles kommt ja dir zu gut,
darum soll[s]t du nicht verzagen.
Ob dich manche Noth anficht,
so verdirbst du dennoch nicht.
‡

Heut lobe Gott, du Christen-Chor

Here is my translation of the church consecration hymn, “Heut lobe Gott, du Christen-Chor!” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #130 with melody assignment “Es ist das Heil uns kommen her.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) has an English adaptation in 7 stanzas of Common Meter, with the title “For the consecrating of a Church.” (See below.)

 

O CHRISTIAN choir, thy God adore
With heart and mind rejoicing,
And enter at His Temple door,
Praise for His goodness voicing;
Remember now His bounteous grace
That He hath builded in this place
A house for His due glory!

2 Let every soul as due draw near
With song and supplication;
And God will surely make it clear
To our great jubilation
That He will dwell among us here,
His temple’s glory, light, and cheer,
His flock’s beloved Shepherd.

3 He feeds us with His mighty Word,
To meadows green doth guide us;
He is our Shield and Rock assured
Lest any harm betide us.
Who trust God’s mercy, surely find
His pow’r renews their soul and mind
And makes them His own children.

4 The Lord hath brought us hitherto,
And brings us on to heaven;
Let us but fight the warfare true,
So shall success be given.
In hope and faith we pray that He
Will cause true Christianity
Within our church to flourish.

5 O Jesus, pass Thy knowledge down
To every generation.
Thy Word with might and vigor crown
For sinful man’s salvation;
Let wand’ring shop be called again,
Be wakened from their sleep of sin,
And to Thy flock be gathered.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

We praise the Lord, whose love is great;
His mercies we embrace;
We enter now, His temple gate,
And thank him for his grace.

2 This house for sacred use design'd,
We dedicate to God;
Here may the Lord of glory find,
A dwelling and abode.

3 Here we approach thy sacred courts,
With reverence and fear;
We will engage our best efforts,
To worship Thee with pray'r.

4 Lord, may this be Thy sanctuary,
Here with Thy Spirit dwell:
To us and or posterity,
The way to heav'n reveal.

5 Here Savior, show Thy Gospel light,
And send Thy blessings down;
Bring thy life-giving Word to sight,
And make salvation known.

6 Here let Thy blessed Word be taught,
To us, and to our youth;
May thousands to that light be brought,
Where in they learn the truth.

7 Here let us hear the Gospel sound,
Attend Thy Word with grace;
Call many wand’ring sinners round,
To come and fill this place.

GERMAN

Heut lobe Gott, du Christenchor
mit freudigem Gemüthe,
geht ein durch seines Tempels Thor
und preiset seine Güte;
gedenket seiner großen Gnad,
das er sich hier errichtet hat,
ein Haus zu seiner Ehre.

2 Ein jeder komm nach seiner Pflicht,
mit Singen, Beten, Flehen;
vergesset solches nimmer nicht,
so wird man freudig sehen,
daß er wird selber wohnen hier
und sein des Tempels Licht und Zier,
und Hirte seiner Heerde.

3 Er weidet uns mit seinem Wort,
führt uns auf grünen Auen;
er ist das Leben, Schild und Hort,
die seiner Güte trauen,
erfahren, daß die göttlich Kraft,
sie ganz zu neuen Menschen macht,
und Gottes Kinder werden.

4 Bisher hat uns der Herr gebracht,
er wird uns weiter bringen;
wir üben gute Ritterschaft,
es wird uns auch gelingen;
wir hoffen, glauben, bitten drum,
der Herr wird wahres Christenthum
in unstre Kirche schaffen.

5 Hier, Jesu, pflanz Erkenntnis fort,
auf Kind und Kindes Kinder,
gib Kraft und Nachdruck deinem Wort,
beleb die todte Sünder;
laß rufen die verlorne Schaf,
erweck sie von dem Sündenschlaf,
bring sie zu deiner Heerde.
‡

Wir wollen also nun beschliessen

 Here is my translation of the hymn for the end of school, “Wir wollen also nun beschliessen” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #129 with melody assignment “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) makes this two separate hymns of two stanzas each, both in Common Meter: “The Labors of Our Teachers Bless” and “Thy Heav’nly Blessing, Jesus, Grant.” Thoughts are more developed in the English versions.

 

NOW let our lesson-time be ended;
The day’s instruction now is through.
God, bless our efforts here expended,
To teach aright as is our due.
Let our departure therefore be
Commended, Lord, alone to Thee.

2 In Jesus’ name let us be going;
O Jesus, let Thy help be known!
Speak Thine Amen upon our doing,
Then shall the cause remain Thine own.
Lord, Thine Amen alone shall be
Our own Amen eternally.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

1 The labors of our teachers bless,
Impress them on our mind;
To their endeavors grant success,
Let us the blessing find.

2 Lord, grant us knowledge, zeal and love,
Our little faith increase,
And make us wise, that we may prove,
The things that works our peace.

***

Thy heav'nly blessing, Jesus grant,
To these, the present youth.
Give them such light and grace they want,
To understand the truth.

2 Engage their hearts with fervent zeal,
To serve Thee all their days,
And cause their hearts and minds to feel
The workings of Thy grace.

GERMAN

Wir wollen also nun beschliessen
und enden unsern Unterricht.
Gott, segne, was wir uns befliessen,
zu lehren recht nach unsrer Pflicht.
Laß unsern Ausgang dir allein,
nur dir, o Herr, befohlen sein.

2 Wir schließen nun in Jesu Namen;
wollst selber, Jesu, bei uns sein.
Sprich zu der Sache selber Amen,
so bleibt die Sache selber dein.
Dein Amen, Jesu, nur allein,
wird unser Amen ewig sein.
‡

Gott lehret uns in seinem Wort

Here is my translation of the hymn for the opening of school, “Gott lehret uns in seinem Wort” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #128, with melody assignment “Nun sich der Tag geendet hat.” An English translation indeed exists in the same meter (see below), but lacking a stanza, or rather, with the material of stanzas 3 and 4 combined. However, upon closer inspection, in view of several other differences, it seemed that a more exact translation of the German might be worthwhile.

 

GOD teacheth us in His dear Word,
We ever should assay
To bring up children to the Lord
And raise them in His way.

2 School was established for that cause,
That therein might be taught
The precious Word, the Light that glows
To us from heaven brought.

3 ’Tis praiseworthy and beautiful
To hearing and to sight
When children duly to go school
And are informed aright.

4 Where children day by day are raised
To follow God’s command,
There is the Savior highly praised,
There shall His kingdom stand.

5 True gladness faithful parents share
When church and school go well,
Where tender youth are raised with care
God’s kingdom to indwell.

6 Dear children, learn with diligence
In school, for that is best,
Would ye be wise and full of sense
And also ever blest.

7 Yet hear your God and Him obey,
For so His Word is giv’n;
Then shall ye follow on the way
That brings you unto heav’n.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

God hath commanded in his word,
To teach the tender youth:
In the discipline of the Lord,
And knowledge of the truth.

2 Therefore the christian school is taught,
That rising youth may know,
And learn what ev'ry christian ought
In all their lives to do.

3 It is a pleasing thing to see,
Where virtue is impress'd;
And youth is taught the righteous way,
The way that makes them bless'd.

