Lord Jesus Christ, Your Precious Blood

What: This hymn is pretty much your standard Lutheran Lenten hymn. The writer called it a "Meditation on the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ."
Who: Johann Olearius was a Lutheran hymnologist who lived in the 1600's. He is known for a whole lot of hymns, including "Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People."
Changes: I've combined, updated, and altered the translations of C.H.L. Schuette of the old Ohio Synod and A.T. Russell of the Church of England.
Tune: The meter is LM. The most common tune is "Renew Me, O Eternal Light," LSB 704, but it does have a proper tune, given here.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your precious blood

Is to my soul the highest good:

It gives my sins the perfect cure,

Renews my life, and makes me pure.

Your blood, my spotless glorious dress,

Your innocence, my righteousness:

Before my God I pardoned stand,

And enter, crowned, the heav'nly land.

Lord Jesus Christ, God's only Son,

My Comfort, Health, and Mercy-Throne,

Your precious blood, Your quick'ning pow'r

Renews my spirit ev'ry hour.

Lord, keep me, in my final breath,

From fearing Satan, hell, or death.

But let this thought relieve my soul:

Your blood has made me pure and whole!

Herr Jesu Christ, dein theures Blut
J. Olearius
Tr. comp.

Heart to Heart in Christ United

What: The hymn below is of Moravian origin, and was once popular for weddings. Most translations (and there are quite a few) make this an odd thing, since the original hymn was talking about unity in the church, although unity in wedlock is not a great stretch. So, I've adapted the text for a wedding context.
Who: This was written by the famous Pietist Moravian Preacher, Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf, known to most hymn lovers for Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness.
Changes: I've taken the most wedlock-appropriate parts of different translations, altered pronouns where needed, updated the language, and smoothened it all out.
Tune: The tune is O du liebe meiner liebe, LSB 423.

Heart to Heart in Christ united,

And by Him created new;

By His love divine excited,

Each of you, as He did do.

So that nothing whatsoever

Can relax this blessed tie,

In Your love, most gracious Savior,

Grant them both stability.

Help them, that with Your direction,

"Love each other" they comply,

Aiming with unfeigned affection

Your love to exemplify.

Let their mutual love be glowing,

So that others plainly see

That they both in You are growing

As one branch eternally.

Oh, that they, Your steps to follow,

Midst affliction, scorn, and spite,

And Your sacred name to hallow,

Did each other more excite!

Help them stir up one another,

Jesus, to keep You in view,

Thus encouraging each other,

Your example to pursue.

Thus these souls here joined together

Will, according to Your prayer,

Be fulfilled by Your dear Father,

And His kind protection share.

Lord, as You're with Him united,

Grant them likewise one to be,

And, by genuine love excited, 

Serve each other willingly.

Herz und Herz vereint zusammen

Count Nicolaus von Zinzendorf

Adapt. MDS

In Christ Are Joy and Gladness

What: I recently bought "Hymns and Spiritual Songs from the North: Nordic Christians Sing Their Faith," a hymnal edited by Gracia Grindal. She gathers hymns from the north lands and either translates them, edits translations of them, or slightly alters translations of them, the latest being what I assume she did with this hymn. It confesses that although we have trials in this world, we also have Christ, who is far better.
Who: Johan Nordahl Brun (1745-1816) was a Norwegian Lutheran bishop, who said of his hymns, "Our divine worship is that garden from which I have gathered my flowers.” (Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal). He is better known for his hymn, How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word, TLH 48.
Changes: In her book, Grindal has a few alterations to Smeby's original translation, and I have made a few more changes of my own, although I have also undone a couple of her changes.
The main thing I did was change the title from "In Heav'n Is Joy and Gladness," since I thought it to be a little too sentimental and grammatically incorrect.
Tune: The meter is 76 76 D. The Lutheran Hymnary pairs it with an odd tune by Goudimel, Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary pairs it with HERZLICH TUTH MICH VERLANGEN (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded), and Grindal pairs it with an easily learned Norwegian folk tune, which would my preference. For those without this book, however, I suggest pairing it with IST GOTT FUR MICH, LSB 724 (If God Himself Be for Me), since the text deals with similar themes.

In Christ are joy and gladness,

Yet while I linger here

I must endure great hardships

And suffer through each tear.

