O Sacred Feast in Holy Place

What: This is a catechetical hymn on the Lord's Supper. That is, it reminds the singers what they are receiving when they eat and drink the bread and wine. And yet the hymnwriter doesn't just set a dissertation to rhyme, but eloquently and poetically speaks from the heart on why the Lord's Supper is so special.
Who: This hymn was originally written in Latin by G.W. Wettmann, put into German by in 1868, and "Englished" in 1925, presumably by Emanuel Cronenwett.
Note: I cannot find G. W. Wettmann on the internet, nor the German title, "O welch ein heilig Abendmahl." Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Changes: I've updated the text a little, although there are still some awkward phrases.
Tune: The meter is LM (88 88). I think that WENN WIR IN HÖCHSTEN NOTEN SEIN (LSB 615) would be the most appropriate tune, but if that's too difficult, DUNEDIN (LSB 599) would also work.

O sacred feast in holy place,

Whose food and drink is saving grace,

Communion of Christ's Brotherhood

With Christ Himself as Host and Food.

"In, with, and under" earthly bread,

The Lamb once offered in our stead,

As very Bread of Life from heav'n

For our soul's hunger here is giv'n.

Mysteriously, with cup e'er blest,

As to disciples first address'd,

Christ graciously imparts His Blood

Unto our soul's eternal good.

Hence, present at this Board we face

Not merely Christ's forth-given grace;

That He Himself is present here,

Hold this in faith and trust sincere.

To Christ triumphant, this is giv'n:

Almightiness in earth, in heav'n;

His Word is truth and verity,

Both now- and thru eternity.

"This is My body, is My blood:"

This designates the unseen Good,

Which orally each guest receives,

Yes, even those who disbelieve.

With lips and faith the worthy guest

Here seeks and finds in Christ's soul-rest,

And though unworthy also come:

They give up blessing, to their doom.

O Lord, have mercy!, grant us grace

With thankful hearts Thy Name to praise,

And laud Thee someday face-to face.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

O welch ein heilig Abendmahl
From the Latin of G. W. Wettman
German version comp. Rev. G. Cronenwett and Prof. W. Lehmann, 1868
Tr. Emanuel Cronenwett, 1926, alt.

At Jesus' Feet Our Infant Sweet

What: This delightful  baptism hymn appears in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal and the American Lutheran Hymnal, but also in the ELH of 1996. I guess it's like a native English version of "Dearest Jesus, We are Here," LSB 592.
Who: Matthias Loy was an Ohio Lutheran pastor, who wrote and translated many hymns that are beloved enough even to be included in LSB.
Changes: Only some real small ones for understandability's sake.
Tune: The meter is CMD, and because of the unique rhyme scheme, I suggest the new tune SARAH-ELIZABETH (LSB 699). If this is unfamiliar, ELH has ELLACOMBE, LSB 906.

At Jesus' feet our infant sweet

We lay with all his/her stain,

That renders him/her for heav'n unmeet

Until he's/she's born again.

We here embrace His promised grace

In this baptismal wave,

Nor shall the world our trust efface-

This bath his/her soul will save.

We cannot see the Holy Three

Concealed the font within,

Mere water seems the mystery

That cleases us from sin;

But who can tell what good things dwell

Thru God's Word in this flood;

Or who the simple faith repel

That trusts in Jesus' blood.

We bring our child by sin defiled

Then, dearest Lord! to Thee,

Here clothe him/her in Thy nature mild,

From sin here make him/her free;

And buried here in death severe,

To new life may he/she rise

And, fit for Thee, with Thee appear

Immortal in the skies.

Matthias Loy, alt.

Amazing Grace 2.0

As a hymn nerd, I enjoy watching hymnals progress. In the LCMS, there was the ELHB, then TLH, then LW, and now LSB. In the Ohio Synod, there was the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, the American Lutheran Hymnal, and the... nope, they merged and there was never an update to the ALH. This post is the first of a few that will try to update some of the gems ALH has.

Who: I can't find any info on the hymnwriter, Christian Ludwig Scheidt, but the translator was Hermann Brueckner, who translated many, many hymns for the ALH.
What: This hymn, an alternative translation to "By Grace I'm Saved" (LSB 566), reminds us that salvation does not depend on our works, reason, or feelings, but only on Jesus' grace. 
Changes: I have severely updated the text.
Note: To see all ten stanzas in English, check out Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal 252.
Tune: O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE, LSB 566.

Amazing Grace! I am God's child_!

This promise you can trust, my heart.

God's Word is pure and undefiled_,

It is the truth in whole and part.

His Word is ever strong and true:

By grace He gives new life to you.

Amazing grace! I shall inherit

That blissful home beyond the skies.

