To God Let All the Human Race

Who: This hymn, by Phillip Melanchton and translated by John Christian Jacobi, speaks of God's work through the angels, and is the appointed hymn for today, Michaelmas. Another translation appears in LSB 522 and is made by Emanuel Cronenwett, whom will appear on this blog in posts to come.
Changes: I've updated the text a little.
Note: LSB stanzas 4-7 do not appear here. Likewise, some of the verses that the LSB cuts out do. The ELH, however, has all 16 verses of the original. Jacobi's translation includes v1-3, 12, 8-10, 15, 14.
Tune: LSB has ERHALT UNS HERR, but HERR GOTT, DICH LOBEN ALLE WIR (The Doxology) is also fitting.

To God let all the human race

Bring humble worship mixed with grace,

Who makes His love and wisdom known

By angels that surround His throne.

These angels, whom Your breath inspires,

Your ministers, are flaming fires,

As swift as thought their armies move,

To bear Your vengeance or Your love.

They gladly listen to Your will,

They love to grow their knowledge still;

They always serve the Lord their Rock,

In keeping guard around Your flock.

The Good, where'er Your children dwell,

They do, no mortal tung can tell,

Nor what their heav'nly care prevents,

Where they are bid to pitch their tents.

Brave Daniel found their benefit,

When with the lions (was) forced to sit;

And likewise angels rescued Lot,

So the ungodly harmed him not.

What did the three men in the flame,

Soon as their guardian-angel came?

Did not the oven's scorching fire

Resound with strains of heav'nly choir.

So God defends us day by day

From many dangers in our way

By angels, who do always keep

A watchful eye when we're asleep.

We pray to let their heav'nly host

Be guardians of our land and coast,

To keep Your little flock in peace,

So we can lead of life of grace.

O Lord, we'll bless You all our days,

Our soul shall glory in Your grace,

Your praise shall dwell upon our tungs,

All saints and angels join our songs.

Dicimus grates tibi, summe rerum
Philip Melanchton; German version Paul Eber
Tr. John Christian Jacobi, alt.

Only to God on High Be Glor'

(The first post!)
Who: This paraphrase of the Gloria in excelsis (Glory in the highest), was written by Nicolaus Decius in 1525. While this translation is not as familiar as Winkworth's, nor as accurate as the Lutheran Service Book's, it has the distinction of being translated into (Scottish) English at the time of the Reformation!
Changes: I have done my best to modernize what needs to be (including spelling), as well as fixed some rhymes and meters, which apparently did not used to be important.
Note: the word 'love' here does not mean 'affection' or 'charity,' but rather 'laud' or 'praise.' (cf. German 'Lob.') It died out for the same reason as the US half-dollar.
Tune: I'm not sure what the Scots used, but I suggest singing this to "Allein Gott in der Höh,'" also by Decius, LSB 947.

Only to God on high be glor',

And loaving be unto His grace;

Who can condemn us anymore,

Since we are now at our Lord's peace?

Unto His favor we are one,

Through faith in Jesus Christ alone,

Because His wrath shall end and cease.

We worship and we loave and praise

Thy majesty and magnitude;

That Thou, God, Father only wise,

Reigns over all with fortitude:

No tung can tell Thy strength or might,

Thy words and thoughts are all aright,

And all Thy works are just and good.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son only borne

Of God, Thy Father celestíal;

Thou savéd us who were forlorne,

From sin and hell and Satan's thrall.

Lord God's pure Lamb, Thou took on Thee

All of our sin to satisfy.

Lord be merciful to us all.

O Holy Ghost, our comfort good,

From feindish foes Thy flock defend,

Whom Christ redeeméd with His blood,

To Thy keeping we them commend,

From error and hypocrosy,

Us quicken in Thy verity

To persevere unto the end.

Nicolaus Decius

Tr. J. Wedderburns, ed. MDS