Nun lasset uns Gott danken

Here is my second translation of the Harvest festival hymn, “Nun lasset uns Gott danken” (Josua Wegelin, d. 1640), in ELGB #238, appearing earlier in the Gotha Gsb 1699 with initials “M. J. W.” An earlier translation appears in Lutheran Prayer Companion #70 (p. 412), where the hymn, following the German basis, is erroneously ascribed to “J. Weber.” I make no claim to superiority with the second translation, but perhaps have opted for more exacting literalness this time over smoothness and poetic flourish as in LPC 70. The appointed melody is “Nun lob mein Seel den Herren.”

 

NOW thank we God our Maker
For all His grace that we have known!
Think how on many an acre
What goodness unto us was shown,
What fruits by Him were given,
So as to fill the land
And blessings oft from heaven
Were placed into thy hand;
Fields prospered by His action
Though sown by hands of men,
And by His benefaction
His gifts were gathered in.

2 Who would not publish freely
That this God’s pow’r and wisdom wrought?
Who would not call it really
God’s kindness, by no merit bought?
It is not he who soweth,
Who cuts the harvest down,
Who cares for all that groweth,
Who drives it into town;
But God who there attendeth
And doth His blessing add—
On Him it all dependeth,
If good shall e’er be had.

3 When for our own possessing,
He gives us fruit in town and field
By His paternal blessing,
And we enjoy a bounteous yield,
His name we shall be praising,
His benefits extol,
Songs to His glory raising,
For grace so great and full;
We’ll thank Him for His favor,
With lips His name adore,
And in our works not waver
From Him forevermore.

4 To do this, then, provide me
Thy help, O faithful God, my Head;
Upon Thy pathway guide me
Bless me and bless my daily bread;
And let me know the pleasure
With Christian love to flow,
That of Thy granted treasure
The poor may also know,
And I may not endeavor
Rich only here to be,
But may inherit ever
The kingdom heavenly.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Nun lasset uns Gott danken
für seine Gnad und sein' Wohlthat;
nun lasset uns bedenken,
was Er uns jetzt erzeiget hat,
die Früchte hat Er geben
gar reichlich auf dem land
und auch dazu sein'n Segen
geliefert in dei Hand,
das alles wohlgerathen,
was man gesäet aus,
und durch seine Gutthaten
auch wohlgebracht zu Haus.

2 Wer sollt das nicht erkennen
für Gottes Macht und weisen Rath?
Wer wollte es nicht nennen
als eine göttliche Wohlthat:
Es ist nichts, der da säet,
nichts, der da schneidet ein,
nichts, der damit umgehtet
nichts, der es fähret ein,
Gott muß mit seinem Segen
auch selber dabei sein,
an dem ist es gelegen,
wenns wohl soll kommen ein.

3 Und wann Er denn uns geben
die Frücht im Feld und in der Stadt,
durch seinen Vater-Segen,
daß man alles wohl einbracht hat,
als soll man Thu ja preisen,
und rühmen die Wohlthat,
Ihm Ehr allzeit erweisen,
für solche große Gnad,
von Herzens-Grund Ihm danken,
und loben mit dem Mund,
in Werken auch nicht wanken
von Ihm zu keiner Stund.

4 Daß solches nun geschehe,
so hilf Du mir getreuer Gott,
leit' mich auf Deinem Wege,
segne mich und mein täglich Brod;
laß mich es auch genießen
christlich in meinem Haus,
daß meine Bächlein fließen
zu den Armen heraus,
und ich nicht nur hier zeitlich
an Früchten werde reich,
sondern auch dort seliglich
ererb' das Himmelreich.

Hilf uns Herr in allen Dingen

Here is my supplemental translation (and re-translation) of the vocation hymn “Hilf uns Herr in allen Dingen (M. Rinkart, 1655?), inspired by and expanding on Psalm 118:25, the rest of which appears in a different form in Lutheran Prayer Companion #67. Fischer surmises that it was composed under the harsh events of the Thirty Years’ War, though it is not mentioned in Wetzel or Rambach’s anthologies, nor in Plato’s biography of Rinkart; he first finds it in Niedling’s Handbüchlein (Altenburg, 1655) as a morning devotion hymn for Mondays, with the title: “King David’s and every Christian suppliant’s daily votum, whenever he goes to work, from Psalm 118 [:25]: “O Lord, save, O Lord, send prosperity. To the tune: ‘Wie nach einer Wasserquelle [Freu dich sehr],’ etc. M. Mart. Rinckharti.” He adds that many hymnals only include the original stanzas 1, 2, 4, 7, and 11. To be more precise, they include a cento, with st. 7a and 8b, so the usual form now is: 1, 2, 4, 7a-8b, 11, the last two lines of 11 being modified as well. This is the case both in the Gebetsschatz (Lutheran Prayer Companion) and in the Wisconsin Synod hymnal as well. Because of this, and because of some repeating themes across several stanzas, I thought it best to offer a new translation in toto. That found in LPC is probably smoother, and could be augmented with the new stanzas here if attention is taken to ensure that stanza “7” (7a-8b) is carefully dissected. In researching the origin for the final alternate lines, I discovered in Unschuldige Nachrichten (1713) that the one credited for creating the shorter cento as well as these lines (and two lines in stanza 1) is none other than Angelus Silesius, Dr. Johann Scheffler, who includes the cento in his works as a “Brief Litany,” since it offers petitions for various things. The author here notes that stanzas 5–6 can only be omitted in time of peace. Interestingly, he also notes that although Scheffler sadly poped, the hymns in his collection may be sung because there is nothing popish in them, except the first one which “praises Mary at length.”

