Christus der uns selig macht

Here is my composite of previous translations with my own corrections, and my translation of st. 8, of the Passion hymn “Christus der uns selig macht” (M. Weisse, 1531), a German translation of the 14th c. Latin hymn “Patris Sapientia,” for the Canonical Hours of Good Friday, using their traditional names: (Lauds, i.e., before sunrise), (Prime, 6 AM), Terce (9 AM), Sext (12 PM), Nones (3 PM), Vespers (at sunset), Compline (at bedtime). If you wish to include the terms Lauds and Prime, you can use these alternate lines: stanza 1, line 3: "At the hour of Lauds for us"; stanza 2, line 1: "Then at Prime, the morning hour." Ludecus appoints it under the section from Palmarum through Good Friday. It takes the melody of the Latin hymn, as found in the hymnals of the Bohemian Brethren. Here is Bach's take.


CHRIST, WHO saves us by His cross,
And no sin committed,
In the dark of night for us
Was with shackles fitted,
Brought before a wicked court
Falsely charged, and smitten,
Spit upon, and mocked in sport,
As in Scripture written.

2. At the morning’s dawning hour,
As a rogue depicted,
Christ was under Pilate’s pow’r
Brought to be convicted:
Though he judged Him innocent
Of the charge of treason,
Yet to Herod was He sent
Urged by murd’rous reason.

3. Then at Terce His flesh was torn,
And by scourges furrowed
And a cruèl crown of thorn
In His brow deep-burrowed;
Mocked with robes of purple rich,
On all sides was chastened,
Made to bear the cross to which
He would soon be fastened.

4. Then at Sext the Son of God
In His crucifixion,
Naked but for the streams of blood,
Prayed with great affliction,
Those who hung or stood in view
Had Him in derision,
Till the sun her beams withdrew
From so sad a vision.

5. Then at Nones did Jesus call,
“How I am forsaken!”
Having vinegar and gall
Tasted but not taken,
Then His ghost to God He sent,
Shook the earth with wonder,
Gave the temple vail a rent,
Cleft the rocks asunder.

6. At the hour of Vesper-tide,
Robbers’ shins were broken,
But a spear pierced Jesus’ side,
For a lasting token:
Thence both blood and water flows,
To fulfill the Scriptures,—
As John’s holy Gospel shows —
All for us poor creatures.

7. When the hour of Compline came,
And the day was ended,
Joseph took His savior’s frame
From the cross suspended,
Laying it with custom grace
In his stony chamber,
Where guards kept it safe three days,
As Matthew remembers.

8. Grant, O Christ, God’s very Son,
By Thy bitter Passion
That all evils we may shun,
As Thy faithful nation;

Grant us fruitfully to think
On Thy death and suff’ring,
And for that, though oft we sink,
Bring Thee thankful off’ring!

Translation sts. 1–7 composite (editing © 2010 M. Carver).
st. 8, © 2009 M. Carver.

GERMAN

1. Christus der uns selig macht,
kein Bös hat begangen,
der ward für uns in der Nacht
als ein Dieb gefangen,
geführt vor gottlose Leut,
und fälschlich verklaget,
verlacht, verhöhnt und verspeit,
wie denn die Schrift saget.

2. In der ersten Tagesstund
ward er unbescheiden
als ein Mörder dargestellt
Pilato, dem Heiden,
der ihn unschuldig bestand,
ohne Sach des Todes,
ihn derhalben von sich sandt
zum König Herodes.

3. Um drei ward der Gottessohn
mit Geißeln geschmissen
und sein Haupt mit einer Kron
von Dornen zerrissen;
gekleidet zu Hohn und Spott
ward er sehr geschlagen,
und das Kreuz zu seinem Tod
mußt er selber tragen.

4. Um sechs ward er nackt und bloß
an das Kreuz geschlagen,
an dem er sein blut vergroß,
betet mit Wehklagen:
die Zuseher spotten sein,
auch die bei ihm hingen,
bis die Sonn auch ihren Schein
entzog solchen Dingen.

5. Jesus schrie zur neunten Stund,
klaget sich verlassen;
bald ward Gall in seinen Mund
mit Essig gelassen;
da gab er auf seinen Geist,
und die Erd erbebet,
des Tempels Vorhang zerreißt,
und manch Fels zerklöbet.

6. Da hat man zur Vesperzeit
die Schächer zerbrochen,
ward Jesus in seiner Seit
mit eim Speer gestochen,
daraus Blut und Wasser rann,
die Schrift zu erfüllen,
wie Johannes zeiget an,
nur um unsertwillen.

7. Da der Tag sein Ende nahm,
der Abend war kommen,
ward Jesus vons Kreuzes Stamm
durch Joseph genommen,
herrlich, nach Jüdischer Art,
in ein Grab geleget,
allda mit Hütern verwahrt,
wie Matthäus zeiget.

8. O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn,
durch dein bitter Leiden,
daß wir stets dir unterthan
all Untugend meiden,
deinen Tod und sein Ursach
fruchtbarlich bedenken,
dafür, wiewohl arm und schwach,
dir Dankopfer schenken. (Amen.)

HENRY S. DRINKER

1. Christ, through whom we all are blest,
Knew no evil doing.
Him at night did they arrest,
Like a thief pursuing.
Led before the godless throng
And falsely convicted.
Laughed at, scoffed at, spat upon,
As the Word predicted.

MORAVIAN HYMN-BOOK

1. Christ, who saves us by His cross,
Who in naught offended,
He was in the night for us
Betrayed, apprehended,
Led before a wicked race,
Falsely was accusèd,
Laughed at, mocked, spit in the face,
Shamefully abusèd.

2. In the morn, at the sixth hour,
He was led with fury,
As a foe of civil pow’r,
’Fore a heathen jury,
Who him tried, but found him free
Of th’ imputed treason;
Herod mockèd Him, yet He
Found for death no reason.

3. At nine was the Son of God
By the scourges furrowed,
And the thorny crown forc’d blood
From His sacred forehead.
With a purple garment mocked,
On all sides assailèd,
He must bear the cross to which
He was to be nailèd.

4. He at noon was on the cross
Reared for our transgression,
Where He prayed and bled for us,
To procure salvation:
The spectators shook their heads,
Had Him in derision,
Till the sun His beams withdrew
From so sad a vision.

5. At three Jesus cried, “My God,
Why am I forsaken?”
Having vinegar and gall,
Which was offered, taken,
He then yielded up the ghost!
Pause, my soul, and wonder;—
Then the temple’s vail was rent,
Rocks were cleft asunder.

6. When the Lord of glory died,
Not a bone was broken,
But a soldier pierced His side
For a lasting token:
From thence streamed a double flood
Of a cleansing nature;
Both the water and the blood
Wash the guilty creature.

7. Joseph, having leave obtained,
And got spices ready,
From the cross (by love constrained)
Took our Savior’s body:
Had it, with all decent grace,
To His own tomb carried;
Where the keepers for three days
To secure it tarried.

8. Grant, O Christ, Thou Son of God,
Through Thy bitter passion,
That we, as Thy smart’s reward,
Joy in Thy salvation:
That we ever weigh the cause
Of Thy death and suff’ring,
Yea for this, though poor we are,
Bring thee our thank-off’ring!

JACOBI (1725)

1 Christ, by Whose all-saving Light
Mankind benefited,
Was for Sinners in the Night
As a Thief committed.
Dragged before a wicked Court
Of the Jewish Clergy ;
Where they tried their worst Effort
'Gainst the Lord of Mercy.

2. Sentenced early by this Crew,
As the worst of Sinners,
Came to Pilate, who foreknew
This Tumult's Beginners :
Though he judged Him innocent
Of their Accusation,
Yet to Herod He was sent
For his Arbitration.

3. Then His holy Flesh was torn
With inhuman Lashes,
And His blessed Head in Scorn
- Crowned of sinful Ashes :
Cloathed in a Purple Dress,
Mocked, and beat, and bruised ;
Thus the Source of Holiness
Was by Sin misused.

4. Then at Noon the Son of God
To the Cross was nailed.
Where His fervent Prayer and Blood
For our Sins prevailed :
The Spectators shook their Head,
Had Him in derision,
Till the Sun-light mourning fled
From so sad a Vision.

5. When at Three they heard Him call :
“Why am I forsaken ?”
Strait was Vinegar mixed with Gall
Offered, but not taken :
Then to God His Spirit went,
Shaking the Earth with Wonder,
Gave the Vail a thorough Rent,
Cleft the Rocks asunder.

6. At the approaching Evening Tide,
Criminals Bones were broken ;
But the Spear pierced Jesus' Side,
For a lasting Token :
Which poured forth a double Flood
Of a cleansing Nature.
Both the Water and the Blood
Wash the guilty Creature.

7. Joseph, when the Eve was come,
Took his dearest Master,
Laid Him in his Stately Tomb,
Hewn in Alabaster ;
Nicodem, now void of Fear,
Brought the richest Spices :
Thus these holy Men paid here
Their last Sacrifices.

8. Grant, O Jesu, blessed Lord,
By Thy Cross and Passion,
Thy blest Love may be adored
By the whole Creation :
Hating Sin, the woful Cause
Of Thy Death and Suffering,
Give our Heart to_obey Thy Laws
As the best Thanks-offering.


J.M. NEALE (FROM THE LATIN):
1. Circled by His enemies,
By His own forsaken,
God made Man, at time of LAUDS,
For our sakes was taken:
Very Wisdom, Very Light,
Monarch long expected,
In the garden by the Jews
Bought, betrayed, afflicted.

2. See them, at the hour of PRIME,
Unto Pilate leading
Him, ‘gainst Whom with lying tongues
Witnesses are pleading;
There with spitting and with shame
Ill for good they render,
Marring of That Face which gives
Heav’n Eternal splendour.

3. “Crucify Him!” for His love
Is their bitter payment,
When they lead Him forth at TERCE,
Clad in purple raiment;
And a Crown of woven thorns
On his Head He weareth,
And the Cross to Calvary
On His Shoulders beareth.

4. He upon the Cross at SEXT
for man’s sake was mounted,
By the passers-by reviled,
With transgressors counted:
Mocking, vinegar, and gall
To His thirst they proffer:
To the Holy Lamb of God
Such taunts they offer.