4 All pious parents do rejoice,
When christian knowledge grows;
And when their children take advice,
Such as the Lord bestows.

5 Dear children take advice and learn,
Obey the Lord's command!
And let it be your chief concern,
His word to understand.

6 God's blessing then will rest on you,
And blessed shall you be;
You shall be blest in all ye do:
Blest to eternity.

GERMAN

Gott lehret uns in seinem Wort,
wir sollen uns bemühn,
daß wir die Kinder immerfort
in seinem Weg erziehn.

2 Dazu hat man die Schul erricht,
daß darin werd gelehrt
das theure Wort, das helle Licht,
das uns von Gott beschert.

3 Das ist wohl löblich, das ist schön,
wo man es sieht und hört,
daß Kinder in die Schule gehn
und werden recht gelehrt.

4 Wo man die Kinder täglich weist
in Gottes Wege gehn,
da wird der Heiland hoch gepreist
und sein Reich wird bestehn.

5 Fromme Eltern die freuen sich,
wann Kirch und Schule blüht;
wo man die Jugend fleißiglich
für Gottes Reich erzieht.

6 Ach, Kinder lernt mit allem Fleiß
in eurer Schule fein,
wollt ihr verständig klug und weis
und auch gesegnet sein.

7 Gehorchet Gott nach seinem Wort,
wie euch gezeiget wird,
so kommt ihr auf dem Wege fort,
der euch zum Himmel führt.
‡

Daß Gott befohlen hat

 

Here is my translation of the hymn for the consecration of elders and church wardens (officers), “Daß Gott befohlen hat” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #127 with melody assignment “O Gott, du frommer Gott.” It is essentially a metrical instruction on the rite for which it is appointed (ordering deacons according to the sense of church officers, or non-ordained lay servants for the physical needs of the congregation and its property), concluding with a post-consecration prayer for the consecrated. The counterpart in The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) is “The Great Apostle Gave Command” in 6 stanzas of Long Meter; where the title indicates “church wardens, or deacons.”

 

PAUL’S teaching testifies
That God hath so ordainèd
By His own counsel wise
That order be maintainèd,
The church to oversee,
And so it must and should—
Yea, it serves needfully
The congregation’s good.

2 He teaches Timothy
That in the congregations
It should so ordered be
In all such situations,
That servants ever should
Attend the church’s need
Who consecrated, would
The congregation lead.

3 Therefore in godly fear
We keep this consecration,
Appointing servants here
Whose solemn occupation
Shall be to serve with care
And faithfulness always
That all things well may fare,
God’s be the glorious praise.

   After the Consecration.

O God, Thy servant aid
To fill as doth befit him
The duty on him laid,
To which we here commit him;
Grant him with speed to do
Whatever work he should,
And when the work is through
Grant that the end be good.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

The great Apostle gave command,
Let every Church in order stand;
Good regulations must be made,
And be by all the Church obeyed.

2 To answer that, so good effect,
Saint Paul himself thus did direct:
To order deacons everywhere,
Who should that sacred office bear.

3 Let such who act the faithful part,
And have the cause of Christ at heart,
And such as are of good repute,
That needful office execute.

4 Is it their aim in all they do,
To raise the Savior’s Church below!
Their faithful labors will be blest,
And Jesus’ kingdom be increased.

5 Dear Lord be with thy spirit near,
While we ordain these brethren here;
May zeal and knowledge, love and grace,
Prepare and fit them for that place.

6 Be Thou their counsel when they need,
Their conduct bless, their labors speed;
Oh, may they be of greatest worth,
To aid and build Thy church on earth.

GERMAN

Daß Gott befohlen hat,
daß wir die Ordnung halten,
nach seinem weisen Rath,
die Kirche zu verwalten,
das zeugt uns Paulus Lehr,
so müße es auch sein;
ja daß es nöthig wär,
zum Besten der Gemein.

2 Er zeigt Timoth’um an,
so sollte ers bestellen:
das wäre wohl gethan
in allen solchen Fällen,
daß der Gemein allzeit
die Diener stets vorgehn,
die zu dem Dienst geweiht,
demselben vorzustehn.

3 Desgleichen thun auch wir
so wie uns ist befohlen,
wir ordnen Diener hier,
die der Gemeine sollen,
mit aller Treu und Fleiß
zum Besten der Gemein
zu Gottes Ehr und Preis
allzeit beschäftigt sein.

Nach der Einsegnung.

4 Ach Gott, hilf solchem thun,
was ihm zu thun gebühret,
wozu ihn sein Beruf
in seinem Stande führet;
gieb, daß er thue bald
das Werk, das er thun soll,
und wann ers thut, so gieb,
daß es gerathe wohl.
‡

Herr Jesu, wahrer Seelenhirt

Here is my translation of the Confirmation hymn, “Herr Jesu, wahrer Seelenhirt” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #124, with melody assignment “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit.” The title is “At the confirmation of the young.” However, the content seems applicable to cases of in which church discipline has been administered; or at least a dose of repentance-preaching and due humbling is embedded. The English counterpart in The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.), “O Jesus, Faithful Shepherd, Lord,” is composed in 6 stanzas of Long Meter.

 

LORD Jesus, Shepherd of the way,
And Friend of mortals lowly
Thou seek’st the sheep that go astray
And mak’st the sinner holy;
Their Life, their Lord, their Righteousness,
Thou freest them from all distress
Who heartily will seek Thee.

2 Behold with pity, not with wrath,
The flock before Thee growing;
None else can save them from the path
On which they have been going—
The path that leads to death for aye,
The path on which they go astray
As sheep without direction.

3 Before their birth Thou didst begin
To be their Lord and Savior,
Nor leav’st them on the path of sin
That they should die forever;
Thy blood hath bought Thy children prized,
And in Thy name they were baptized
And with Thy hand were hallowed.

4 Oh, that the cov’nant they ignore,
And yet feel not convicted!
Their heart should have been wounded sore,
Their souls, have been afflicted,
That they lived not before Thee so,
Nor sought the good as they did owe,
And as Thou hast commanded.

5 O Father, righteous God, forgive
Their sin and their transgression,
And let them in Thy favor live,
For Jesus’ death and Passion;
Thou wilt not banish from Thy grace
Those, Lord, who will but seek Thy face.
On these poor souls have mercy!

6 May they again be joined with Thee
Lord, in Thy cov’nant holy,
And therein ever steadfast be,
In Thy way going solely;
In time of trouble help afford,
And keep them in Thy faith and Word
Until their life is ended.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

O Jesus, faithful Shepherd, Lord!
We pray, thy heav'nly grace afford,
Thou art the life, the truth and way,
Thou seekest those that go astray.

2 Look on the flock presented here,
Who at thy throne of grace appear;
They are the purchase of thy blood,
And dedicated unto God.

3 Thy mercy kept them all their days,
Though they have walk'd in sinful ways:
The way wherein great numbers go,
The way that leads to endless woe.

4 Their hearts should be with grief oppress'd
And godly sorrow fill each breast;
Sure they would mourn, could they but see
How they have err'd and stray'd from thee.

5 O Let thy grace and love be felt,
And cause their stony hearts to melt;
Make deep impressions on their mind,
That makes them humble and resign'd.