HELP us, Lord, in all our labors,
That we start and end aright
Our due task for Thee and neighbors;
Give us wisdom, pow’r, and might,
For without Thy blessing hand
Lost is city, lost the land;
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

2 Help us, Lord, in every station,
Where we need Thee, God, our Rock,
Break hell’s gates and domination,
Give to us, Thy needy flock,
And to Christians gen’rally
Love and peace and unity.
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

3 Help us, Lord, in all our living,
Both in good times and in ill,
Working, striving, battle giving
’Gainst the devil’s guileful will,
’Gainst the flesh’s lust and pride,
’Gainst the world’s vainglory snide;
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

4 Help us, Lord, in all distresses,
All afflictions, dangers, needs.
All that to our death would press us,
All that to our ruin leads,
By Thine hand, as seen in past,
Shall be for our good at last!
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

5 Help us, Lord, from war deliver,
Save us from its torrents dire;
Break the rod of wrath forever,
Cast it in the glowing fire;
Let us, from this yoke releas’d,
Die in peace, our warfare ceased;
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

6 Help us, Lord, from famine’s power,
From starvation’s empty shelf,
Which leads us to death’s dark bower
And is worse than death itself
Let us our due portion gain,
Both excess and want restrain;
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

7 Help us, Lord, in all our sadness,
In our last, distressing breath,
Let us journey hence with gladness,
By Thee and Thy bitter death
*Till at last we have acquired
Yonder gate of Life desired.
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

8 Help us, Lord, from all the anguish
Of this brief and idle age,
From this exile, where we languish,
To our blessed heritage,
*To Thy Paradise on high—
Thine the glory, ours the joy.
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

9 Help us, Lord, from all our doubting
In the anguish of the soul,
Reason, world, and devil routing,
Which in us long took their toll.
Let Thy Word, O Jesus, be
Our dear prize eternally!
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

10 Help us, Lord, from every terror
In the anguish of our sin,
That we build on our Sin-bearer,
Who did our atonement win:
O Lord Jesus, let Thy blood
Be for me the highest good.
Help us, Lord, in each endeavor,
And let all things prosper ever!

11 Help us, Lord, in life’s subsiding,
From the dread of hellish flame,
That we, manfully abiding,
Overcome, as Christ o’ercame;
Let Thine hand, O Christ, we pray,
Give us help and be our stay,
That we may, in each endeavor, [That we may, when done contending,]
Sing Thy praise and glory ever. [Bring Thee praise and thanks unending.]

Translation © 2016, 2022 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Dingen,
daß wir unser Amt und Werk
wohl anfangen und vollbringen!
Gieb uns Weisheit, Kraft und Stärk!
Ohne deine Segenshand [ohn deine Hilf und Gunst]
ist verloren Stadt und Land. [ist all unser Werk umsonst.]
Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

2 Hilf uns Herr, an allen Orten,
wo wir dein bedürftig sein,
brich der Höllen Macht und Pforten
und gieb deinem Häufelein
und der ganzen Christenheit
Liebe, Fried und Einigkeit.
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

3 Hilf uns, Herr, auf allen Seiten,
in dem Glück und in Unglück,
kämpfen, streiten und arbeiten
wider Satans List und Tück,
wider Fleisches Lust und Pracht,
wider weltlich Ehr und Macht,
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

4 Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Nöten,
aller Trübsal und Gefahr;
alles, was uns könnte töten
und verderben ganz und gar
durch dein Hand und deinen Fuß
uns zum Besten dienen muß.
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

5 Hilf uns, Herr, aus allen Fluten
der betrübten Kriegesnot,
wirf einmal die Zornes-Ruten
in die Glut, die Feuer-rot:
Laß uns ohne dieses Joch
nur im Friede sterben noch:
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

6 Hilf uns, Herr, aus allem Jammer
der besorgten Hungersnot,
die uns führt zur Todeskammer
und ist ärger als der Tod.
Unser Mäßlein uns bescher,
Überfluß und Mangel wehr:
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

7 Hilf uns, Herr aus allem Leiden
in der letzten Todesnot,
laß uns fahren hin mit Freuden,
und durch dich und deinen Tod [cento: und durch deinen bittern Tod]
*bald und glücklich kommen fort
zum erwünschten Lebensport.
Hilf uns, Herr in allen Dingen
und laß Alles wohl gelingen.