5. At the hour of NONE the strife
Long and sharp was ended,
Gently to His Father’s Hands
He his soul commended:
And a soldier pierced His Side
With a spear unbidden,
While earth quaked exceedingly,
And the sun was hidden.

6. When it came to VESPER-time,
From the Cross they take Him,
Whose great Love t bear such woes
For our sakes could make Him:
Such a death He underwent,
Our alone Physician,
That of everlasting Life
We might have fruition.

7. At the holy COMPLINE-tide,
Holy hands array Him
In the garments of the grave,
Where the mourners lay Him:
Myrrh and spices have they brought,–
Scripture is completed;
And by death, the Prince of Life,
Death and hell defeated.

8. Therefore these Canonical
Hours my tongue shall ever
In thy praise, O Christ, recite
With my heart’s endeavour:
That the Love, Which for my sake
Bore such tribulation,
In mine own Death-agony
May be my Salvation.

TROUTBECK (st. 1 only):

1. See the Lord of Life and Light,
Savior meek and lowly,
Taken like a thief at night,
Bound by hands unholy,
See the sinless Son of God
Shameful mockings bearing,
Bitter taunts, a cruèl rod,
Doom of sinners sharing.

OTHER TRANSLATIONS:

• The wisdom of the Father, and truth divine beside (Primer 1604)
• As night departing brings the day (Primer, 1706)
• The wisdom of the heavenly Father (D. French 1839)
• Christ the Author of our peace (Burlingham 1866)
• ‘Twas at the solemn Matins’ hour (Aylward, in Shipley’s Annus Sanctus, 1884).

Christus wahrer Gottes Sohn

Here is my translation of the narrative Lenten hymn “Christus wahrer Gottes Sohn” (M. Weiße, 1531), on the life of Jesus Christ, especially the events leading up to the Passion, and is perhaps most appropriate for Palmarum or Holy Wednesday. It is probably originally devised as a prequel to “Christus der uns selig macht” [Christ, Who Saves Us By His Cross]. Ludecus appoints the hymn under the section covering Palmarum through Good Friday. The melody is that of the original Latin hymn “Patris sapientia, veritas divina” (14th c.).

CHRIST, THE very Son of God,
In His incarnation
Merited great praise and laud
For His deeds so gracious:
In Judæa He began
Doing works of wonder,
Envious scribes there, too, did plan
Him of life to plunder.

2. He revealed their wickedness
And their fame subsided,
So they hated his success,
And His works derided,
Claiming that His doctrines came
From the devils doing,
And that in Him was the same,
Evil pow’r imbuing.

3. Lazarus, a godly man
Soon grew sick and perished,
Jesus then came to His aid,
So His heart him cherished,
Working wonders, raised him up,
Four days after dying
And he was restored in whole,
Gone the mourners’ sighing.

4. When those hypocrites had learned
Of this resurrection
They conspired, for so they burned
With great disaffection,
Saying, “All shall go awry
If we stop Him never!
Let us sentence Him to die
And ourselves deliver.

5. “It is right,” the high priest said,
“Needful and most fitting,
That this teacher’s blood we shed,
Him to death committing!
Better far that He should fall,
By our wrath expended,
Than that all men, great and small
Should with us be ended.

6. Jesus knew their murd’rous scheme,
And went into hiding,
In the village Ephraim,
Briefly there abiding
With His twelve apostles dear,
Safe from every plotter.
Till the paschal tide drew near,
And the time for slaughter.

7. When at last the time had come
For our Lord and Savior
To be slain, a spotless lamb,
And win life forever,
Jesus swiftly set His path
To the Jews, to offer
His own body to their wrath,
Openly, to suffer.

8. As He traveled with His fold,
Christ His twelve called to Him,
And all things to them foretold:
That one would betray Him,
And He would derided be,
Spit on, persecuted,
Whipped, and sentenced jealously
To be executed.

9. He the Scriptures thus fulfilled,
O’er the earth was lifted,
Without drop of poison killed,
With a rich tomb gifted,
On the third day fully healed,
Back to life returning—
All this He to them revealed,
Without their discerning.

10. As from Jericho he went,
Two men, plagued with blindness
Urgently cried in lament,
Moving Him to kindness:
When He touched their eyes, they saw
Instantly and clearly,
Praising God with thanks and awe,
Vexing scribes so dearly.

11. Easter was six days away
When the Lord and Savior
Reached the town of Bethany.
Was received with favor:
Martha readied for her Lord
Food, with the intention,
That with Lazarus He might
Feast in Simon’s mansion.

12. At the meal did Christ recline,
Filled with grief and worry,
Mary came with ointment fine,
For her misdeeds sorry,
Poured it freely o’er His feet,
And His head so holy,
And He saw her faith was sweet,
Humble, true, and lowly.

13. Thieving Judas, filled with greed,
When he saw this action,
Cried, “Oh what a wasteful deed,
What a great infraction!
Costly was this ointment rare,
It would have been proper
To exchange it, and to share
Wealth with many a pauper.”

14. All the others were with him
One of mind and body,
But their Master said to them,
Do not chide this lady!
Rightly hath she done to Me,
For I shall be buried,
With you shall the poor e’er be,
I shall hence be carried.

15. Though He thus th’ Eleven stilled,
Judas’ heart was ever
Fixed to have his purse be filled,
And to this endeavor
Rising, fled, the scribes to meet,
And betray His Master,
By a commerce of deceit,
To his own disaster.

16. “Ay!” thought he, “What wealth I’ll gain!
He’ll escape as ever,
Lo, for all the traps they’ve lain,
They have caught Him never.
Handed over by my hand,
He, their hands confounding,
Safe will fly; safe, too, I’ll stand,
Wealth in hand abounding!”

17. When the very Son of Man
To the town was nearing,
Multitudes to meet Him ran,
Of His wonders hearing,
How dead Lazarus He raised,
No more could be hidden:
Both to see, they came, amazed,
Though they were forbidden.

18. As because of Lazarus
Crowds to Christ proceeded
And the hearts of many thus
Soon His teachings heeded,
So the scribes as one to kill
Lazarus intended,
But God thwarted all their will
And His own defended.

19. Next day came that time by law,
When each house selected
Lambs without all stain or flaw,
For the feast expected;
Therefore Jesus took the road
With His twelve beside Him,
And was chosen by a crowd
That to death would guide Him.

20. Christ, to Salem’s gates received
With loud jubilation,
Stood before the Temple, grieved,
And with holy passion
Chased the merchants, booths o’erturned,
And the scribes did punish,
So their hate against Him burned,
Nor would soon diminish.

21. Hard they sought from that time on
Jesus’ condemnation,
And on Wednesday at the dawn,
In collaboration,
Judas came for His reward
Nor was it denied him:
In two days they took the Lord
And they crucified Him.

22. Christ, Thou very Paschal Lamb,
For our sake selected,
And to shameful death condemned,
For Thy church elected,
Let Thy blood upon us pour,
Save us from all evil,
Let God’s vengeance pass us o’er,
And destroy the devil. (Amen.)

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Christus, wahrer Gottes Sohn,
auf Erden leibhäftig
erschien in all seinem Thun
gütig, mild, und kräftig;
In Judäa fing er an
sein Werk zu beweisen,
da er auch ums Leben kam
durch Neid der Schriftweisen.

2. Er zeigt ihre Bosheit an
und drucket sie unter,
darum worden sie ihm gramm,
spotten seiner Wunder,
gaben für das seine Lehr
vom Satan herkäme,
das derselb auch in ihm wär
und böses vornehme.

3. Lazarus, ein frommer Mann,
ward krank und ging unter,
und des nahm sich Jesus an,
that an ihm ein Wunder,
erweckt ihn am vierten Tag,
da er ward begraben,
daß er lebt ohn alle Klag,
möcht sich wohl gehaben.

4. Da diß vor die Heuchler kam
ließen sie zusammen,
sprachen, Laßt uns diesen Mann
zu dem Tod verdammen!
wird es aber nicht geschehn,
so sein wir verloren,
denn wir werden Jammer sehn:
besser nie geboren!

5. Caiphas sprach, Es ist gut
und trefflich vonnöthen,
daß wir vergießen sein Blut
un diesen Mensch töten!
Viel besser, er sterb allein
und leid unsern Zoren,
denn daß alles, groß und klein,
sammt uns werd verloren.

6. Da Jesus den Rath erkannt,
wich er zu der Wüsten,
in die Stadt, Ephrem genannt;
davon sie nicht wußten.
Allda blieb er kleine Zeit
mit seinen Zwölf Boten,
denn Ostern waren nicht weit,
das Lämmlein zu braten.

7. Da die Zeit kam, daß er sollt
angenommen werden
als ein Lämmlein ohne Schuld
zum Opfer auf Erden,
macht sich Jesus auf die Bahn
eilend und behende,
sich zu opfern auf den Plan
vor der Jüden Hände.

8. Weil nun viel Volk mit ihm ging,
ruft er sein Zwölf Boten,
sagt ihn heimlich alle Ding,
wie daß er verrathen,
veracht, verhöhnt, und verspeit,
mit geißeln geschmissen,
verurteilt aus Haß und Neid,
sein Blut würd vergießen.

9. Also erfüllen die Schrift
erhöht von der Erden,
verscheiden ohn alle Gift,
und begraben werden,
Auferstehn vons Todes Noth
an dem dritten Morgen,
aber der sein dieser Wort
war ihn noch verborgen.

10. Da er von Jericho kam,
sassen zwene Blinden;
dieser Augen rührt er an,
denn sie ruften gschwinde;
bald sahen sie hell und klar,
lobten Gott von Herzen!
das war der Schriftklugen Schar
nicht ein kleiner Schmerzen.

11. Sechs Tag vor dem Osterfest
kam Jesus gegangen
und ward zu Bethania
von Martha entfangen;
die richtet ihm fleißig aus
ein schön Abendessen,
daß er sollt in Simons Haus
mit Lazaro essen.

12. Da er nu am Tische saß,
sehr müd allenthalben,
kam Maria, bracht ein Glas
vol köstlicher Salben,
goß sie auf sein heiligs Haupt
und auf seine Füße,
und weil sie von Herzen glaubt,
ward ihr das Werk süße.

13. Da diß der Dieb Judas sah,
mit dem Geiz beladen,
redet er darum und sprach,
warum thut man schaden?
Was für Unrath nimmt man vor?
die Salb ist sehr teuer!
Es wär besser Geld darfür,
den Armen zu Steuer!