6 Shew mercy, Lord, to them, we pray,
Grant light and life, in which they may,
Return to thee, their Lord again,
And faithful until death remain.

GERMAN

Herr Jesu, wahrer Seelenhirt,
du Freund der Menschenkinder,
du suchst die Schafe die verirrt,
errettst die arme Sünder;
du bist ihr Leben, Herr und Gott,
befreiest die von aller Noth,
die dich von Herzen suchen.

2 Drum siehe mit Erbarmen an
die Heerde vor dir stehen,
weil niemand sonst sie retten kann
vom Wege den sie gehen;
vom Wege, der zum Tode führt,
vom Weg worauf sie sind verirrt
als die verlorne Schafe.

3 Du hast sie ja von Kindheit auf
erhalten vom Verderben,
auch nicht in ihrem Sündenlauf
sie lassen ewig sterben;
dein Blut hat sie gar theur erkauft,
sie sind in deinem Nam getauft,
und dir ja selbst geweihet.

4 Ach, Jammer! daß sie in dem BUnd
mit dir nicht treu geblieben,
die Herzen sollten sein verwundt,
die Seelen sich betrüben,
daß sie vor dir nicht so gelebt,
daß sie dem Guten nachgestrebt,
wie du selbst hast befohlen.

5 Ach, Vater, ach, gerechter Gott!
vergib doch alle Sünden;
um Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod
laß wieder Gnade finden;
die wirst du ja verstoßen nicht,
die suchen, Herr, dein Angesicht.
Erbarme dich der Armen.

6 Gib Jesu, daß sie ganz aufs Neu
mit dir im Bunde stehen,
und auch beständig bleiben treu
in deinem Weg zu gehen;
steh ihnen bei in aller Noth,
erhalte sie bis in den Tod,
in deinem Wort und Glauben.
‡

Ach Gott, du gibst uns Menschenkinder

Here is my translation of the Catechesis & School hymn, “Ach Gott, du gibst uns Menschenkinder” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #122 with melody assignment “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten.” The hymn is divided into 5 stanzas before instruction, confined to God’s instruction generally, and at the close of the instruction, 1 Christological stanza. Among the numerous English counterparts in the Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) it is difficult to find a single hymn of the same tenor. Someone with eagerness to soften the tone has perhaps divided the first section into the two hymns, “Happy the Youth That Soon Begin” and “How Precious Is God’s Holy Word” (each 5 stanzas of Common Meter), while David Henkel has also added his “Approach Dear Youth unto the Lord.” There is a profusion of hymns on the theme. The concluding German stanza of our hymn blossoms into a 13-stanza hymn (“After Catechising or after School), “We Praise Thee, Jesus, Gracious Lord,” which certainly gives a sense less of an emergency ration than of a groaning board.

 

O GOD, whose teaching, if we heed it
Within Thy Word, is strong to save:
Much do we lowly sinners need it,
Would we live yet beyond the grave;
Without it we would know Thee not,
Eternal death would be our lot.

2 Oh, let Thy Word and Spirit make us
To know the way that heav’nward strives;
Then to our duty we’ll betake us,
And to Thy glory lead our lives.
Alone Thy Spirit gives us might
That we may do the good and right.

3 Like sheep who have the fold forsaken,
We walk the way to death that tends;
Unless from sleep of sin Thou waken,
We wander still until life ends.
We go along, stiff-necked and blind—
Alas, how many such we find!

4 O Lord, then leave us not to wander,
Lest we be ever lost to grace
And soul and body perish yonder!
How can we stand before Thy face
If light upon our sins be shed,
And we be brought to judgment dread?

5 Oh, Father, boundless is compassion,
Bring us not into judgment thus!
Thou only canst remove transgression
So that it may not threaten us.
Thy goodness, truth, and wisdom be
Our teachers here, Thy grace to see.

   At the Close of Instruction.

6 Lord Jesus, to the Father leading,
The Way, the Truth, the Life Thou art!
Thy death and suffering and bleeding
Thy righteousness to us impart;
Oh, grant Thy Holy Spirit’s light,
And we are truly taught aright.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Ach Gott, du gibst uns Menschenkinder
aus deinem Worte Unterricht.
Ach, wir bedarfens, arme Sünder,
dann sonst erkennen wir dich nicht;
wir leben, doch in Sünden todt,
und sterben ohne dich, o Gott.

2 Ach, laß dein Wort und Geist uns lehren,
den Weg, der uns zum Leben führt,
so leben wir auch dir zu Ehren,
und thun was uns zu thun gebührt.
Nur deines guten Geisteswerk
gibt uns zum Guten Kraft und Stärk.

3 Wir gehen wie verlorne Schafe
den Weg der zum Verderben führt,
weckst du uns nicht vom Sündenschlafe,
so bleiben wir darin verirrt.
Wir gehn dahin verstockt un blind
wie leider sonst noch viele sind.

4 Ach, Herr, laß uns doch so nicht sterben,
sonst müssen wir verloren gehn,
ewig an Leib und Seel verderben,
wie können wir vor dir bestehn:
wann du uns stellest vor das Licht,
wann du uns forderst vors Gericht.

5 Ach, lieber Vater voll Erbarmen,
ach, geh nicht mit uns ins Gericht,
nur du kannst schaffen, daß wir Armen
in unsern Sünden sterben nicht.
Nur deine Güte, Treu und Rath
lehrt uns erkennen deine Gnad.

Zum Beschluß nach dem Unterricht.

6 Herr Jesu, wahrer Weg und Leben,
du bist, der uns zum Vater führt;
dein Leben, Sterben kann uns geben,
daß wir auch werden recht regiert,
dein heilger Geist sei uns beschert,
so werden wir dann recht gelehrt.
‡

Herr, es steht in deinen Händen

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Herr, es steht in deinen Händen” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #100 for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 9:18–26) with melody assignment “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) includes an English reworking in 7 stanzas of Common Meter, “That blessed Gospel we are taught,” which notably adds reference to the Gospel account.

 

IN Thy hands, O Lord, abideth
All our life, and death as well,
For our life at last subsideth,
At Thine hour, which none can tell;
Thou look’st not to rank or name;
Poor and rich to Thee the same;
Mighty lords of earthly power
Turn to dust th’ appointed hour.

2 Many scarce their life are starting,
When death’s summons echo clear,
And they must be hence departing
Yea, though prince’s offspring dear.
Yet they seldom give this thought
Till himself death makes his claim
Only then they start to ponder
Seeking helpers here and yonder.

3 Life and death own Jesus Master,
Very Man and God is He,
Highest Helper in disaster,
Yea, of death the Remedy!
With one word He maketh whole
All the ills of body_and soul.
What He knows most good will do us,
He will surely grant it to us.

4 Let His Word then make us cheerful!
What He says shall never err;
We need not of Him be fearful,
But with confidence secure
Boldly hasten to His ear,
Bare our heart without all fear.
Here and yonder He will give us
What we need, nor ever leave us.

5 Rise, ye souls in sorrow bending,
Who such true affliction know,
To the Savior selves commending
Till He turns your every woe.
Though in death ye fall asleep,
Till the trump your rest to keep,
What He promised here will yonder
Be revealed with greater wonder.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

That blessed Gospel we are taught,
Can prove the Savior’s pow’r;
The miracles that Jesus wrought
Were never wrought before.

