On this Blest Epiphany

What: Basically, this hymn is a prayer to Jesus, that He accept and sanctify the poor singer's "gifts" offered Him in the Divine Service. 

Who: Erdmann Neumeister was a Lutheran hymnwriter who lived around the same time as Bach. He also wrote "Jesus Sinners Doth Receive" and the newly translated, "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It."

Changes: This translation is largely inspired by and edited from Emanuel Cronenwett's translation in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal (#52). The translation below should be much more faithful to the original German.

Notes: In the original German the last line is a clear reference to "Jesus sinners doth receive." Special thanks to James Prothro, fellow graduate of CTX and fellow student here at the Sem, for helping me muddle thru the German. Lastly, I have included an alternate translation  of st. 3 for those singers neither at church nor knowing the word 'sate.'

Tune: The meter is 78 78 77 and the ELHal has JESUS NIMMT DIE SÜNDER AN, Jesus Sinners Doth Receive, LSB 609.

On this blest Epiphany

I have gifts for You, dear Jesus.

I would serve You willingly

Where You first serve me with graces.

In Your mercy, Lord, receive
What gifts I, a beggar, give.

Take the gold of faith, O Lord
It is only what You gave me
By Your Spirit and Your Word
In the water, for to save me.
Try it, make it pure from dross
In the furnace of the cross.

Take the frankincense of prayer 
And in mercy let it sate You.
As my hands rise in the air,
May this sacrifice elate You.
Hear me when I pray, O Lord
And Your "Yea, Amen!" afford.

Take the bitter myrrh of rue;

How my sins are great and grievous!

You alone are good and true,

Source of healing and forgiveness.

Lord, I praise You and believe 

Jesus my gifts doth receive.

Erdmann Neumeister

Tr. comp.

Take the frankincense of prayer;
Let it please You, I implore You.
May my hands rise in the air
As a sacrifice before You.
Hear me when I pray, O Lord
And Your "Yea, Amen!" afford.

Thank God! My Jesus Cleanses Me

What: This hymn is for the Presentation of Christ, when Jesus has just been circumcised and Mary has just been purified. The hymnwriter, Johann Olearius, brilliantly twists the images of the day: Christ's shed blood purifies us.
Who: The main translator, August Crull, was an LCMS pastor who put together an hymnal in 1884, before working on the LCMS's first English hymnal, the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book. This hymn is found there, as # 189.
Note: Mark the Small Catechism allusion in verse 1. Also, note that 'Simeon' has 3 syllables.
Changes: I've updated the text a little.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 887 and ELHB has ES IST DAS HEIL (Salvation Unto Us Has Come)

Thank God! My Jesus cleanses me

From all sins I committed,

He paid my debt and set me free,

So now I am acquitted.

I trust in Jesus' righteousness,

His innocence and blessedness

Are now my life and treasure.

Why should I grieve? He Who fulfilled,

The Law, so to release us,

He Who the Father's wrath has stilled

By His own death, this Jesus

Still lives and ev'rything He owns

He gives to me thru faith alone;

Is there a greater treasure?

Now I, like Simeon, can end

My life in peace and gladness,

And to my God I can commend

My spirit without sadness;

For when I shut my weary eyes,

My death will mean I see the Christ

And feel the bliss of heaven.

Lord, may I always be prepared,

Upon Your grace relying!

Oh, keep me in Your favor here,

So I am Yours when dying;

Then I will cry, with cheerful faith

In Him, Who, dying, conquered death,

"Come Jesus! Lord, come quickly!"

Gott Lob! mein Jesus macht mich rein
Johann Olearius
Tr. comp