14. Und die andern fielen zu
diesem bösen Gliede;
aber Jesus redt ihn’n zu,
sprach, Laßt sie zufrieden!
Sie hat wohl an mir gethan,
eh ich werd begraben,
denn ihr werdet mein Person
nicht stets bei euch haben.

15. Die elf wurden bald gestillt;
Judas aber trachtet,
daß sein Beutel würd gefüllt;
da er sich aufmachet,
ging in der Schriftklugen Rath,
Jesum zu verrathen,
dieweil sie nach seinem Tod
sogar töblich thaten.

16. Ey, dacht er, ich will an ihm
ein gut Geld gewinnen!
Er wird ihn’n wohl wie vorhin
meisterlich entrinnen,
so er von mir dargestellt
entgeht ihren Händen,
dennoch bleibet mir das Geld
an mein’n Nutz zu wenden.

17. Da aber viel Volk vernahm,
daß Jesus war kommen,
macht sichs eilend auf die Bahn,
denn es hat vernommen
das Zeichen, von ihm geschehn
Lazaro dem toten,
kamm aushin, sie beid zusehn,
obs wohl war verboten.

18. Da viel Volk zu Jesu ging
um Lazarus willen,
und manch frommes Herz anfing,
sein Wort zu erfüllen,
trachtet der Schriftlklugen Rath,
Lazarum zu töten:
es kam aber nicht zur That,
denn Gott hilft in Nöthen.

19. Am morgen, als man nu sollt
nachs Gesetzes Sitten
Lämmlein nehmen ohne Schuld,
auf Ostern zu töten,
macht sich Jesus auf die Bahn
mit seinen zwölf Boten,
und ein groß Volk nahm ihn an
als ein Lamm zu braten.

20. Als er, von Jerusalem
fröhlich angenommen,
zu predigen der Gemein
in Tempel war kommen,
Trieb er die Handtierer aus,
straffet die Schriftklugen,
die Neid und Haß überaus
wider ihm stets trugen.

21. Auf das trachten sie mit Müh,
Jesum zu verdammen,
Gingen an der Mittwoch früh
bald darnach zusammen;
da kam Judas und nahm Geld,
und nach zweien Tagen
ward der Herre dargestellt
und ans Kreuz geschlagen.

22. Christe, wahres Osterlamm,
der du ausgeschossen
und darnach zum Tod verdammt,
dein Blut hast vergossen:
wasch dein Armes Volk damit,
daß der Feind nicht fälle,
sonder thu ein Überschritt
zu seinen Gesellen. (Amen.)

O Herr, wend deinen Zorn von mir

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase “O Herr, wend deinen Zorn von mir” (J. Geletzki, 1566), really a paraphrase rather than a metrical version of Psalm 6, with some fairly clear references to Christ. The melody is the proper hypodorian one, here as found in the Boh. Breth. Kirchengeseng (1580). I include a second version which I have transposed down a couple steps to avoid the high g (and f).


LORD, TURN Thy wrath away from me!
A sinner poor, I cry Thee,
Rebuke me not in anger’s heat,
Console me with Thy message sweet,
Have mercy, Lord my God, and heed
My anguish in this hour of need,
And hearken to my feeble song:
Alas, my Lord, my God, how long?
Oh, hasten to heal my soul,
And through Thy Son, Lord, make me whole.

2. Return, O Lord, Thy grace betide,
See how my soul is terrified:
Deliver me, Thy life impart,
And quicken my afflicted heart.
For who in death recalls Thy name,
Or rightly can Thy praise acclaim?
And who gives thanks to Thee in hell,
When torments round about him swell?
Have mercy, O Lord, on me!
And free me from hell’s agony!

3. With weariness I fail and faint
From ceaseless groaning and complaint,
I have in sorrow drowned my bed,
My couch is wet with tears of dread.
My body is consumed away,
With grief it waxes old and gray.
My soul by wrath is torn and tossed:
Except God save me, all is lost.
Fly, all ye who work your ill!
The Lord Himself my need shall fill.

4. For He received my earnest plea,
And turned His wrath away from me.
An answer to my pray’r He gave,
Through Jesus Christ, my soul to save,
And made my every foe to be
Turned back and frightened suddenly,
They lie confounded and undone
By God’s right hand, His dearest Son.
Eternal God, to Thee be praise,
For all the riches of Thy grace!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. O HErr, wend deinen Zorn von mir,
ich armer Sünder schrei zu dir,
ach, straf mich nicht in deinem Grimm,
tröst mich durch deines Wortes Stimm.
Sei mir gnädig, O Herre Gott,
in dieser meiner Angst und NOth,
darin ich lieg ganz schwach und krank,
ach, mein Herr und mein Gott, wie lang?
O heil mich zu dieser Stund,
mach mich durch deinen Sohn gesund.

2. Wend dich zu mir, o lieber Herr,
denn mein Seel ist erschrocken sehr,
errette sie durch deine Güt,
erquicke mein betrübt Gemüt.
Denn im Tod denkt man deiner nicht,
auch lobt man dich nicht im Gericht:
wer will dir danken in der Höll,
und wo man leidet grosse Quäl?
O mein Herr, erbarm dich mein,
erlös mich von der Höllen Pein.

3. Ich bin ganz müd und ohne Macht,
von großen Seufzen Tag und Nacht,
ich schwemm in solchen Leid mein Bett,
und nätz mit ihrn meins Legers Stätt.
Verfallen ist meins Leibs Gestalt,
für Trauern ist sie worden alt,
ich werd geängst von Gottes Zorn,
wo Gott nicht hilft, so ists verlorn.
Weicht all die ihr übels thut,
Gott macht selbst meine Sachen gut.

4. Denn er hört meines Weinens Stimm,
und wendet von mir seinen Grimm:
er nimmt mein Bitt und Flehen an,
durch Christum seinen lieben Sohn.
Daher werden all meine Feind
erschreckt und plötzlich abgeleint,
sie werden allesamt zu Schand
durch Gottes meines HErren Hand.
Lob sei dir, ewiger Gott,
für solche Hilf und reiche Gnad. (Amen.)

Die Propheten han prophezeit

Here is my translation of the hymn on the Passion, “Die Propheten han prophezeit” (M. Weisse, 1531). It was included in Babst (1545: II, no. 34), and appointed in Ludecus (1589) for Judica through Good Friday. The melody is that of “Vexilla Regis prodeunt” (plainsong mode i), i.e., “The Royal Banners Forward Go.” In addition to the Gregorian notation, I include an early attempt by the Weisse (orig. 1531) to adapt the melody for congregational use. A simplified version of the melody by Paul Weber is found in LSB #455.



THE PROPHETS prophesied of old,
And in their holy books foretold
How Jesus Christ would, suff’ring, bear
Our guilty burdens, grief, and care.

2. In Spirit borne, they saw His frame—
Long ere in flesh fulfilment came—
For our transgressions wounded, slain,
As old Isaiah’s words make plain.

3. Ah! wondrous vision, like to none:
God spareth not His only Son.
Chastisement for our peace doth fall
On Him who, patient, suffers all.

4. As sinners, in God’s wrath we lay,
We all like sheep had gone astray:
God’s wrath upon His Son is poured,
And thus are we to life restored.

5. The sun her glory hastes to hide,
And rock and stone are cleft awide,
The earth recoils that blood to take,
And maketh many a tomb to break.

6. So let us weep, as Jesus saith,
For us ourselves, not for His death:
Because of us, so poor and frail,
He goes to see His soul’s travail.

7. Behold our Bishop, who alone
Could for our wretched sins atone,
Who brings us heaven’s realm to see,
Whose like was not, nor e’er shall be.

8. Not by the blood of goat and calf
Doth He appease in our behalf
The Father’s heart, but parts His veins
And by His blood our pardon gains.

9. He is a priest forevermore,
As God on oath confirmed and swore:
And, like Melchizedek, doth feed
The hungry soul with meat indeed.

10. This Bishop did we all require,
Who feared not death nor deathless fire,
In all points tempted, like as we,
Yet without sin’s impurity.

11. O Christ, Thy bitter death let be
Instead of our iniquity,
Therewith before Thy Father deign
Our Reconciler to remain.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Die Propheten han prophezeit,
und geschrieben vor langer Zeit,
wie Jesus Christus leiden würd,
und auf sich laden unser Bürd.

2. Sie haben ihn im Geist gesehn,
eh es hie leiblich ist geschehn,
für unser Missethat geplagt,
wie Jesaias klar hat gesagt.

3. Ey, welch ein wunderlich Geschicht!
Gott schonet seines Sohnes nicht;
er strafet ihn für unser Schuld,
und er leidets alls mit Geduld.

4. Wir waren all in Gottes Zorn
und als irrende Schaf verlorn:
nun wird sein Sohn für uns verwundt,
und unser Seel dadurch gesund.

5. Die Sonne verbirgt ihren Schein,
es spalten auf Felsen und Stein,
die Erd erbebt vor seinem Blut,
davon sich auch manch Grab aufthut.

6. Beweinen wir nach seinem Rath
uns selbest, und nicht seinen Tod;
denn wir, so ganz elend und schwach,
sind ihm des Leidens ein Ursach.

7. O schauen wir den Bischof an,
der unser Sünd versöhnen kann,
und uns führen ins Himmelreich,
denn ihm ist, noch wird niemand gleich.

8. Nicht mit Bocks oder Kälber Blut
versöhnet er des Vatern Muth:
sondern mit seinem eignen Blut,
macht er all unser Sachen gut.

9. Bleibet Priester in Ewigkeit,
bestätiget mit Gottes Eid,
und gibt nach Melchizedechs Weis
den hungrigen geistliche Speis.

10. Ein solcher Bischof war uns Noth,
der nicht mehr fürchten darf den Tod,
der auch unser Schwachheit versucht,
unschuldig sei und unverflucht.

11. O Christe, setz dein bittern Tod
für unser Sünd und Missethat,
sei mit deinem Opfer vor Gott
unser Versöhner früh und spat. (Amen.)