2 A ruler’s daughter, as we read,
A lifeless corpse had lain;
But Jesus who can raise the dead,
Raised her to life again.

3 Princes and rulers of this earth,
Who raise their honors high—
Like others of the meanest birth,
They all are born to die.

4 These things are scarcely ever thought,
Or ever cause a tear,
Until the greatest part are brought,
To lie upon the bier.

5 When troubles, sorrows, and distress
Beset the greatest men,
Then they will seek the Savior’s face
To be relieved again.

6 Distress will make us seek the Lord,
If ne’er we did before;
And search the counsels of His Word,
His love, His grace and pow’r.

7 But, oh, His love to man is great,
His gifts are ne’er withheld!
He helps each one in ev’ry state,
Who to His precepts yield.

GERMAN

Herr, est steht in deinen Händen
unser Leben, unser Tod,
unser Leben muß sich enden,
wie du es bestimmst, o Gott:
du siehst hohen Stand nicht an.
Arm und Reiche müssen dran;
große Fürsten dieser Erden
müssen auch zu Leichen werden.

2 Mancher fängt kaum an zu leben,
da ihn doch der Tod schon findt,
seinen Geist muß er aufgeben,
wär er auch ein Fürstenkind.
Doch wird dieses nicht bedacht,
bis der Tod selbst Anspruch macht,
dann will man sich erst umsehen,
und dann erst um Hilfe flehen.

3 Der Herr über Tod und Leben,
Jesus, wahrer Mensch und Gott,
der kann allzeit Hilfe geben,
ja, gar retten von dem Tod;
nur ein Wort aus seinem Mund
machet Leib uns Seel geund,
hat ers für uns gut ersehen,
so läßt ers uns auch geschehen.

4 Sein Wort sollt uns sehr erfreuen,
was er sagt, das fehlet nicht;
dürfen uns vor ihm nicht scheuen,
sondern voller Zuversicht
unverszaget zu ihm gehn,
unser ganzes Herz gestehn;
was uns Noth ist, wird er geben,
hier und dort in jenem Leben.

5 Nur getrost, betrübte Seelen,
die ihr recht betrübet seid,
thut euch Jesum nur befehlen,
bis er wendet alles Leid,
ob ihr gleich im Tod entschlaft,
erst am jüngsten Tag erwacht,
dort läßt euch der Herr erfahren,
was hier die Verheißung waren.
‡

Unsre seelenfeinde

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Unsre seelenfeinde” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #99 for the Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 22:15–22) with melody assignment “Jesu, meine Freude.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) gives the English reworking, “Herodians and Pharisees” in 5 stanzas of Common Meter.

 

FOES, who truly hate us
Pose as friends to bait us;
Oft it may betide
That they falsehoods tell us,
Planning ways to fell us
Keeps them occupied.
Satan’s sly
And oft will try
With his tricks and traps nefarious
To deceive and snare us.

2 Christ encountered clearly
Many who sincerely
Hatred for Him felt,
In His incarnation
For mankind’s salvation,
As our soul’s dear Friend.
Oh, how He
Must frequently
Quash the counsels of th’ immoral,
And dispel their quarrel!

3 Pharisees and Herod
Never Jesus sparèd
Mockery and spite.
Always they must prattle,
And with Christ do battle.
So both day and night
We are pressed
And never rest
In the fight with such deceivers,
Who would catch believers.

4 Jesus, who yet liveth,
And to us all giveth,
And for us contends,
Will all wisdom teach us,
Lest the foe should breach us
For his evil ends;
Though he dares
To set his snares
By the thousands, to compel us,
Yet he cannot fell us.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

1 Herodians and Pharisees—
They join with one accord,
And as united enemies
Seek to destroy our Lord.

2 Though they applaud Him to His face,
And seem to take His part:
They like a false and viper race
Hate Him with all their heart.

3 Where Satan governs all the mind
And rules the inward man;
There are the pow’rs of darkness joined
To do what harm they can.

4 All Christian[s] must be on their guard,
And wrath on ev’ry hand;
They must be tempted like our Lord
By Satan and his band.

5 But Christ, their great and mighty Head,
Who all their danger knows;
Will disappoint what snares are laid
By them, their crafty foes.

GERMAN

Unsre Seelenfeinde
stellen sich wie Freunde,
wie gar oft geschieht,
daß sie sich verstellen,
uns damit zu fällen,
sind damit bemüht.
Ach! wie fein
stellt sich oft ein
der Satan mit seinen Tücken
uns recht zu verstricken.

2 Jesus hats erfahren,
daß viel solche waren,
die ihm herzlich feind,
als er war auf Erden
unser Heil zu werden
unser Seelenfreund.
Wie mußt er
gar oftmals sehr
auch mit falschen Menschen kämpfen,
ihren Rath zu dämpfen.

3 Pharisäer Rotte
und Herodis Spotte
und dergleichen mehr
findt sich allerwegen
Christum so entgegen,
so fällts freilich schwer,
so daß man
auch schier nicht kann
gegen solche Feinde stehen
ihrem Netz entgehen.

4 Jesus, der uns liebet,
der uns alles giebet,
für uns immer streit,
wird uns Weisheit geben,
daß wir unser Leben
führen allezeit,
daß der Feind,
so bös ers meint,
und uns tausend Netz thut stellen,
dennoch nicht kann fällen.
‡

Ein Gleichnis stellt uns dar

Here is my translation of the repentance and forgiveness hymn, “Ein Gleichnis stellt uns dar” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #98 for the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 18:28–35) with melody assignment “Nun danket alle Gott.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) gives an adaptation in 8 stanzas of Long Meter, “When Man’s Account to Light Is Brought” (included below). As usual, the industrious Henkel also rhymes the odd lines here, which traditionally is not done with this meter.

 

BEHOLD a likeness here
As told by Christ our Savior,
Which unto us makes clear
That God in judgment ever
Doth keep a close account,
And showeth everyone
His sentence knows th’ amount
Of wrong we here have done.

2 When reckoning begins,
No more art thou dim-witted,
But seest the countless sins
Thou hast ’gainst God committed;
Ten thousand pounds by weight
Are all thy sins, and more.
Yea, sinner, ’tis so great
It should afflict thee sore.

3 When God pronounces doom
And curse on men ever,
They feel the judgment loom
And seek for grace and favor,
And cry out in distress,
For patience pleading yet,
And make God promises:
Lord, I will pay the debt.

4 But since no man could pay
The debt of his transgression,
God made Himself a way,
To clear our condemnation:
He looks on us in grace,
Since Jesus lived and died
For sinners, in our place,
And justice satisfied.

5 Thus was our ransom paid
From sin and retribution,
Since Christ atonement made
And brought us absolution,
Salvation, righteousness,
And balm in cross and woe;
We heaven now possess,
True blessedness shall know.

6 Before God let us live
Upon His grace depending,
Who bids us men forgive,
His gracious way commending:
If we will pardon not
Our neighbor heartily,
Sharp judgment is our lot
With all its penalty.

7 God grant us strength and pow’r,
A heav’nly life and vigor,
That we may every hour
Forgive with spirit eager
Our debtors what they’ve owed;
Then shall we ready be
Through grace and love of God
For yon eternity.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

When man’s account to light is brought,
Each wicked deed, each word and thought;
When in his conscience such appear,
His mind is filled with dread and fear.

