Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Merciful and Wondrous Throne

What: Actually, this hymn has also been wonderfully translated by Aaron Jensen. I have taken the liberty of borrowing his title, since Cronenwett's is, well, not as good (Grace O'erflowing Wonder-Throne).
Who: Johann Olearius (1611-1684) was a Lutheran pastor who wrote a number of hymns, including "Comfort, Comfort All My People."
Note: Cronenwett added the last line to each stanza so as to fill out the meter to 77 77 D.
Tune: WINDSOR, LSB 394.
Merciful and wondrous Throne,
Son of God and Mary’s Son,
God and man, an infant small
Find we cradled in a stall,
Sov'reign from eternity
Great in might and majesty,
Unto Thee bows Christendom;
Make our hearts Thee welcome home.

Thou art rich, yet needy now
Soul and body dost endow;
Thou, great God, become forlorn
Yet put death and hell to scorn.
To the world grows manifest
E'en to those who love Thee least:
Wonderful Thy majesty,
Peerless Thy humility.

Lord, Thy grace and goodness true
Daily unto us renew;
O my God, forsake me not
When dire need and death's my lot.
Grant that after life's brief day,
I Thy wondrous glory may
In eternity adore
And Thy love praise evermore.
Wunderbarer Gnadenthron
Johann Olearius
Tr. E. Cronenwett, alt.

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