Works count for nothing, God incarnate

Has won for me the heav'nly prize.

His death means my sins are atoned

And I am saved by grace alone.

Amazing grace! Mark well this promise

When you're oppressed by all your sin,

When Satan comes to vex your conscience,

And when your heart seeks peace within.

What reason cannot understand

God by His grace to you will send.

Amazing grace! Salvation's fountain,

As long as God is truth, will flow.

What all the saints of God have written,

What God's own words so plainly show,

What faith alone can rest upon

Is grace alone in God's own Son.

Amazing grace! This sav'ry sentence

On my death bed shall comfort me.

I know my sin in all its greatness,

But also Him Who sets me free.

My heart to peace and joy gives place

Since I'm saved by amazing grace.

Aus Gnaden soll ich selig werden
C.L. Scheidt
Tr. H. Brueckner, ed. MDS

Christ's Crimson Blood and Righteousness

Who: The Reformer, Martin Luther, held that hymns are more than just songs of praise to God. In fact, since music helps us remember the lyrics better, hymns should teach the faith. Emanuel Cronenwett continued this tradition in the hymn below. It's a Lutheran alternative to the more famous translation by John Wesley (Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness, LSB 563). The original hymnwriter was Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf.
What: (new category I'm trying) This hymn teaches that even if we could become sinless (as some claim), we would still need Jesus' grace.
Note: This hymn is a "cento," meaning only some of the original verses have been translated.
Changes: none
Tune: As in the LSB, the tune should be ST. CRISPIN.

Christ's crimson blood and righteousness

My glory are and spotless dress:

In this before my God I'll stand

And enter heav'n, my Father's land.

And should I thru Christ's merits prove

Yet e'er so faithful in my love,

That I could keep from wrong alway

And sin not, to my dying day,

Still would I, when I Christ shall see,

Not think of zeal or piety,

But this: a sinner nears the throne

Whose plea for life is grace alone.

Be praised, O Jesus, without end,

That Thou from heaven didst descend,

And hast for me a ransom paid,

For all a full atonement made.

Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit
Count Nikolas von Zinzendorf
Tr. E. Cronenwett

In Thee Alone, O Christ- NEW TUNE

Who: The text is by Konrad Hubert. It appears in TLH (319)- translated by Arthur T. Russel- and LW (357) and the Organist's addition of the LSB (972) with a newer, better translation by Gilbert Doan (I Trust, O Christ, in You Alone).

Note: Here's the link to the pdf version and here's the midi version.

Changes: I've written a new tune which- tho a little amateurish- should at least be singable. If anyone has suggestions (especially on the harmony), I will gladly accept them.

Tune: The meter is 87 87 888 48 and I've named my tune SOLA CHRISTE.

Baptized, O Christ, into Thy Death

Who: Anna Hoppe was a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran and is one of the few women hymnwriters. (Her only hymn in LSB is 841, "O Son of God, in Galilee") The hymn below is found in her "Songs of the Church Year," published in 1928.
Note: Based on Romans 6 (the text of my first sermon!).
Tune: The meter is 87 87 887 and I recommend ES IST DAS HEIL (LSB 601).

Baptized, O Christ, into Thy death,

Entombed with Thee, my Savior,

Dead unto sin, in steadfast faith

I grasp Thy blood-bought favor.

Reborn in Thy baptismal flood,

And ris'n with Thee, blest Son of God

In Thy new life I glory!

Death has no more dominion now;

I fear no condemnation

Since by Thy resurrection Thou

Hast sealed my soul's salvation.

A giving Father's love is mine.

Thy Spirit, in Thy Word divine,

Declares me free forever.

From satan's hellish cords released,

I'm now an heir of heaven.

Thy sacrifice, O blest High Priest,

Sin from its pow'r has riven.

The carnal flesh is crucified;

In godly strength, by Thee supplied,

I overcome temptation.

Grant me a pure and contrite heart

By virtue of Thy merit;

Thy sanctifying pow'r impart

Through Thy indwelling Spirit.

A pilgrim in this world of strife,

O may Thy resurrection life

My faith increase and strengthen.

Thy Sacrament of Baptism, Lord,

Abounds in consolation.

Faith rests securely in Thy Word,

Blest sureness of salvation!

Redeemed, forgiven, justified,

O let me in Thy grace abide

And flee all sinful pleasure.

Oh, may Thy life in holiness

Be in my life reflected,

Till in Thy robe of righteousness,

Healed, glorified, perfected,

In Thy pure likeness I shall dwell,

And praise Thee, blest Immanuel,

Forever and forever.

Anna Hoppe, alt.