Not a hymn

This is a folk song about Lutheran hymns. It's to warm you up for singing a Lutheran hymn, but it is not a hymn, so you must be sure to finish singing it before church. If you're unfamiliar with folksong style, you have to adjust the notation slightly as you go along to fit the syllables. In this respect instinct is more practical than analysis. Note: slight bit of irony included. I'D RATHER be singing a Lutheran hymn Than any earthly thing. All poetry else is paltry and thin, And so I'd rather sing… Refrain: :: A Lutheran hymn, a Lutheran hymn, that's what I'd rather sing! :: 2. I'd rather be singing a Lutheran hymn Than any earthly thing. A Lutheran hymn is filled to the brim With Christ's own comforting. Refrain 3. So why am I wasting my time with this song? My vocal cords are cold! So warm up yours, too, and follow along, We'll sing with voices bold… Refrain x 2.

Hilf, Gott, daß mir gelinge

Here is my translation of “Hilf, Gott, daß mir gelinge” (H. Müller, 1524) which, originally appearing as a broadsheet, is really a ballad in form, especially with its opening and closing stanzas with their transparent singer or narrator. In borrowing such a form, it recalls some of the earlier hymns of the Reformation, such as “Ein neues Lied wir heben an” [A New Song Here Shall Be Begun]. It was Heinrich Müllers prison-confession, as made clear in the last stanza, and underlined by the fact that the stanzas form an acrostic on his name (HEINRICH MULER), which I have attempted to reproduce. The balladic hymn enjoyed great popularity during the Reformation era (see Julian) when, because of its concise recounting of the Passion events, it was sung around Passion-week (so e.g. Ludecus appoints it), though it gradually fell out of use sometime during the 18th century. I include, after the German, a stanza very loosely translated by C.S. Terry, and the only other complete English (or more precisely, old Scots) translation, from Wedderburn.

The melody in Babst (1545) is one of several, most of which seem to be derived from earlier folk-melodies (see Kümmerle). One of its melodies was eventually attached to the hymn “Wenn meine Sünd mich kränken” [When o’er My Sins I Sorrow]. I include all those found in Kümmerle:


ASSIST me, great Creator!
That I may undertake
In measure and in meter
Thy glories to awake!
That I may now with joyful heart
Sing out Thy Holy Scripture:
O Lord, Thine aid impart!

2. E’ermore Thy Word remaineth,
So doth Isaiah say,
All things Thy Hand sustaineth,
Yet earth shall pass away,—
Yea, all that God Himself did make,
And all of man’s endeavor:—
Still naught His Word can shake.

3. Into this world descended
The Father’s Word eterne,
Great wonders Him attended,
But many Him did spurn,
By Judas was He sold away,
The Lamb of God was given
To death, for sin to pay.

4. Now, when His Twelve had eaten
Their paschal lamb, but look!
With comfort all to sweeten,
Bread in His hand He took,
And blessed, and said: “Eat ye of this:
For you My body given
To pardon sin this is.”

5. Red blood He then did offer
In wine, that drink they might:
“Proclaim how He did suffer
And die,” Saint Paul did write;
“Whoever shall in worthy faith
This bread and cup be taking
Shall nevermore see death.”

6. In meekness, downward reaching
With tow’l, He washed their feet,
And taught with godly preaching
From lips without deceit:
“Oh, love each other ceaselessly:
That ye are My disciples,
Men thus shall certain be.”

7. Christ, having prayed, awaited
In dark Gethsemane
The Jews who, full of hatred,
Did bind Him viciously
And sought their judge His soul to try,
With mocks they scourged and crowned Him,
And sentenced Him to die.

8. High on a cross they hanged Him,
The Highest with the worst:
His thirst for us constrained Him,
And so He said: “I thirst”
With thirst to save us men forlorn,
Who to a virgin maiden
Was truly human born.

9. Man’s Maker, head bowed lowly,
As in John’s words disclosed,
Gave up the ghost so holy,
Was from the cross deposed,
Inside a tomb was gently laid,
And on the third day rising,
Fulfilled what He had said.

10. Unto the world’s far limit
Christ His disciples sent
To bear His Word, proclaim it,
And preach its true intent:
He who believes and is baptized
Possesses life eternal
Obtained by Jesus Christ.

11. Luke tells of Christ’s ascension
With words of comfort fair,
And doth Christ’s promise mention,
To be with us fore’er:
For, lo, His Word can never fail,
Nor ’gainst it can the forces
And gates of hell prevail.

12. Earth was the Helper given,
From God He doth proceed,
By Christ sent forth from heaven
Into all truth to lead.
So let our groans to God be made,
Who never shall forsake us,
But gives us constant aid.

13. Right rulers may God send us,
And turn our every foe,
And on those who offend us,
May He His grace bestow—
For all their sake, to Christ we pray!
So sang old Heinrich Müller,
In prison as he lay.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Hilf, Gott, daß mir gelinge,
du edler Schöpfer mein,
die Silben reimen zwingen
zu Lob den Ehren dein!
Daß ich mag fröhlich heben an
von deinem Wort zu singen,
Herr, wöllest mir beistahn!

2. Ewig dein Wort thut bleiben,
wie Esaias meldt,* *Jes. 40, 8.
In seinem Buch thut schreiben:
eh wird vergehn die Welt
und was Gott selber je beschuf, [erschuf,]
Sollt es alles verderben,
er thut kein Widerruf.

3. Iesus, das Wort des Vaters,
ist kommen in die Welt
mit großen Wunderthaten,
verkauft um schnödes Geld
durch Judam, seiner Jünger ein
ward er in Tod gegeben,
Jesus, das Lämmelein.

4. Nachdem sie hatten gessen,
vernehmt, das Osterlamb,
da thät er nicht vergessen,
das Brod in sein’ Hand nahm,
sprach: Eßt, das ist mein Leichnam lind,
der für euch dar wird [g’]geben [euch wird gegeben]
zu Vergebung der Sünd. [zur Vergebung euer Sünd.]

5. Reicht ihn’n auch dar zu trinken
in Wein sein Blut so roth:
“Sein Tod sollt ihr verkünden,”
Paulus beschreiben hat:
“Wer würdig ißt von diesem Brod
und trinket von dem Kelche,
wird nicht sehen den Tod.”

6. Jesus wusch ihn ihr Füße
wohl zu der selb’gen Stund, [derselben Stund]
Lehrt sie mit Worten süße
aus seim göttlichen Mund;
“Liebet einander allezeit,
dabei wird man erkennen
das ihr mein Jünger seid.”

7. Christus der Herr im Garten,
da er gebetet hat,
der Jüden thät erwarten,
von ihn gebunden hart,
sie führten ihn zum Richter dar,
gegeißelt und gekrönet,
zum Tod verurtheilt ward.

8. Hoch an ein Kreuz gehangen,
der hochgeborne Fürst;
nach uns thät ihn verlangen,
darum sprach er: “Mich dürst!”
Vernimm: nach unser Seligkeit,
darum ein Mensch geboren
von einer reinen Meid.

9. Mit seinem Haupt geneiget
er seinen Geist aufgab,
als uns Johannes zeiget,
er ward genommen ab
vom Kreuz, ins Grab ward er gelegt,
am dritten Tag erstanden,
wie er vor hat gesagt.

10. Und in denselben Tagen
Jesus sein Jünger lehrt,
allein sein Wort zu tragen,
predigen aller Welt: [predigen in aller]
Wer glaube thut und wird getauft,
der hat das ewig leben,
ist ihm durch Christum kauft. [erkauft.]

11. Lukas thuts gar schön schreiben [thut]
von seiner Himmelfahrt
doch allweg bei uns bleiben,
wie er versprochen hat,
vernimm: Durch sein göttliches Wort;
wider das kann nicht siegen
kein Gwalt der Höllen Pfort.

12. Ein Tröster thät er senden
das war der heilig Geist,
von Gott thät er sie lenden
in Wahrheit allermeist.
Denselben wolln wir rufen an,
der wird uns nicht verlassen
und uns treulich beistahn.

13. Recht laßt uns alle bitten
Christum für [die] Obrigkeit
ob wir schon von ihn litten
Gwalt, auch für alle Feind,
daß ihn Gott woll genädig sein:
hat Heinrich Müller gesungen
in dem Gefängnis sein.

---

C.S. TERRY

1. O help me, Lord, to praise Thee,
Great Shepherd of Thy sheep,
In grateful phrases worthy
Of Thee Who watch dost keep!
Help me in song my voice upraise
For Thy blest Word so holy,
And guide my feeble praise!

WEDDERBURN

1. Helpe, God, the Former of all thing,
That to Thy gloir may bee my dyte:
Be baith at end and beginning,
That I may make my song perfyte,
Of Jesus Christes passioun,
Sinnaris onely saluatioun,
As witnesse is thy word in write.

2. Thy word for euer sall remaine,
As in his buke wrytes Esay,
Baith heuin and eird sall turne againe,
Or thy trew word cum to decay.
Thou cannot like ane man repent,
To change thy purpose or intent,
Bot steidfast is thy word for ay.

3. Jesus, the Father’s Word alone,
Discendit in an Virgine pure,
With meruellis greit and mony one;
And be Judas that fals tratour,
That Lambe for sober summe was sauld,
And gaif his lyfe, for cause hee wald
Redeme all sinfull creature.

4. When eitin was the Paschall Lambe,
Christ tuke the breid his handis within,
Blyssing it, brake it, gaif the sume
Till his apostles mair and min,
Eit that, for my body is this,
Quihilk for your sakis geuin is,
Intill remissioun of your sin.

5. Siclyke hee gaif them for to drinke
In wyne his blude the quhilke was sched,
Upon his precious deid to thinke,
On hiom remembrance to be made.
Quha eitis this blissit sacrament,
Worthelie with trew intent
Sall neuer see eternall deid.
...
6. Jesus wusche his apostlis feit,
Schawand exempil of lowlynesse,
And chargit them with wordis sweit,
That lufe amang them suld incres.
For thairby suld it cum to licht,
That ye are my disciplis richt,
Gif ye amang you lufe possesse.

7. Efter this prayer passit he,
And met the Jewis quhilk him socht;
When they had bound him cruellie,
Before the judges they him brocht.
First they him scurgit, and for scorne
Him crownit with ane crowne of thorne,
Syne dampnit him to deid for nocht.

8. That Prince on croce they lift on hicht,
For our redemptioun that thocht lang;
Hee said, I thirst with all my micht
To saif mankynde fra painis strang.
Hee that all warldis was beforne,
Came doun of Marie to be borne,
For our trespasse on croce hee hang.