2 The soul that is convinced of sin,
Will feel a deep distress within;
Finds neither comfort, peace or rest,
But feels a hell within the breast.

3 The sins are numberless and great,
Then thousand talents is their weight;
The sinner sinks beneath the load,
In deep distress he cries to God.

4 Spare me, O righteous God, I pray!
Until this dreadful debt I pay;
I will exert what pow’r I have,
Do all I can, my soul to save.

5 But th’ efforts of [the] human race
Could never merit saving grace:
God laid a better, diff’rent plan
To save the fallen race of man.

6 He sent His own beloved Son,
Since none could save but He alone;
His death a full atonement made,
Thereby our awful debt was paid.

7 And thus redeemed and thus set free,
How highly thankful should we be:
Like Jesus, willing to forgive
All injuries we may receive.

8 We can’t expect to be forgiv’n,
Nor yet partake the joys of heav’n
Unless we act the Christian part,
Forgive all men with all our heart.

GERMAN

Ein Gleichnis stellt uns dar
im Bildnis der Geschichte,
dasselbe macht uns klar,
daß Gott in dem Gerichte,
genaue Rechnung hält
und zeiget jedermann,
daß er sein Urtheil fällt,
nachdem er hat gethan.

2 Wann sich die Rechnung findt,
dann wirst du erst einsehen,
wie viel, wie manche Sünd
du thust vor Gott begehen.
Wohl zehen tausend Pfund,
sind deine Sünden schwer,
wirds dir, o Sünder, kund,
so ängstet es dich sehr.

3 Wann Gott das Urtheil spricht,
den Sünder zu verfluchen,
so fühlt er das Gericht,
das macht ihn Gnade suchen;
dann schreit er in der Noth,
und flehet um Geduld,
verspricht dem lieben Gott:
Herr, ich bezahl die Schuld.

4 Weil kein Mensch aber könnt
die Sündenschuld bezahlen,
so schenket Gott die Sünd,
vergab die Strafe allen.
Er sieht uns gnädig an,
weil Jesus für uns starb,
und was er sonst gethan,
und uns die Gnad erwarb.

5 So wurden wir erlöst
von aller Straf der Sünden,
weil Christus sie gebüßt,
so läßt uns Gott auch finden:
Gerechtigkeit und Heil
und Trost in Kreuz und Leid,
gibt uns am Himmel THeil
der wahren Seligkeit.

6 Doch wollen wir vor Gott
in seiner Gnade leben,
so lehrt uns sein Gebot
auch andern zu vergeben,
wann wir dem Nächstne nicht
von Herzen gern verzeihn,
so bleibt uns das Gericht
mit aller Straf und Pein.

7 Gott schenk uns Stärk und Kraft,
er schenk uns Geist und Leben,
so wird in uns geschaft,
daß wir auch gern vergeben
dem Nächsten seine Schuld,
so werden wir bereit,
durch gottes Gnad und Huld
für jene Ewigkeit.
‡

Was wir von Jesu hören

Here is my translation of the Jesus-hymn “Was wir von Jesu hören” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #97 for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: John 4:47–54) with melody assignment “Wach auf mein Herz und singe” (=“Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren”). The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) includes an English reworking in 6 stanzas of Common Meter, “When We Our Gracious Lord Entreat,” included below.

 

WHAT we discern from Jesus
Must comfort us and please us,
To know His pow’r relieveth
What soul and body‿aggrieveth.

2 When this our soul is ailing,
In grief and sorrow wailing,
Then He will surely cure us,
As His own words assure us.

3 We need but come before Him
And for His help implore Him,
Then will He grant us quickly
Relief from sorrow sickly.

4 Our wounded soul He healeth,
His grace and truth revealeth,
All doubts away are driven
That all our sin’s forgiven.

5 Though He may not be granting
What we from Him are wanting,
He makes us to see clearly
That He will help sincerely.

6 His wondrous works He showeth
And strength on us bestoweth
To overcome all evil,
The world, sin, and the devil.

7 Who will but trust Him purely,
His Word believing surely,
Will find in truth unceasing
Fulfilled His promise pleasing.

8 In God’s most gracious action
Is shown to satisfaction
That He is our Endower
Of Spirit-life and power.

9 True faith He thus supplieth,
Which Satan’s pow’rs defieth,
And here on earth we’re given
A start of life in heaven.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

1 When we our gracious Lord entreat,
And on His word rely;
Though disappointments first we meet:
His grace is ever nigh.

2 Should He at first seem to refuse,
Yet He will grant relief;
Though He reproves and doth accuse
Our doubts and unbelief.

3 Our faith and patience must be tried,
To make us search the ground;
Although at first we are denied,
Yet sure relief is found.

4 Then shall we find His promise true,
Then will His pow’r be known,
And we shall know what Christ can do
When we find what is done.

5 That will produce that living faith,
That will effectual prove;
To ground our hope in life and death,
In Jesus and His love.

6 Now since I evidently see,
My Savior’s grace revealed--
I am assured He e’er will be
My Life, my Guard and Shield.

GERMAN

1 Was wir von Jesu hören
kann uns genugsam lehren,
daß er uns leicht kann retten
aus Leibs- und Seelen-nöthen.

2 Wann unsre kranke Seelen
sich ängsten und sich quälen,
dann wird er uns erweisen
was er uns hat verheißen.

3 Laßt uns nur zu ihm gehen
und ihn um Hilfe flehen,
so wird er uns bald geben
die Kraft zum bessern Leben.

4 Er heilt den Seelenschaden
aus lauter Treu und Gnaden;
er läßt uns auch empfinden
Vergebung unsrer Sünden.

5 Ob er nicht gleich gewähret,
was man von ihm begehret.
So läßt er uns doch sehen,
daß uns muß Hilf geschehen.

6 Er zeig uns Wunderwerke,
wann er uns Kraft und Stärke
gibt, daß wir überwinden
den Teufel, Welt und Sünden.

7 Wers auf sein Wort nur waget
und glaubt fest, was er saget,
den lehren alle Stunden,
was er dabei gefunden.

8 An Gottes Gnadenwerken
kann jede Seele merken,
daß gott ihr hat gegeben,
des Geisteskraft und -leben.

9 Das wirkt den wahren Glauben,
den Satan nicht kann rauben,
so kann dann hier auf Erden
der Himmel auch schon werden.
‡

Was Christus uns im Gleichnis lehrt

Here is my translation of the hymn “Was Christus uns im Gleichnis lehrt” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #96 for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 22:1–14) with melody assignment “Wie schön leucht uns der Morgenstern.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) includes an English reworking in 6 stanzas of Long Meter, “Come, Ye Who Are the Bidden Guests.”

 

WHAT Christ speaks by a parable
Is worthy and desirable,
Sweet truth to all men spreading;
He says the kingdom of God’s grace
Is like a king who had his place
Made ready for a wedding,
Where he
Would see
Guests delighted,
And invited
Many thither,
By his servants yon and hither.

2 All in His kingdom also goes
As in the parable He shows,
Though under figures hidden:
For when He to His Passion fared,
Then was the wedding-feast prepared
To which God hath us bidden.
He who
Wants to
Be possessing
God’s rich blessing,
Life and heaven,
Shall find there his sins forgiven.