What We Can Never Understand

Who: This is yet another great hymn by the great Paul Gerhardt. There are two other translations- by Richard Massie and John Kelly- but both of them are archaic. So, I've made a new translation, but with an eye on the others.
Note: YHWH- God's Name, meaning 'I am-' is pronounced Yahweh.
'Rood' is an old word for 'cross,' related to the word 'rod.'
Tune: Christian Hählke has written a new tune just for this hymn. The meter is 87 87 87 87 7.

What we can never understand,

With all our gathered wisdom,

God has shown forth to ev'ry land

From His high heav'nly kingdom:

There is no other King but He,

He overthrows all rivals,

Great, mighty, full of charity,

In Him is our survival,

One Essence, yet three Persons.

He has a holy, blessed Name:

God Father, Son, and Spirit.

That's how He's to be known and famed,

His upright seed declare it.

He's God of Isaac, Abraham,

And Jacob, whom He favors,

YHWH, the Lord, the great I AM,

To us He hands His blessings o'er,

He Who alone works wonders.

Before time was the Father sent

The Son, in His own likeness;

The Son, when time was fullest, went

Into our flesh, as promised.

The Holy Spirit timelessly

Proceeds from Father and Son,

With equal worth and majesty,

With co-eternal might and crown

And undivided oneness.

See here, my heart, this is your Good,

Your rich, unequaled treasure,

This is your Friend Who on the rood

Gave health in fullest measure,

Who made atonement for your sins,

Who made you in His likeness,

Who gives you trusting faith, wherein

There's comfort in His promises,

Found only in His Gospel.

Arise and go unto your Lord,

And glean His righteous treasure

He will your burdened soul award

His peace in fullest measure.

He fosters us in purest love,

Fits us for life in heaven,

Here we don't know of things above,

But there our God has given

His children's ears their yearning.

Watch out, you unbelieving horde,

Who've shut your eyes to Knowing,

Who've trashed the glory of the Lord,

To hungry canines throwing!

The door of heaven will be shut

And locked to you forever,

For those who drive away our God

He will deny and sever

From His beloved kingdom.

Victorious Lord, Your mercy show,

O God of earth and heaven,

That ev'ry sinner here below

Repent and be forgiven;

Remove the blindfold from our eyes,

Bring back those who have wandered,

Destroy the stumbling block which lies

Upon the way to yonder,

Increase our faith in trials.

In unity, grant us to fare

To new life's mighty portals,

And praise You in Your kingdom there

With all the blest immortals.

You are the King of Kings alone,

Who's overthrown all rivals,

God Father, Son, and Spirit, One,

Who's won for us survival,

One Essence, yet three Persons.

Was alle Weisheit in der Welt
Paul Gerhardt
tr. MDS

Christ in the Bonds of Death Was Lain

Who: This is Martin Luther's great Easter hymn, one that unfortunately has fallen out of popularity.
Note: There are other fine translations out there. However, in writing an academic paper on Bach's cantata on this hymn for Dr. Robert Kolb, I wanted a translation that meshed with Bach's setting. This is the result.
"Ou-r" is our pronounced with two syllables, like is becoming commonly spoken.
'Thrall' means slavehood.
Changes: This is a composite translation (hodge-podge of translations) that I've altered to line up with Bach. Sometimes this means awkwardness.
Tune: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN (LSB 458). An newly composed tune can be found in Christian Worship Supplement 791 and heard here.

Christ in the bonds of death was lain,

For ou-r sins was given;

But Jesus Christ is ris'n again

And brings us life from heaven.

Let us all rejoice, therefore,

And give Him thanks forevermore.

And sing loud hallelujahs.

Hallelujah!

Their death no one could overwin,

Nor hell nor yet the Devil.

This all was made through ou-r sin:

None innocent but evil.

Thus death came upon us all,

And bound the fallen world in thrall.

It held us in its kingdom.

Hallelujah!

But Jesus Christ, God's only Son,

In ou-r stead descended.

He put away our sins alone

And death's great power ended,

Ruined all its right and claim,

And it has naught left but the name:

Its sting is lost forever.

Hallelujah!

It was a great and wondrous thing

When life and death contended;

Life was the one that got the win,

The rule of death was ended.

Holy Scripture spoke of it,

How one death would the other eat,

A joke is what it’s been made.

Hallelujah!

Here the right Easter Lamb we see,

Bebidd’n of us from heaven,

Once high upon th'accurséd tree,

In burning love was given.

See, His blood now marks our door;

Faith holds it up; death passes o'er.

The Murderer can't harm us.

Hallelujah!

So, let us keep this holy day,

With our heart's joy o'erflowing,

The Lord Himself with heav'nly ray

This day on us bestowing.