8 Hilf uns, Herr, aus allen Ängsten
dieser eiteln, kurzen Zeit,
in das Land, da wir am längsten
bleiben in all Ewigkeit,
* in das schöne Paradeis [cento: kommen in das Paradeis,]
uns zur Freude, dir zum Preis.
Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Dingen
und laß alles wohl gelingen.

9 Hilf uns, Herr, aus allem Zweifel,
in der größten Seelenangst,
die uns Welt, Vernunft und Teufel
eingebildet hat vorlängst.
O Herr Jesu, laß dein Wort
sein und bleiben unser Hort.
Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Dingen
und laß alles wohl gelingen.

10 Hilf uns, Herr, aus allen Grauen
in der größten Sündenangst,
daß wir auf die Zahlung bauen,
die u hast getan vorlängst:
O Herr Jesu, laß dein Blut
mir ja kommen auch zugut.
Hilf uns, Herr, in allen Dingen
und laß alles wohl gelingen.

11 Hilf uns, Herr, in letzte Zügen;
hilf: nach unsre Zuversicht
laß uns ritterlich obsiegen
und zu Schanden werden nicht.
O, Herr Jesu, deine Hand
leist uns Hülfe und Beistand,
daß wir dir in allen Dingen [daß wir nach vollbrachtem Ringen]
ewig Lob und Ehre singen. [Lob und Dank dir ewig bringen.]

 

Amen, Gott Vatr und Sohn

Here is my translation of  “Amen, Gott Vatr und Sohn,” the concluding prayer hymn (Anonymous) appearing as Evangelisch-Lutherisches Gesanagbuch #45 (2 stanzas) and evidently related to the similarly-titled #695 in 5 (a translation of which is found in Lutheran Prayer Companion, hymn #71, p. 413). Fischer, in his Kirchenlieder-Lexicon, summarizes the history of the latter and thereby of the former: “A Trinitarian closing hymn on the word ‘Amen’ in 6 [? later 5] stanzas. Melody: ‘Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren.’ The notable hymn is first found in the hymnal Geistliche Lieder unnd Psalmen, Erffurdt 1611 . . . with the title ‘Of the glory and coming of Christ.’ It was altered somewhat by combination with the closing or ‘Amen’ stanzas from hymns of Ludwig Helmbold . . . In some hymnals, as in Gotha 1660, Magdeburg 1738, Schleusingen 1745, it was therefore attributed to Helmbold without further explanation. But the Erfurt hymnal 1648 justly titles it: ‘Drawn from certain festival hymns of Helmbold.’ . . . An excerpt from our hymn: ‘Amen, Gott Vatr und Sohn / sei Lob ins Himmels Thron’ in 2 stanzas (Melody: ‘Auf meinen lieben Gott’) is found as a post-sermon hymn in Halberstadt and the Liederschatz.”

 

AMEN! be praise and laud
To Father, Son, one God!
His Spirit work faith in us
Let naught from God’s Word win us,
Preserve it in us ever,
Till He our life-cord sever.

2 Amen! God’s praises own,
Who points us to His Son!
May He help and deliver
Us all in Christ our Savior,
And after this life’s sadness,
Grant us the crown of gladness!

Translation © 2022 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Amen, Gott Vatr und Sohn
sei Lob ins Himmelsthrone,
sein Geist stärk uns im Glauben,
laß uns das Wort nicht rauben;
er woll's in uns bewahren,
bis wir von hinnen fahren.

2 Amen, Gott sei gepreist,
der uns auf Jesum weist,
der helf uns all'n zusammen
in Jesu Christi Namen,
und woll nach diesem Leben
die Freudenkron uns geben.

German for the 5-stanza version (English in Lutheran Prayer Companion #71):

GERMAN

1 Amen, Gott Vat'r und Sohne
sei Lob ins Himmelsthrone!
Sein Geist stärk uns im Glauben
und mach uns selig, Amen.

2 Amen! es wird geschehen,
wir werden Christum sehen
ins Himmels Wolken kommen,
uns mitzunehmen; Amen.

3 Amen! uns ewig währe
die Freude; Gott die Ehre!
Bringt alle Sprachn zusammen
in einem Glauben! Amen.

4 Amen! kein Tod soll schrecken!
Christus will uns erwecken,
der selbst zuvor begraben,
nun ewig lebet! Amen.

5 Amen! Gott sei gepreiset!
der Geist auf Christum weiset;
der helf uns all zusammen
ins ewge Leben! Amen.