3 In time He sent the servants out,
“All things are ready,” is their shout,
Thus to all countries faring
They bid men to His Supper come,
Which He has made for Christendom,
His welcome wide declaring.
He bids,
He pleads
Every nation,
Rank and station
Seek the Savior
And receive His grace and favor.

4 Alas, their cry is oft despised,
Eternal life is little prized,
Much like those sad refusers!
To godly fear they gave no place,
They ridiculed His proffered grace,
Became their own accusers;
For they
(I say,
Like our nation—
Oh, the daring!)
For His ord’nance are uncaring.

5 Where men God’s grace with scorn refuse,
They try their folly to excuse,
Why they have life forsaken;
The first man must attend his lot,
The second man hath oxen bought,
The third a wife hath taken.
Thusly
We see
How God’s fury
Punished Jewry:
Wrath, starvation
Wrought their country’s devastation.

6 Much to the Jews God gave in love,
But they unworthy proved thereof,
Refused His will and pleasure;
They slew the Prophets and reviled
God’s own possession, and yet piled
Their sins in greater measure.
Greatly,
Straitly
Their offending
Met its ending,
Like the scoffers
Who refused God’s gracious offers.

7 God still His grace doth carry forth,
Therefore He bade us search the earth,
The roads and byways seeking;
Whom ye shall find, invite them all—
Both good and evil, great and small,
To all God’s mercy speaking:
God’s love
Doth move
Him to bless you
And possess you,
His creation;
Sinners here can find salvation!

8 May God grant grace unto us all,
To seek Him at His gracious call,
Our King sincerely loving!
Lord Jesus, make us ready, too;
Give us the wedding-garment true
Then we may stand unmoving
When we
Shall be
Placed before Thee;
So in glory
We may meetly
With Thy saints may hail and greet Thee.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

Come ye who are the bidden guests,
Come and partake the Savior’s feast--
We call on you, and all to come,
Pray don’t refuse or stay at home.

2 Act not like as the Jews once did,
When they were to the Gospel bid;
When they despised the calls of God
And trampled on the Savior’s blood.

3 They slew the servants of the Lord,
Brought on themselves the just reward;
God’s judgements they could not avoid:
Their church and city was destroyed.

4 Yet God continuèd His call,
His messengers were sent to all;
The nation’s all of ev’ry land,
Were made to hear His great command.

5 Ye vagrant, wand’ring soul[s], draw near,
Obey the blessed call ye hear;
Come and receive what Christ will give!
Come, and your dying souls shall live.

6 Ye sinners all of ev’ry kind,
Why would you wish to stay behind?
Are ye oppressed and grieved with sin,
Yet Jesus waits to take you in.

GERMAN

Was Christus uns im Gleichnis lehrt,
das ist für uns wohl theur und werth!
o daß mans recht betrachte!
Er sagt, daß Gottes Gnadenreich
sei einem großen König gleich,
der große Hochzeit machte.
Da er
gar sehr
viele Gästen
zu den Besten
seiner Gnaden,
ließ durch seine Diener laden.

2 Wie dort das Gleichnis sonst vorstellt,
und wie die Sache sich verhält,
so ists im Reich der Gnaden:
als Jesu Leiden ward vollbracht,
so ward die Hochzeit ausgemacht,
dazu läßt Gott uns laden.
Wer wollt,
der sollt
reichlich haben
Gottes Gaben,
der sollt finden
die Vergebung aller Sünden.

3 Er sandt die Diener aus zur Zeit
zu sagen alles sei bereit,
sie sollen alle kommen
zu seinem großen Abendmahl,
daß er gerüstet für sie all,
sie seien all willkommen.
Er weist,
er heißt
alle Sünder,
Menschenkinder
zu ihm nahen,
daß sie seine Gnad empfahen.

4 Doch leider wird der Ruf veracht,
das ewig Heil wird nicht bedacht,
wie jene die Verächter,
die hatten keine Furcht vor Gott
und trieben mit der Gnade Spott,
und war nur ihr Gelächter;
denn sie,
(gleichwie
unserm Lande
das zur Schande
man muß sagen)
nicht nach Gottes Ordnung fragen.

5 Wo Gottes Gnade wird veracht,
da wird Entschüldigung gemacht,
man will zum Heil nicht kommen.
Der Erste auf den Acker lauft,
der Andre hat die Ochsen kauft,
der Dritt hats Weib genommen.
Also
giengs zu
bei den Juden
Straf und Ruthen,
Hungersterben
mußte Stadt und Land verderben.

6 Gott hat den Juden viel beschert,
sie aber waren es nicht werth,
sie ließen sich nicht rathen:
Sie brachten die Propheten um
und schmähten Gottes Eigenthum,
und häuften Missethaten.
Wie sehr,
wie schwer
wird die Sünde
Straf empfinden,
wie die Rache
trifft die Spötter Gottes Sache.

7 Gott fähret fort mit seiner Gnad,
deswegen er befohlen hat,
geht hin auf alle Straßen,
Gute, Böse, und wie sie sind,
und ladet alle die ihr findt,
rufts aus in allen Gassen:
Gott liebt,
Gott giebt
allerwegen
Seinen Segen,
hier auf Erden
Sünder können selig werden.

8 Gott woll uns schenken seine Gnad,
daß wie er uns berufen hat,
wir willig zu ihm gehen.
Herr Jesu, mache uns bereit,
schenk uns das rechte Hochzeit-Kleid,
so können wir bestehen,
wann wir
vor Dir
dort erscheinen,
auch mit Deinen
von der Erden
zu dir aufgenommen werden.
‡

Als man einen Kranken dort

Here is my translation of the Jesus hymn, “Als man einen Kranken dort” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #95 for the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 9:1–8) with melody assignment: “Mache dich mein Geist bereit.” Henkel’s English reworking, “Jesus, Physician of the Soul” appears in The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) in 8 stanzas of Long Meter (included below).

 

WHEN a sick man once was brought
To the Lord and Savior,
Oh, what comfort for him wrought
Jesus’ words of favor:
Be it known
O my son,
Thy sins are forgiven,
Death from thee is driven.

2 He lay on the mattress there,s
And for pity waited,
Jesus, of his faith aware,
Soon his heart elated.
Lo, what love
Doth Him move
To console the lowly,
And make sinners holy!

3 Worldlings only scoff at Him,
Who the poor receiveth,
They suppose He doth blaspheme
When He sin forgiveth;
Yet the Son
Can alone
Save all who will rightly
Call on Him contritely.

4 Jesus sees the heart’s true ground;
Though man good appeareth,
In the conscience soon is found
What he most revereth;
Plain as day
He doth lay
Bare all craft and scheming
Of which men are dreaming.

5 Over all things He doth reign,
In the earth and heaven;
What He says must happen when
His command is given;
When the Lord
Speaks His Word,
Sick men lie no longer,
Limbs are healed and stronger.

6 If we feel distress and dread,
If our sins oppress us,
Wounded, sickly, and half-dead,
He will help and bless us.
Jesus’ blood
Maketh good
What our soul aggrieveth,
All our woes relieveth.