Now His grace to us imparts

Eternal sunshine to our hearts;

The night of sin has vanished.

Hallelujah!

Let's eat this righteous Easter bread,

Thereby, forever living.

The yeast of sin must be ousted

By grace, which He is giving.

Christ alone our souls will feed,

He is our food and drink indeed;

Faith lives on nothing other.

Hallelujah!

Christ lag in Todesbanden

Martin Luther

tr. composite, alt.

Christ Gave Himself to Die

Who: This is still another hymn translated by J. Wedderburn.
Note: A 'rood' is a cross, related to the word 'rod.'
This is the only English translation that I know of (based on a google search, tho).
Changes: As always, I altered and edited until it fit and at least semi-rhymed.
Tune: The meter is 88 88 88, and I recommend ALL EHR UND LOB, LSB 948.



Christ gave Himself to die, He did,
And for our fault the mend He made;
For us He shed His precious blood
With great triumph upon the the rood,
And sin and Satan there He slain,
And savéd us from all Hell's pain.


For He again from death up-rose,
Victor of death and all our foes.
He raised the great obligation
That barred our way to salvation:
He banished Satan, hell, and sin
And heav'nly glor' to us did win.


And we are now with God at peace,
Thru Christ, received into His grace,
Our Father: merciful is He;
And we shall sing with Him in bliss.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Benedicamus domino.


Christus pro nobis passus est
Anonymous
tr. Wedderburns, alt.

Son of Man, I Cry to Thee

Who: Richard Mant was English clergyman from the early 1800's. He is most remembered for his translation, Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest.
Changes: I've changed a couple of words to rhyme better.
Tune: The meter is 77 77 77, so I recommend GETHSEMANE, LSB 436.

Son of Man, I cry to Thee;

By the wondrous mystery

Of Thy dwelling here on earth,

By Thy pure and holy birth,

Lord, Thy presence let me see,

Make Thyself known unto me.

Lamb of God, I cry to Thee;

By Thy bitter agony,

By Thy pangs, to us unknown,

By Thy spirit's parting groan,

Lord, Thy presence let me see,

Make Thyself known unto me.

Prince of Life, I cry to Thee;

By Thy glorious majesty,

By Thy triumph o'er the grave,

By Thy might to help and save,

Lord, Thy presence let me see,

Make Thyself known unto me.

Lord of Glory, God Most High,

Man exalted to the sky!

With Thy love my bosom fill;

Prod me to perform Thy will;

Then Thy glory I shall see,

Thou wilt bring me home to Thee.

Richard Mant, alt.

Psalm 51

Guilt: the tool of a loving Father, and the haunt of children in the night. I know that I- like most folks- struggle with guilt. I'm either feeling guilty about something I've recently said or done, or I'm feeling guilty for something I've done years ago. What's one to do with all this guilt?
King David was feeling this way when the Holy Spirit breathed in him the words below. I've chosen to give the New English Bible translation, since I think it has the best poetry, even though I have made changes here and there. If you'd prefer an older translation, here is a good one. And if you'd prefer newer language, here's another good one.

Be gracious to me, O God, in Thy true love;

in the fullness of Thy mercy blot out my misdeeds.

Wash away all my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

For well I know my misdeeds,

and my sins are with me all day long.

Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned

and done what displeases Thee,

so that Thou canst be proved right in thy charge

and just in passing sentence.

In iniquity I was born

and my mother conceived me in sin;

yet, though Thou hast hidden the truth in darkness,

through this mystery Thou dost teach me wisdom.

Take hyssop and sprinkle me, that I be clean;

Wash me, so I become whiter than snow;

Oh, let me hear the sounds of gladness,

let the bones which Thou hast broken dance for joy.

Turn away Thy face from my sins

and blot out all my guilt.

Create a pure heart in me, O God,

and give me a new and steadfast spirit;

do not drive me from Thy presence

or take Thine Holy Spirit from me;

Revive in me the joy of Thy deliverance

and grant me a willing spirit to uphold me.

I will teach transgressors the ways that lead to Thee,

and sinners shall return to Thee again.

O LORD God, my deliverer, save me from bloodshed,

and I will sing the praises of thy justice.

Open my lips, O Lord,

so my mouth can proclaim Thy praise.

Thou hast no delight in sacrifice;

if I brought Thee an offering, Thou wouldst not accept it.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a wounded heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Let it be Thy pleasure to do good to Zion,

to build anew the walls of Jerusalem.

Then only shalt Thou delight in the appointed sacrifices;

then shall young bulls be offered on Thine altar.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and always will be. Amen!

חָנֵּ֣נִי אֱלֹהִ֣ים כְּחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ
Holy Spirit / King David
tr. NEB, alt. MDS