9. Then hee his heid culd incline,
As wryttis John, and gaif the gaist,
And off the croce tane was syne,
And laid in grave; but soone in haist,
Leuand, he rais on the thrid day,
And to his apostles did say,
To them appeirand maist and leist.

10. And syne he did his apostillis teiche,
Throw all the warlde for to passe,
And tell all creature for to preich,
As they of him instructit was:
Quha baptist is, and will beleeue,
Eternall deid sall not them greeue,
Bot salbe sauit mair and lesse.

11. Sanct Luke writtin in his ascention,
Thocht present aye with vs hee bee,
The Scripture makis mention,
That is to say with us is hee,
Be his sweit word steidfast but faill,
Contraire the quhilk can not preuaill
Sathan nor hellis tyranie.

12. Ane comfortour to vs hee did send,
Quhilke from the Father did proceide,
To gyde us trewly to the end,
In inward thocht and outwart deid,
Call on the Lord, our gyde and licht,
To leid vs in his law full richt,
And be our helpe in all our neid.

13. Pray for all men in generall,
Suppose they wirk vs richt or wrang;
Pray for our prince in speciall;
Thocht they be just, or tyrans strang,
Obey, for sa it aucht to bee.
In presoun for the veritie,
Ane faythfull brother made this sang.

Ehre sei dir, Christe

Here is my translation of “Ehre sei dir, Christe” (H. Bonnus, 1540). The first stanza is a traditional hymn, Laus tibi Christe qui pateris. It was originally sung in Latin between stanzas of Rex Christe factor omnium, on Good Friday. The stand-alone version here has two added stanzas identical to stanzas 3 and 6 of "Ach, wir armen Sünder," q.v. The hymn is called "Lob sei dir Christe" in Ludecus (1589) and appointed under the section Judica, Palmarum, and Good Friday. A variety of German translations exist. Our seemingly anomalous title perhaps arose from the influence of the Gospel acclamation Laus tibi Christe, “Lob sei dir [O] Christe,” from the ordinary of the Mass. The melody is the traditional one associated with this series of texts, probably from 15th c., though the title starting with the word Lob suggests that perhaps the Latin melody was used with a form of the German title.


1. Christ, to Thee be glory,
For Thy bitter pain,
On the cross of suff’ring,
Dying for our gain.
Now with God the Father
Reigning without end:
Help us wretched sinners!
Thy salvation send!
Kyrie eleison,
Christe Eleison,
Kyrie eleison.

2. Had Christ not descended
To this world of shame
And upon Him taken
Our own humble frame,
And for our transgressions
Died most willingly,
We in hell would suffer
For eternity.
Kyrie, etc.

3. Let us altogether
Sing our joyful boast,
Thanking God the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praying for protection,
From offenses here,
And our preservation
In His Word so dear.
Kyrie, etc.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Ehre [Lob] sei dir, Christe,
der du littest Not,

an dem Stamm des Kreuzes
für uns bittern Tod,

herrschest mit dem Vater
in der Ewigkeit:

hilf uns armen Sündern
zu der Seligkeit.

Kyrie eleison,

Christe eleison,

Kyrie eleison.

2. Wäre nicht gekommen
Christus in die Welt

und hätt angenommen
unser arm Gestalt

und für unsre Sünde
gestorben williglich,

so hätten wir müssen
verdammt sein ewiglich.

Kyrie, usw.

3. Darum wolln wir loben,
danken allezeit

dem Vater und Sohne
und dem Heilgen Geist;

bitten, daß sie wollen
behüten uns hinfort,

und daß wir stets bleiben
bei seinem heilgen Wort.

Kyrie, usw.

Lob sei dir, Jesu Christe

Here is my translation of the cross and comfort hymn “Lob sei dir, Jesu Christe” (H. Vogtherr the elder, 1526). The original title read: “A new evangelical hymn in every cross, wholly comforting for every Christian, taken from divine Scripture,” esp. from Matt. 10 and 1 Peter 2. The first few stanzas especially would also be appropriate for the Festival of the Reformation. Note that this is one of the few translations that turned out easier to translate with You rather than with Thee, though I'll probably have a traditional language version completed in the near future. Though the melody is not specified in Wackernagel, “Herr Christ, der einig’ Gotts Sohn” fits very well.


PRAISE BE to You, Lord Jesus,
And to Your mighty name!
Your pow’r from darkness frees us,
Man’s craft it puts to shame.
You bring us Christians to Your Word:
Now everywhere shines brightly
What was so long obscured.

2. O Helper of the lowly,
Without You, help is lost!
Have mercy, Savior holy!
See what a heavy cost
We paid to wear the murd’rous snares
Of Rome’s deceitful merchants,
With all their hellish wares.

3. As holy Peter warned us,
They made us merchandise,
And stole Your Word, and scorned us,
By tricks and cunning lies.
And now that You have brought it back,
They call it devils’ doctrines,
And wage their grim attack.

4. They fain would terrify us
With papal bull and sword,
The Spirit’s aim deny us,
And keep His Word unheard:
Oh, let their legions be deployed:
God still shall be the victor,
And all His foes destroyed.

5. So fear not, faithful Christians,
Take comfort in Your Lord:
See how Christ’s ammunitions
Are trampling Baal’s horde!
See how His line cannot be breached:
Despite their every effort,
His Word is freely preached!

6. But, hearing our confession
Of Christ the Savior true,
The world, with great aggression,
Makes scorn and shame ensue,
And so we soon must bear the cross,
And here is its beginning,
In God’s most holy House.

7. So lift your voices loudly,
March gladly to the plain,
Proclaim your Savior proudly
Heed neither life nor pain.
For Jesus Christ must be confessed:
Through death and dread affliction
We pass to life and rest.

8. Search not for words of merit,
When to their courts conferred,
For in that day God’s Spirit
Will teach your tongue the word;
And none this Word can contradict.
So stand with spirit ready
When they your flesh afflict.

9. If we with God would glory
And high in heaven reign,
His cross we here must carry
And wear His crown of pain.
No servant is above his lord,
And so is gone before us
Our Savior Christ adored.

10. From morn to eve God chastens
The souls that He holds dear,
And on His children hastens
What first as griefs appear:
Yet by the cross He proves us true,
Like gold within a furnace,
And, faithful, leads us through.

11. Thus did the earliest Christians
Pass on through blood to life:
God grant us the provisions
To join them in the strife!
The martyrs’ bodies merely show
That foes can kill the body—
The soul no death shall know.

12. Yea, let us fear and bless Him
Who body_and soul can kill
Before the world confess Him,
Though we be slaughtered still,
For He alone can be our stay
Who grants us bliss or judgment
Upon that final day.

13. May we for Him surrender
to death our life and all,
And find through our Defender
True life in heaven’s hall.
Oh, may He make us bold to fight,
For all is lost without Him,
And vict’ry hid from sight.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Lob sei dir, Jesu Christe,
in deinem Himmelsthron,
der du der Menschen Liste
zu Boden lassest gahn,
uns Christen führst zu deinem Wort
welch’s lang tief ist verschwiegen.
jetzt leichts an allem Ort

2. Du bist das Heil der Armen,
ohn dich kein Hilf nicht ist:
Laß dich, o Gott, erbarmen
den großen Mord und List
darmit wir waren gfangen gar
von den falschen Papisten
mit ihrer Kaufmannswaar’.

3. Mit uns ha’n sie g’hantieret,
wie denn Sankt Peter schreibt,
mit falscher Lehr verführet,
dein Wort vom Erdreich g’reit:
So du s nun wieder bringst auf Bahn,
so heißt mans Ketzereie,
will uns den Tod an thon.

4. Sie wollen uns erschrecken
mit Briefen und mit dem Schwert,
Gotts Geist sein Ziel verstecken,
das sein Wort nicht werd g’lehrt:
Und hieltens noch so heftig drob,
so würd jedoch Got siegen,
sein Feinden liegen ob.

5. Darum, ihr frommen Christen,
habt Trost und fürcht’t euch nit,
Seht, wie die Baalisten
Christus zu Haufen tritt,
wie er uns wohnt so kräftig bei,
daß allenthalb sein Worte
jedoch wird [g]predigt frei.

6.So wir nun werden g’führet
zu Christo dem Heiland,
zuhand die Welt einrühret,
damit uns folg Schmach und Schand,
auf daß das Kreuz nicht lang b[e]leib aus,
welchs erstlich muß anfahen
wohl an dem Gottes Haus.

7. Darum hebt auf eur Stimme,
trett fröhlich auf den Plan,
redt frei wie sich’s gezieme,
Setzt Leib und Leben dran.
Denn Christus muß bekennet sein;
Durch Tod und große Marter
gehn wir ins Leben ein.

8. Sorgt nicht, was ihr wollt sagen,
so man euch vor Gricht führt:
Gotts Geist auf diesem Tagen
euch eure Zungen rührt.
Niemand euch widersprechen kann
übt man an euch dann Gwalte,
so nehmets herzlich an.

9. Woll’ wir mit Gott glorieren
und herrsch’n im Himmelsthron,
muß’ wir uns ihm gleich zieren
mit Kreuz und Marterkron:
der Knecht nicht übern Herren ist,
vor uns ist auch eingangen
der Heiland Jesu Christ.

10. Wen Gott der Herr thut lieben,
den geißelt er früh ‘nd spat,
all sein thut er betrüben
die er aufg’nommen hat:
wir werden all durchs Kreuz probiert,
recht wie das Gold im Ofen,
durch Hoffnung durchhing’führt.

11. Also die ersten Christen
durchs Blut sind gangen ein:
Bitt Gott, das er uns rüste,
ihr Mitgesellen sein;
den Leib der Marter geben dar:
sie töten nur den Leibe,
die Seel wird’ß nicht gewahr.

12. Laßt uns viel mehr ansehen
der Leib und Seel töt’n kann,
ihn vor der Welt verjähen
und sollt wir zu Trümmer gahn:
er ists, der uns erhalten mag,
verdammt und selig machet,
so kommet jener Tag.

13. Dem woll’ wir frei ergeben
all unser Leib und Gut,
zum Tod, und auch zum Leben
befehlen in sein Hütt.
Der helf uns mutig streiten mit,
ohn Ihn ists ganz verloren,
kein Sieg beim Menschen nit.