7 Soul, in faith take hold of that
Which His words provide thee,
Thereby follow with thy mat
Whither it may guide thee,
Till the Lord
Shall afford
Strength in greater measure,
To do all His pleasure.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

1 Jesus, Physician of the soul,
Each raging evil can control;
He looks on man’s distressèd case,
And shows His pow’r, His love and grace.

2 He knows the anguish such endure,
Which none but He Himself can cure;
None but His sacred pow’r divine,
Can ease such souls who mourn and pine.

3 The head is sick, the heart is faint,
They can’t describe their own complaint;
Such kind of mis’ry as they feel,
Which they themselves cannot reveal.

4 Great pain and anguish fills the heart,
They feel distressed in every part;
A shaking palsy fills the head,
And they are helpless as the dead.

5 These are the great effects of sin,
Defiles the whole of man within;
The cause of all that great distress,
The cause of all unhappiness.

6 When they are to the Savior brought,
They soon will find the help they sought;
For all their sorrows, pain and grief,
The Savior gives them sure relief.

7 He bids them neither doubt nor fear,
By pray’r and confidence draw near;
Their guilt and crimes He will forgive,
Cure their complaints, and make them live.

8 Come then ye sin-sick, needy, poor,
With thankful hearts receive the cure;
His blood will cleanse you of your stain,
And make you heirs of grace again.

GERMAN

1 Als man einen Kranken dort
zu dem Heiland brachte,
o wie tröstlich war das Wort,
das er zu ihm sagte!
Du, mein SOhn,
dir sind schon
deine Sünd vergeben,
du sollt wieder leben.

2 Er lag auf dem Bette da,
wartet auf Erbarmen,
Jesus, der den Glauben sah,
hilft er bald dem Armen.
Jesus giebt,
weil er liebt
Trost den armen Sündern,
Heil den Menschenkindern.

3 Jesus ist nur der Welt Spott,
weil er Arme liebet,
denkt und spricht er lästert Gott,
wann er Sünd vergiebet;
doch bleibt er
ewig, der
alle kann erretten,
die ihn recht anbeten.

4 Jesus sieht des Herzens Grund,
ob man gleich fromm scheinet,
er macht dem Gewissen kund,
wie mans mit ihm meinet,
offenbar
legt er dar
alle List und Ränken,
wie die Menschen denken.

5 Er hat völlig alle Macht
Himmels und der Erden.
Er befehlt und was er sagt
muß auch also werden;
auf sein Wort
konnte dort
Kranke wieder stehen,
mit dem Bette gehen.

6 Fühlen wir die Seelennoth,
drücken uns die Sünden,
verwund und krank und halb todt,
Rettung wird sich finden.
Jesu Blut
machet gut
unsern Seelenschaden
ist dann wohl gerathen.

7 Seele, faß im Glauben nur,
was er dir verheißet,
so hast du die rechte Spur,
die dich weiter weiset,
bis der Herr
dir noch mehr
Licht und Kraft wird geben
fromm vor ihm zu leben.
‡

Was heißt das größeste Gebot

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Was heißt das größeste Gebot” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #94 for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 22:34–46) with melody assignment “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit.” In its place, Paul Henkel has in The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) the English hymn, “What do ye think of Christ indeed” in 6 stanzas of Common Meter.

 

WHAT doth the chief commandment say?
How is the Law fulfillèd?
To love God truly and alway,
And live as He hath willèd—
When God is held the highest Good,
And heart and mind without all fraud
Adhere to Him devoutly.

2 This is the greatest, chief command,
The Christian’s highest labor,
And that one ought in love to stand
Toward every other neighbor.
Here we our second duty see,
Nor can the twain divided be:
God hath them both commanded.

3 This Moses and the Prophets teach,
Here all their Law is heeded:
Who has this, need no further reach,
No further law is needed.
For love itself doth make us love,
And to fulfill the Law doth move,
As Paul himself informs us.

4 This is the work of God alone,
Accomplished by His Spirit,
By this we walk the pathway shown,
By His good grace and merit.
This comforts them in all distress,
Till they at last in blessedness
Behold their God with gladness.

5 Then Jesus, God’s own Son, is known
And clearly manifested,
Though Scripture calleth Him God’s Son,
As in by the flesh attested.
Ye He is very God as well,
Who reigneth over death and hell,
And shall be King forever.

6 Lord Jesus, also be our Lord,
Thy leading wise provide us;
A stronger faith to us afford;
Thyself direct and guide us.
O’ercome in us all of our foes,
Who our salvation still oppose,
That we may ever love Thee.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

What do ye think of Christ indeed;
Who do ye say is he?
To judge this matter take ye heed,
And search the truth and see.

2 We call him David's son 'tis true,
As written in the word--
But it must be remember'd too,
That David calls him Lord.

3 The Lord whom David freely own'd,
To be his sovereign head:
With whom his soul had ever found
Such grace as he did need.

4 Who is he then in my esteem,
My soul what dost thou feel;
Wilt thou not ask that grace from him,
To learn and do his will.

5 He is the Pearl of greater price!
And those who love him best,
Shall be with greatest hopes and joys;
For evermore possess'd.

6 What think ye then ye sons of men?
Should he not be our King;
Should we not wish with him to reign,
And e'er his praise to sing?

GERMAN

Was heißt das größeste Gebot,
und das Gesetzt erfüllen?
daß man recht herzlich liebe Gott
und leb nach seinem Willen,
wann Gott das allerhöchste Gut,
daran das Herze, Sinn und Muth
mit allen Kräften hanget.

2 Das ist der größt vornehmst befehl,
für Christen auszuüben;
und daß man auch den Nächsten soll,
gleich wie sich selber lieben.
Daß ist die andre Christen-Pflicht,
und trennt sich von der ersten nicht,
Gott hat sie beid befohlen.

3 Darin besteht die ganze Lehr
Mosis und der Propheten.
Wer dieses hat, bedarf nichts mehr,
hat kein Gesetz von Nöthen;
weil Liebe selbst zum Lieben weist,
und das Gesetzt erfüllen heißt,
wie Paulus selber lehret.

4 Dies aber ist selbst Gottes Werk,
durch seinen Geist geschehen,
das giebt den Christen Kraft und Stärk
in Gottes Weg zu gehen,
das tröstet sie in aller NOth,
bis sie dann endlich werden Gott
dort in der Freude scheuen.

5 Dann wird auch Jesus Gottes Sohn,
im rechten Licht erkennet,
ob ihn die Schrift gleich Davids Sohn
wohl nach dem Fleische nennet.
So ist er dennoch wahrer Gott,
er herrschet über Höll und TOd,
wird ewiglich regieren.

6 Herr Jesu, sei auch unser Herr,
uns selber leit und führe,
den Glauben stets in uns vermehr
und auch in uns regiere..
Ach, tilge in uns alle Feind,
die unserm Heil zuwider seind,
daß wir dich ewig lieben.
‡

Als Christus war auf Erden

Here is my translation of the Jesus hymn, “Als Christus war auf Erden” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #93 for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Luke 14:1–11) with melody assignment “Wach auf, mein Herz und singe” (i.e., “Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren”). The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) has an English hymn in 7 stanzas of Common Meter, “The Savior’s Love Will Ne’er Grow Faint,” somewhat departing from our German text by introduction of a subjective application at the end.

 

WHEN Christ for our salvation
Came in His incarnation,
His pow’r He manifested,
His wisdom He attested.