O Jesu Christ, dein Nam der ist

Here is my translation of the hymn “O Jesu Christ, dein Nam der ist” (Boh. Brethren, 1528*) on the passion of Our Lord, much like Patris Sapientia, “Christus der uns selig macht” (see “Christ, by Whose All-Saving Light,” tr. Jacobi, 1725), but apparently based on another Latin hymn, since it is also known as “O Jesu Christ in German.” The original form consisting of our stanzas 2–8 appears in Arnt von Eich’s Liederbuch Cöln (1518 or 1519). Ludecus (1589) appoints this hymn under the section extending from Judica to Good Friday, and its use is most properly on the latter. Its complex, rhyme-heavy structure is no doubt derived from the older melody on which it is formed, which comes to us probably from the meistersänger tradition, but was early on also attached to the Bohemian Brethren’s hymn paraphrase of Ps. 130, “Aus dem Abgrund, der Höllen Schlund.”



O JESUS Christ, my Savior prized,
Before whose name, so full of fame,
All knees shall low be bowing,—
Of all that fly In heaven high
And all that dwell in earth and hell,
All duteous praise forthshowing
To Thine acclaim; The pain and shame
Which Thou wast made to suffer,
Obediently, upon the tree,
Thou for us all didst offer.

MATINS
2. O Jesus Christ, for me despised,
What misery was given Thee,
For fallen man forsaken!
At Matins-tide, with kiss applied,
Thou wast betrayed, A pris’ner made,
And as a villain taken.
And to and fro they made Thee go
Thy body torn and tattered;
In fear and dread Thy fellows fled,
And all Thy flock was scattered.

PRIME
3. O Jesus Christ, when men devised,
At hour of Prime, with clubs of crime
Unto their judge to urge Thee
The Jewish crowd, so blind and proud,
Defied the laws, and without cause,
Besought the right to scourge Thee,
And speedily with cruelty
Thy back was stung and smitten;
The villains base bespat Thy face,
As in the Prophets written.

TERCE
4. O Jesus Christ, of patience prized:
At hour of Terce, the Jews did curse
And cried to crucify Thee,
To Pilate pled, Thy blood to shed;
Eternal God! With robe and rod
In jest they did supply Thee.
By hatred borne, they made of thorn
A plaited crown, and crowned Thee,
No pang they spared, two beams prepared,
And these to bear they bound Thee.

SEXT
5. O Jesus Christ, of powèr prized:
At hour of Sext, How wast Thou vexed
When on the cross they nailed Thee!
In such distress Thou didst confess,
With man’s desire, a thirst so dire–
But they with gall assailed Thee.
They made Thy place with robbers base,
And Thee, a robber’s fellow,
The rogue beside Thy left, with pride
As one with Jews did bellow.

NONES
6. O Jesus Christ, of mercy prized:
At hour of Nones, with grievous moans,
Thou dièdst, sadly weeping:
“My God, My God!” Thou call’dst aloud,
Thy spirit true commending to
Thy Father’s gracious keeping.
Then by a spear Thy side so dear
Was parted wide and wounded,
The sun turned black, the earth did crack,
All nature stood astounded.

VESPERS
7. O Jesus Christ, of fondness prized,
At Vespers hour they left their tow’r,
And from the cross deposed Thee,
And gave Thee to Thy mother true,
Who, pained within, took Thee again
And in her arms enclosed Thee,
Close by her breast. She was distressed,
To see Thy form unmoving;
For all this pain, our hearts sustain,
Thy praises to be proving.

COMPLINE
8. O Jesus Christ, of pureness prized:
At Compline hour, A stony bow’r
They laid Thee in to slumber:
As prophesied, Thy limbs were plied
With ointment rare, and rich, and fair,
And with sweet incense cumbered.
So every heart upon Thy smart
Should oft and deeply ponder,
And as is right, both day and night,
Thanks for Thy passion render.

9. O Jesus Christ, whose death sufficed
To open for us sinners poor
Thy treasury of graces,
Which Thou alone hast duly won
With agony upon the Tree,
And thus secured our places,
In heav’n with Thee, most graciously:
Thy Father’s wrath appeasing:
Let not Thy pain have been in vain,
But send us aid unceasing.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. O Jesu Christ, dein Nam der ist
so gwaltiglich, darvor und sich […auch sich]
ein jeglich Knie thut neigen.
All Kreatur, himmlisch Figur,
irdische Ding, höllisch Gesind,
thun all dir Ehr erzeigen.
Dem Namen dein und Todes Pein,
die man dir thät anlegen,
Gehorsamlich erzeigst du dich
am Kreuz von unsertwegen

2. O Jesu Christ, dein Leiden ist,
gar groß und schwer mit aller sehr
um menschlichs Gschlecht ergangen.
Zu Metten Zeit hub sich der Streit,
du warst verkauft der Jüdenschaft,
gepeinigt und gefangen.
Mit grossem Haß han sie ohn Maß
dich hin und her gezogen.
In solcher Noth dein Jünger Drot
sein all von dir geflogen.

3. O Jesu Christ, darnach du bist
um Prime Zeit geführt aus Neid
zu Pilato mit Waffen,
von Juden Schar, die mit Gefahr
ungrün[d]ter Klag und falscher Sag
verklagten dich zu straffen.
Darzu sie dich gar grimmiglich
han bunden und geschlagen,
Verspeiten auch dein Gsicht darnach,
als Prophezei thut sagen.

4. O Jesu Christ, der [g]duldig bist
um Terz Zeit dann die Juden han
Geschrieen unbescheiden
dem Richter zu: “Ihn Kreuzigen thu.”
du warst verspott, ewiger Gott,
bekleidt mit Purpurkleiden.
Auch sie aus Zorn ein Kron von Dorn
han in dein Haupt geschlagen,
und dir zu Leid ein Kreuz bereit
an die staht der Pein zu tragen.

5. O Jesu Christ, der mächtig bist,
um sechste Zeit, die Jüdischheit
ans Kreuz dich gnagelt haben.
Durch solche Angst groß Durst erlangst,
nach Menschheit sehr was dein Begehr,
Gall, Essig sie dir gaben.
Man schatzt dich Gnoß den Schächern groß,
die sie zu dir han ghangen,
der Bösewicht zum linken gricht
war mit den Juden prangen.

6. O Jesu Christ, der gütig bist
als zu der Non hast du gethon
aufgeben da dein Leben:
“Mein Gott, mein Gott!” rufst du aus Noth,
ins Vaters Händ thatst du behend
dein Seel treulich ergeben.
Mit einem Speer verwundet sehr
ward dir da dein Seiten,
die Sonn erblich, das Erdreich wich
widr die Natur der Zeiten.

7. O Jesu Christ, der würdig bist
zu Vesper Stund man dich begunnt
vom Kreuz herab zu nehmen,
und gab dich bloß bald in die Schoß
der Mutter dein; es war groß Pein
ihr Herz im Leib vernehmen,
und daß sie dort in Angst und Noth
den Tod an dir mußt sehen;
um solche Pein thu Hilfe schein,
daß wir dir lob verjähen. […verliehen]

8. O Jesu Christ, der heilig bist,
um Complet Zeit ward da geleit
dein Leichnam in die Erden,
der gsalbet ward köstlicher Art
mit gutem Ruch, der Geschrift nach,
die mußt erfüllet werden.
Darum dein Schmerz ein näglich Herz
soll oft und dick betrachten
und dankbar sein dem Leiden dein
bei Tagen und bei Nachten.

9. O Jesu Christ, der gnädig bist
uns Sündern groß ohn alle Moß
mit deinem Schatz der Gnaden,
die du so fast erarnet hast
mit Marter schwer am Kreuze her,
und thust uns darmit laden
ins Vaters Reich, gar gnädiglich
versöhnet hast den Zoren,
Thu Hilfe schein, und laß dein Pein
an uns nicht werd verloren.

“Gott Vater, Sohn, und Geist”

Here is my translation of “Gott Vater, Sohn, und Geist” (J. [Jakob] Fabricius, †1654) a paraphrase of the Augsburg Confession which Rev. B. Mayes found in said author's Predigten über die Augspurgische Confession (Nur.: W. Endter, 1652) and kindly brought to my attention. The poetic quality is a bit more detectable in the German, though in that version as in this, the odd lines are not rhymed. Especially if the artful “Verzage nicht, du Häuflein klein” [O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe] is the work of the same author, you will see that it is not a lack of poetic feeling, but a commitment to deliver the confessional language accurately and succinctly, that has directed the tenor of this paraphrase. The lyric may be sung, as Rev. Mayes points out, to “Nun danket alle Gott.” [Now Thank We All Our God] (see LSB 895) or to “O Gott, du frommer Gott.” [O God My Faithful God] (LSB 696); or “Was frag ich nach der Welt” [What Is the World to Me] (LSB 730).

Please advise of corrections to the sense, or improvements on the theological implications of my English translation where it deviates unhappily from the meaning of the German (or from the Augsburg Confession itself).




THREE PERSONS, yet one God,
Are Father, Son, and Spirit,
Who dwell in Light divine,
And as one Godhead share it,
Co-mighty, co-eterne,
Co-glorious, fully wise;
All teachings here opposed
Are heresies and lies.

2. By nature, we are born
As slaves to our transgression,
Since Adam’s grievous fall,
And we are death’s possession,
Till in Baptism’s flood
God gives us life anew.
That man is born with pow’r [or Pelagius’ teachings here]
For goodness is untrue. [or Must therefore be untrue.]

3. God, of true God begot,
And ever God remaining,
True Man of man was born,
Yet never thereby staining
His mother’s virgin state,
And by His death doth save
Us men from all our sins,
From torment, and the grave.

4. No human since the fall,
Thus dead in sin unsightly,
Can trust his worthless works.
By faith he must cling tightly
To what Christ Jesus did,
Who reconciled our race
To God, and by His death
Earned us both life and grace.

5. God ever by His Word
To living faith doth win us,
And by His Sacraments
Sustains that faith within us.
By these to work in us
God’s Spirit is resigned;
The Anabaptists make
But idols of their mind.

6. As trees adorned with fruit,
And vines their clusters giving,
So are good works produced
By faith divine and living,
Such works are dear to God.
So see His pleasures through,
Yet be it all by grace,
And not by merit due.

7. One church there is alone,
yet many congregations,
One body, many limbs,
Throughout all generations,
As long as sun doth shine.
Though customs may abound,
Yet where the truth is taught,
The church is ever found.

8. Not every soul is saved
Which in the church is sitting,
For often are her doors
False hypocrites admitting.
Nor are her Sacraments
Negated, in despite
Of what the priest believes,
Who fills his task aright.

9. The washing with the Word
Is needed to deliver
Salvation to the soul,
And join to God forever
By covenantal bond
All persons, young and old,
Both infant and adult,
In heaven’s holy fold.

10. Christ’s Body and Christ’s Blood,
Are in the Supper taken,
Which on the cross He gave
And shed, by God forsaken,
His Body with the bread,
And His Blood with the wine:
All doctrines otherwise
Deny the Word divine.

11. Confession of our sins
Is also kept among us,
Yet not that doubts and griefs
May burden, hound, or throng us.
But rather to release
Those sins that we feel most
For we can scarcely know
Nor number all their host.

12. If one who is baptized,
And, sin anew committing,
Yet afterwards repents,
His former sins regretting
With penitence and faith—
Then let him not despair
Of God’s free gift of grace,
But fruits of sorrow share.

13. The Sacraments are not
Mere tokens of profession,
But are the pledge whereby
God makes us His possession:
So let those who partake
This promise rightly own.
Salvation comes by faith,
And not by use alone.

14. None ever shall presume
To fill the pastor’s station
Unless he first be called
By orderly vocation,
He who would serve the church
Must rightly be ordained,
By Him from whom all true
Authority is gained.

15. We justly do retain
Those feasts and observations
By which the ancient church
Enriches our traditions,
Those only we reject
Which hinder true belief,
Or load the conscience down
With human laws and grief.

16. All due authority
Should be respected ever;
From God it hath the pow’r,
Just verdicts to deliver,
And, waging righteous war,
To keep the common peace;
It is our earthly rule,
Until the earth shall cease.

17. When Jesus shall return
And this world meets destruction,
The dead shall all be raised
In one great resurrection:
One part to heav’nly joy,
And one to agony
No temp’ral reign of Christ
Shall earthly kingdoms see.

18. Although we grant mankind
Use of his free volition
For judgment in the things
Of reason and cognition,
Despite his fall in sin:
Yet that which serves the soul,
To save it, is not found
In nature, part or whole.

19. All things in heav’n and earth
And everything created,
And which conceived can be,
In God originated:
The devil and man’s will
Are yet the cause of sin
(which is the lack of good)
And so it long hath been.

20. Although no merit can
To works be reckoned ever,
Yet neither is it good
That man pursue them never,
Yet not those works devised
By what man’s feeling saith,
But those from God’s own Word,—
These are the fruits of faith.

21. We honor all the saints,
Their deeds, and their confession,
Esteeming them as good,
Yet not for intercession:
No saints can we invoke
To help us in our need
For only God our Lord
True help and aid can speed.

22. Since Christ did so ordain,
And Paul this word defended,
That in the Sacrament
Both Kinds should be extended,—
Nor did the priests withhold
The Blood from laity,
In early Christendom—
So let it ever be.

23. God willed that men should be
From lust by marriage turning,
For in their weak’ning state,
They often heed its burning.
So pastors, too, should use
This ordinance divine,
Since they no less belong
To Adam’s fallen line.

24. The Mass we have retained,
Yet one thing is not suffered:
That it be wrongly thought
Christ’s sacrifice re-offered,
In truth, and without blood,
And have that force within,
As that which once for all
Did blot out all our sin.

25. Who goes, his sins to own,
And to the priest confesses,
Receives God’s gracious word,—
Forgiveness he possesses:
Christ’s Body and Christ’s Blood
Are given in the Meal,
Though he recount alone
Those sins which he doth feel.

26. The chast’ning of the flesh
By fast and self-demotion,
If for God’s glory done,
With heart of true devotion,—
Then it is done aright;
But if one seek self-gain
Or something else thereby,
Then it is false and vain.

27. Monastic lives and vows
Are but a useless prison,
For in them great abuse
Has woefully arisen:
Men join their ranks by force,
Deceived or thoughtlessly,
As if to merit grace,
Yet work but villainy

28. To priests of Spirit was
The Spirit’s duty given,
And so they must not seek
For kingdoms under heaven,
Nor, like an earthly prince,
On earthly thrones to reign:
’Twas not for them that God
Did civil rule ordain.

(29.) Still many things there are
That need examination
Which, due to such abuse,
Cannot have validation:
Yet, let this do for now:
All those desiring more,
For their request shall find
Of answers ample store.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. GOtt Vater, Sohn und Geist sind eins in drei Personen,
Die unzertrennt beisam im Liecht der Gottheit wohnen,
Gleich Ewig, gleicher Macht, voll Weißheit, gleicher Ehr.
Verworffen müsse seyn der Ketzer Gegenlehr. 


2. Wir sind der Sünden Knecht, soviel wir sind geboren
Natürlich, nach dem Fall: Der Tod ist uns geschworen,
Es sey dann, daß die Tauff uns wider lebend macht.
Pelagi Lehr hiervon ist fälschlich ausgedacht. 


3. Gott, der von Gott erzeugt, bleibt Gott und wird geboren
vom Menschen wahrer Mensch, doch allzeit unverlohren
der Mutter Jungferschaft, und hilft durch seinen Tod
uns Menschen ingemein aus aller Sündennoth.


4. Kein Mensch ist nach dem Fall, der dürffte sich verlassen
Auff eigner Werk Verdienst, er muß im Glauben fassen,
Was Christus hat gethan, Der uns bey GOtt versühnt,
Und leben hat und Gnad durch Seinen Tod verdient. 


5. Gott pflegt uns durch sein Wort den Glauben zuzuwenden,
Und dessen Unterhalt durch seine Sakramenten.
Es wirkt dadurch in uns der werthe GOttes Geist,
Das Widertäufervolk sein eignes Wissen preist. 


6. Der Baum bezeugt die Frucht, der Weinstock seine Trauben,
So zeugen gute Werk von einem wahren Glauben;
Die Werk, die GOtt befiehlt. Drum thu, was GOtt gefällt,
Doch, daß es sei auf Gnad, nicht auf Verdienst gestellt. 


7. Es ist nur eine Kirch, und die hat viel Gemeinen,
Als Glieder eines Leibs: Solang die Sonn wird scheinen,
So wird auch sie bestehn. Der Bräuchen Unterscheid,
Wo man nur einig lehrt, macht kein Uneinigkeit. 


8. Sie sind nicht alle fromm, die in der Kirche leben,
Es pflegt sich oft darein der Gleisner Haufzugehen:
Doch nimt und gibt der Kraft der Sacramenten nicht
Deß Priesters Lebens Art, wann er sein Amt verricht. 


9. Das Wasserbad im Wort ist Noht, zu überkommen
Der Seelen Seligkeit: Wir werden eingenommen
Dadurch in GOttes Bund, sowol das kleine Kind,
Als die schon allbereit bei Höherm Alter sind. 


10. Im Abendmahl deß HErrn, wird Christi Leib genossen,
Und dessen wahres Blut, das er am Kreutz vergossen;
Der Leib zusamt dem Brod, das Blut zusamt dem Wein.
Die Lehr, die anders ist, stimmt mit der Schrift nicht ein. 


11. Die Ohrenbeicht soll auch bei uns behalten werden,
Doch, daß die Seel dadurch nicht komm in neu Beschwerden.
Die Sünden allesamt umständlich zeigen an,
Ist eine schwere Sach, die niemand leisten kann.

12. Wer wieder nach der Tauf in schwere Sünd gerathen,
Kehrt aber wieder um von seinen Missethaten,
Erkennt, beicht, reut, und gläubt; der zweifle nimmer nicht
An GOttes Gnad, wo er auch bringt der Buße Frücht. 


13. Nicht sind die Sakrament nur leere Gnadenzeichen;
Pfand sind sie auch, die GOtt und uns in eins vergleichen:
Drum der du sie geneußt, nimm rechte Kundschaft ein,
Der Glaub hilft mit dem Brauch, nicht nur der Brauch allein. 


14. Es soll sich keiner nicht der Kühnheit unterstehen,
Daß er ins Priesterthum wollt unberufen gehen.
Wer GOtt im Kirchenamt will dienen, muß darein
Von dem, ders hat Gewalt, zuvor geordnet sein. 


15. Die Zeremonien, die von den lieben Alten
Sind eingeführt, soll man auch billig noch behalten;
Wann nur kein Aberglaub dardurch verursacht wird,
Und kein Gewissenslast den Seelen aufgebürdt. 


16. Man soll der Oberkeit Gewalt sich nicht entbrechen:
Sie ist von Gott gesetzt, was recht ist, recht zu sprechen,
Zu schaffen durch den Krieg, daß Fried im Lande sei:
Es bleibt, so lang die Welt, die weltlich Policei.* *d.h. Regiment.

17. Wann Christus wiederkömmt, wird diese Welt zergehen,
Und die jetzt nicht mehr sind, von Toden auferstehen:
Theils zu dem Himmelreich, theils zu der Höllen Qual.
Das weltlich Christi Reich, ist nichts nicht überall.

18. Es ist dem Menschen zwar sein freier Will gelassen
Auch nach dem Sündenfall, zu lieben und zu hassen,
Was die Vernunft begreift, was dient zur Seelen Heil,
Da fehlt es der Natur an allem ihrem Theil. 


19. Was nur ein Wesen hat im Himmel und auf Erden,
Ist alles Gottes Werk, auch was gedacht kann werden.
Der Teufel, und der Will des Menschen, wirkt die Sünd,
(Die nur ein Mangel ist) wo sich dieselbe sind. 


20. Es wird zwar kein Verdienst den Werken zugeschrieben,
Doch wär es auch nicht gut, daß man sie nicht sollt üben.
Die Werk, nicht die der Mensch aus eigner Wahl verricht,
Nur die, nach Gottes Wort, sind waare Glaubens Frücht. 


21. Die Heilgen ehren wir, und ihres Glaubens Thaten
Sind bei uns höchstberühmt; doch ist uns nicht zu rathen,
Daß wir sie sollten auch in Nöthen rufen an:
Gott ist allein der HErr, der uns verhelfen kan. 