2 He saw with deep compassion
His ailing, poor creation,
In every place wherever,
He could forget them never.

3 He healed without restriction
The sick in their affliction;
Man’s Friend and Savior holy
Helps every sinner lowly.

4 He from corruption freeth,
Sin’s pardon, life decreeth
For them who ask sincerely;
His help He shows them clearly.

5 No hour or season binds Him,
No point or place confines Him.
His gifts we can be given
All places under heaven.

6 How great a love He provèd,
By what great love was movèd
When He was slaughtered for us
His heaven to procure us.

7 Humility He’d teach us,
Lest praise of self impeach us,
Would have us reckon solely
That we are small and lowly.

8 For who himself revereth
Great peril thereby neareth;
He first of all creation
May fall to his damnation.

9 To him alone who liveth
In lowliness God giveth
His gifts to have forever
In heaven with his Savior.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

The Savior’s love will ne’er grow faint,
Toward the sons of men;
His gracious ear hears their complaints,
Their cries are not in vain.

2 He proved Himself the sov’reign Lord,
And gave the world to know
What wonders His commanding Word
In every case can do.

3 He pitied man, that helpless worm,
Thus lying in his blood;
What acts of love does He perform,
To make him know his God!

4 The helpless, needy, and the poor
Alike received His aid,
And all were made to know His pow’r,
Who His commands obeyed.

5 What would my Savior do for me,
If I would state my case?
Could I expect that I would be
An object of His grace?

6 How many would be my complaints,
Could I but know in part
My chief diseases and my wants
And evils of my heart!

7 At all events I will presume,
To venture near His throne,
Since Jesus bids all sinners come
And learn what He has done.

GERMAN

Als Christus war auf Erden,
für uns das Heil zu werden,
zeigt er durch Wunderwerke
sein Weisheit, Macht und Stärke.

2 Er sahe mit Erbarmen
auf Kranke und auf Armen,
die waren allerwegen
ihm herzlich angelegen.

3 Er that es nicht versagen,
zu heilen alle Plagen,
der Freund der Menschenkindern
hilft allen Armen Sündern.

4 Er löst sie vom Verderben,
läßt sie in Sünd nicht sterben,
die herzlich zu ihm flehen,
die läßt er Hilfe sehen.

5 Er ist an keine Stunden
an Zeit noch Ort gebunden:
wir können seine Gaben
an allen Orten haben.

6 Wie groß war seine Liebe,
wie groß die Liebestriebe,
als er für uns gestorben,
den Himmel uns erworben.

7 Er will uns Demuth lehren,
daß wir uns selbst nicht ehren,
uns selber so betrachten,
daß wir gering uns achten.

8 Dann wer sich selbst erhöhet,
gewiß gefährlich stehet,
er kann vor andren allen
erst ins Verderben fallen.

9 Nur denen will Gott geben,
die hier in Demuth leben,
daß sie im Himmel haben
auf ewig Gottes Gaben.
‡

Der wunderbare Gott

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Der wunderbare Gott” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #91 for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 6:24–34) with melody assignment “O Gott du frommer Gott.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) gives here in 8 stanzas of Common Meter the English text, “They Who That Sacred Office Bear,” a further improvement of our hymn which, refining the interpretation of the Gospel to the pastoral office, turns the present hymn’s focus on God’s general provision to God’s specific care of ministers of the church, by whom as His instruments He also provides for the church.

 

THE God of wondrous ways
Has wonder-working power
To help in troublous days
And in the needful hour.
Whoever will but trust
In God in every woe,
Is not left in the dust,
But shall deliv’rance know.

2 The God of wondrous ways
Knows well how He will mend it,
Nor His own course displays;
So leave Him to attend it
And lead thee as He knows,
Through cross and tragedy,
Then howsoe’er it goes,
It will be good for thee.

3 The God of wondrous ways
Knows well how to sustain thee,
Thy daily bread conveys,
So to His care constrain thee;
He knows what thou hast not,
He seeth all the rest,
He chooses well thy lot,
For thee it shall be best.

4 Fret not with anxious care
As heathen men, nor worry
What thou wilt eat or wear,
The Lord will all procure thee,
Be only ever true,
Perform thy task and lot,
Then thou wilt see anew,
The Lord forsakes thee not.

5 The world and God can we
Not love from heart sincerely;
That grieves Him heartily
Which this world loveth dearly;
Who serveth Christ his Lord,
Like as a Christian blest,
He gladly doth afford
To him all that is best.

6 Who doth God’s kingdom seek
That it may be extended,
Hears Christ the Savior speak
To him this promise splendid,
To grant him all his days
His needs here and above;
So shall He do always
From utter grace and love.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

They who that sacred office bear,
Who act in Jesus’ stead—
It should be their delight and care
To be like Christ their Head.

2 They should not seek for wealth on earth
Or what the world afford,
But act for things of greater worth,
The kingdom of their Lord:

3 The Christian Church on earth to build,
As Jesus gave command;
And to His wise disposals yield,
And trust His bounteous hand.

4 For their support the Lord provides,
Who ev’ry creature feeds,
And all that they may want besides,
He gives them as they need.

5 His ways to humans are unknown,
But full of love and grace;
Commit thy way to Him alone,
And trust unto His ways.

6 His servants He will ne’er forsake;
They need not be afraid,
When in His cause they undertake,
He gives them pow’r and aid.

7 Let no such anxious thoughts arise;
What shall we eat or wear?
The Lord who all your wants supplies,
Will make your wants His care.

8 In all afflictions and distress,
He bears them safely through;
He is their Light, their Life, and Peace
Whilst they act here below.

GERMAN

Der wunderbare Gott
hat wunderbare Wege
zu helfen aus der Noth,
zu schaffen Hilf und Pflege:
wer nur Vertrauen hat
zu Gott in allem Leid,
der findet immer Rath,
auch in der bösen Zeit.

2 Der wunderbare Gott
hat seinen Weg verborgen,
er weiß wohl was er thut,
drum laß du ihn nur sorgen;
und führet er dich wohl
durch Kummer, Kreuz und Noth,
so geht es wie es woll,
und kommt dir doch zu gut.

3 Der wunderbare Gott,
der weiß dich zu erhalten,
sorgt für dein täglich Brod,
drum laß du ihn nur walten;
er weiß wohl was dir fehlt,
er sieht es gar wohl ein;
was er für dich erwählt,
das muß das Beste sein.

4 Sorg nur nicht wie ein Heid
für Essen oder Trinken,
auch nicht für Schuh noch Kleid,
der Herr wirds dir schon schenken,
sei du nur allzeit treu,
verricht dein Amt und Pflicht,
so bleibts gewiß dabei,
der Herr verläßt dich nicht.

5 Man kann nicht Gott und Welt
von Herzen beide lieben;
denn was der Welt gefällt,
thut Jesum nur betrüben;
wer Jesum, seinem Herrn,
dient als ein wahrer Christ,
dem giebt er herzlich gern,
was ihm das Beste ist.

6 Wer nur fürs Erste tracht
des Herren Reich zu mehren,
dem hat er zugesagt,
daß er ihm will bescheren,
was er im Leben hier,
wohl allzeit nöthig hat,
das thut er für und für,
aus lauter Lieb und Gnad.
‡