22. Weils Christus eingesetzt, und Paulus auch behalten,
Im Abendmahl die zwo des Leibs und Bluts Gestalten.
Weil auch in erster Kirch der Priester und der Lai
Kein Unterschied gehabt, bleibts billig noch darbei.

23. Die Eh hat Gott gewollt, die Unzucht zu vermeiden,
Weil der verderbte Mensch pflegt manche Brunst zu leiden.
Wie soll der Priester dann nicht haben gleiches Recht,
Dieweil er auch gehört in Adams Stammgeschlecht. 


24. Die Mess bleibt auch bei uns, nur dies kann nicht bestehen,
Daß Christi Opferung soll widerum geschehen,
Warhaftig, ohne Blut, und haben gleiche Kraft,
Wie jene, daß die Sünd dardurch werd abgeschaft. 


25. Wer in den Beichtstuhl kömmt, und spricht, er hab gesündigt,
Dem wird aus GOttes Wort Vergebung angekündigt,
Und Christi Leib und Blut im Abendmahl gereicht,
Obschon nicht alle Sünd mit Umstand angezeigt. 


26. Kasteien seinen Leib mit Fasten und dergleichen,
Wanns soll zur Andacht und zu Gottes Ehr gereichten,
Ists eine feine Weis: Wer anders sucht darin,
Vielleicht nur eigen Ehr, der häget falschen Sinn. 


27. Das Klosterleben wär an sich ein feines Leben:
Allein der Misgebrauch, daß sich darein ergeben
Die Leut mit Unbedacht, mit Zwang und mit dem Wahn
Deß eigenen Verdienst, stiftt eitel Böses an.

28. Den Geistlichen hat Gott das geistlich Recht gegeben:
Drum sollen sie sich nicht erkühnen auch darneben
zu sitzen wie ein Fürst im weltlichen Gericht:
den Weltlichen gehörts, und keinem Priester nicht.

(29.) Es wäre mehrers zwar noch übrig zu vermelden,
Das wegen Misgebrauchs man nicht kann lassen gelten:
Doch sei dies jetzt genug: wer weiter was begehrt,
Wird allzeit auf die Frag der Antwort sein gewährt.

*Old Alternate melody for "O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is"

Taking a break from translations, here is an interesting melody I found in Kümmerle. It is an old alternate melody for "O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is." Perhaps it might find its way again to some of the other hymns that use this same meter.


The melody is by Peter Sohren, and found in his edition of Praxis Pietatis Melica (Frankfurt, 1668) as well as in his hymnal Musikalisches Vorschmack (1683). Here it is transposed from G mix. to E mix. to avoid the high f and g:

Schau, Sündiger Mensch, wer du bist

Here is my translation of “Schau, Sündiger Mensch, wer du bist” (M. Weiße, 1566), which is supposed to be based on Rex Christe factor omnium. The hymn had 13 stanzas, but there are two versions, the older going by the first line “Sündiger Mensch, schau wer du bist,” which is the version of the title Ludecus specifies for Judica, Palmarum, and Good Friday. The melody is that used for Rex Christe.


“O SINNER, see thy wretched case,”
Saith Jesus Christ, our Lord of grace:
“Take thought, how God doth rage at thee,
How all thy works are vanity.”

2. “Behold what mercies in Me swell!
I spare no good, I love thee well;
Thy fear and anguish I have known
For they have pierced Me to the bone.”

3. “I suffered much distress for thee,
Was scorned and mocked most grievously,
That by Myself thou might’st be graced,
And I by thee forever praised.”

4. “I suffered beatings, wounds and pain,
That I might make thee well again.
And that thou mayst thy sins deplore,
Nor need to suffer evermore.”

5. “I was for thy sake made a curse
To crown thee with a blessed verse,
And fixed in thee My doctrine pure,
Thy sanctifying to ensure.”

6. “I let My wrists in bonds be bruised,
To make thee, from sin’s fetters loosed
And wholly trusting to My grace,
To see at last My joyous face.”

7. “I took their scorn, and beaten down,
Was dressed with mocking robe and crown,
And, fastened to the cross with nails,
I died amid the mournful wails.”

8. “There for thy good I freely spilt
My precious blood, unflecked by guilt,
Thy sinful bondage to dispel,
Subduing devil, death and hell.”

9. “Sin, hell, and death through Adam came,
But grace and heaven through My name,
Eve went where she was not allowed,
But I to God My Father bowed.”

10. “Eve gave occasion to the foe,
And took and ate the fruit of woe,
While I, with arms outstretched, had naught
But gall and vinegar unsought.”

11. “In Adam, not one thing was meet,
Wherefore My wounding was complete:
In full I paid with patience mild
The debts that Adam’s sin compiled.”

12. “Repent, O man, and change thy way,
Make Me by faith thy hope and stay,
And thou wilt find from sin release,
And for thy soul, eternal peace.”

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Schau Sündiger Mensch wer du bist
spricht unser HErre Jesus Christ,
gedenk du seist in Gottes Zorn,
mit deim Thun ewiglich verlorn.

2. Sieh an, Ich von großer Geduld,
gönn dir guts und bin dir sehr Hold,
dein Angst und Noth ist mir bewußt,
denn ich habs rechtschaffen gekost’t.

3. Ich leid um deinetwegen Noth,
großen Kummer, viel Hohn und Spott,
aufdaß du wohl würdest begabt
und ich ewig von dir gelobt.

4. Ich ward geschlagen und verwundt,
aufdaß ich dich ganz macht gesund,
und du alle Sünd vermiedest
hie, und dort nicht ewig liedest.

5. I ward für dich vermaledeit,
daß du würdest gebenedeit,
und in dir haftet meine Lehr,
dir also alles heilig wär.

6. Ich ward gebunden und verspeit,
aufdaß du von Irrthum gefreit,
mir gänzlich möchtest vertrauen,
und mein fröhlich Antlitz schauen.

7. Ich ward gegeißelt und verhöhnt,
spöttisch gekleidet und gekrönt,
darnach an ein Kreuz geschlagen,
an dem ich starb mit wehklagen.

8. Allda vergoß ich dir zu gut
mildiglich mein unschuldig Blut,
daß ich dich von Sünden entbünd
Teufel, Tod und Höll überwind.

9. Durch Adam kam Sünd, Höll und Tod,
und durch mich kömmt Leben und Gnad:
Heva ging wohin sie nicht sollt,
ich aber wo mein Vater wollt.

10. Heva gab dem Verführer raum,
nahm und aß vom verbotnen Baum:
ich aber am Kreuz ausgestreckt
hab nur Gall und Essig geschmeckt.

11. Der ganz Adam war ungesund,
derhalb mein ganzer Leib verwundt:
Ich hab bezahlet mit Geduld,
alles was Adam hat verschuldt.

12. Thu Buß, o Mensch, und besser dich,
bau dich durch den Glauben auf mich,
so wirstu los deiner Sünden,
und Ruh deiner Seel erfinden.

O wir armen Sünder (st. 6/6)

Here is my translation of “O [Ach] wir armen Sünder!” (H. Bonnus, ca. 1543). It comes from the 15th c. Latin hymn on Christ's passion, and the melody is a variation thereof. Ludecus appoints it for Quinquagesima and for Trinity III. It seems to be corrected from a popular vernacular hymn, "O you wretched Judas." The melodies shown below are Lossius' version with the first stanza of the Latin, and the German form of 1527, which has two options for the Kyrie. According to Lossius, the stanzas of the hymn Rex Christe Factor omnium [“O Christ, Our King, Creator, Lord”] were interposed between those of this hymn.


1. Oh, what wretched sinners
Are we on this earth!
Sinners from conception,
Sinners from our birth!
Brought by our transgression
Into such distress
We deserve damnation
For our sinfulness.
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison!

2. Our escape could never
Out of death be gained
By our own endeavor—
Sin too strongly reigned;
For to gain redemption
Nothing else could be
But God’s Son must suffer
Death and agony.
Kyrie, etc.

3. Had our Lord not met us
Here upon the earth,
And upon Him taken
Our own fleshly birth,
And for our transgression
Died most willingly—
We would face damnation
For eternity.
Kyrie, etc.

4. Such was the great favor
And the tender care
Which in Christ our Savior
God for us laid bare,
When, in bitter passion
Christ upon the cross
Earned us the salvation
Freely giv’n to us.
Kyrie, etc.

5. With such consolation
In both sin and death,
Fires of condemnation
Cannot shake our faith;
Rescue from all danger
Is our sure bequest
From Our Lord and Savior,
Christ, forever blest.
Kyrie, etc.

6. Let us altogether
Sing our joyful boast,
Thanking God the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost,
Praying for protection,
From offenses here,
And the preservation
Of His Word so dear.
Kyrie, etc.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. Ach wir armen Sünder!
unser Missethat,
darin wir empfangen
und geboren sind,
hat gebracht uns alle
in solch große Noth,
daß wir unterworfen
sind dem ewgen Tod.
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison!

2. Aus dem Tod wir konnten
durch unsr eigen Werk
nimmer werdn gerettet:
die Sünd war zu stark;
daß wir würdn erlöset,
konnts nicht anders sein,
Gottes Sohn mußt leiden
des Tods bitter Pein.
Kyrie etc.

3. So nicht wäre kommen
Christus in die Welt,
und an sich genommen
unser arm Gestalt,
und für unser Sünde
gestorben williglich:
hätten wir mußt werden
verdammt ewiglich.
Kyrie etc.

4. Solche große Gnade
und väterlich Gunst
hat uns Gott erzeiget
lauterlich umsonst
in Christo, seim Sohn[e],
der sich geben hat
in den Tod des Kreuzes
uns zur Seligkeit.
Kyrie etc.

5. Deß solln wir uns trösten
gegen Sünd und Tod,
und ja nicht verzagen
vor der Hölle Glut;
denn wir sind gerettet
aus all Fährlichkeit
durch Christ unsern Herren,
globt in Ewigkeit,
Kyrie etc.

6. Darum wolln wir loben,
danken allezeit
dem Vater und Sohne
und dem Heilgen Geist!
bitten, daß sie wollen
hüten uns vor Arg,
und daß wir stets bleiben
bei seim heilgen Wort.
Kyrie etc.