For though there are great trials

That haunt the Savior's bride,

I will live through this darkness,

For with me Christ abides.

Though some prefer this desert

And find their joy on earth.

I'll gladly bear my sorrow

And sow in bitter tears.

Then I will reap in gladness

And eye the citadel,

Where, free from care and sorrow,

Forever I shall dwell.

I shall soon see my Jesus,

My Hope, my Joy, my Stay.

The crosses I must suffer

He soon will take away.

Then nothing more shall grieve me,

And no adversity

Shall take away my gladness

When Jesus' face I see.

Hos Gud er evig glæde

J.H. Brun

Tr. O.H. Smeby, alt.

Jesus, Jesus, Only Jesus

What: This hymn appears in TLH 343, praying that Jesus will be done in all things.
Who: Ludämiliä Elisabeth Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt was a Lutheran hymn-writer in the 1600's. Although she wrote 206 hymns, none are in LSB. Besides Crull's translation of this hymn, Matthew Carver's edition of Walther's Hymnal includes two more, all of which "show her to have been of a deeply pious nature, and of intense love to Jesus." (Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology)
Changes: I have compiled a translation from a few different sources, including Crull's from TLH, updating the language, of course.
Note: I have restored the original German's acrostic J-E-S-U-S.
Tune: TLH assigns it its own tune, but it has also been associated with REGENT SQUARE, LSB 924, with the penultimate phrase slightly altered.

Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus

Can my heartfelt longing still.

Without Him my soul is lonely;

He alone shall rule my will.

For my heart prays this alone:

Jesus, let Your will be done.

Ever shall I live for Jesus,

Him alone I wish to see.

I am giving unto Jesus

What in love He gave to me.

Jesus' blood my guilt atones.

Jesus, let Your will be done.

Should a thing become my treasure,

Howsoever dear it be,

If it does not give You pleasure,

Take it, Jesus, hastily;

Only You shall fill the throne.

Jesus, let Your will be done.

Unto me bestow Your favor,

So that I Your wish fulfill.

In me, thru me, with me ever,

Blessed Jesus, do Your will.

Call me when my time has come.

Jesus, let Your will be done.

Savior, be to You uplifted

Songs that praise Your wondrous love.

May my thankful heart be gifted

With sweet music from above.

Jesus, be my joy alone.

Jesus, let Your will be done.

Jesus, Jesus, nicht als Jesus

Ludämiliä Elisabeth Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt

Tr. comp.

I Die, but What Is Death to Me?

What: This hymn, sung by one dying, beautifully confesses the biblical understanding of death.
Who: The hymn is anonymous, but likely written by the Lutheran, Rev. John C. Kunze. It is found in A Hymnal and Prayer-Book for the Use of Such Congregations as Use the English Language, 1795.
Changes: I made one or two tweaks for flow.
Note: 'Members' means 'limbs' or 'body parts.' Breaker's trumpet is a twofold reference to Micah 2:13 and I Corinthians 15:52.
Tune: I suggest HAMBURG, LSB 425.

I die, but what is death to me?

Triumphant is my surety.

The grave shall keep the dross of sin,

And sinless I shall rise again.

My Savior in the day of grief

Gained me this Sabbath of relief,

To wait for what no eyes have seen:

The glorious renovated scene.

The grave is the sanctuary

That stops the restless enemy.

Sleep, sleep, O members, with good grace:

Your Head has sanctified the place.

Soon will the Breaker's trumpet sound,

And ye shall leave this hiding ground,

To grace in ropes of life and flame

The marriage of the slaughtered Lamb.

John C. Kunze?, alt

O Thou Joy-Prolific!

What: The German carol "O du fröhliche" (Oh, How Joyfully), by Johann D. Falk, is one of those carols that everyone has heard, but can't seem to remember the words to. Maybe that's because of translations like this one. This translation is a great example of trying too hard.
Who: Emanuel Cronenwett translated this in 1878 and published it in his book, "Hymns and Poems."
Changes: None
Tune: Traditional

O Thou joy-prolific!

O thou beatific!

Christ-night halo amid earth's gloom!

Lost world in Eden fell,

Born is Immanuel!

Joy! Yea, joy to thee, O Christendom.

O thou heav'nly gleaming!

Grace and gladness beaming

Christ-night halo amid earth's gloom!

God's Son is here from heav'n,

Grace, peace to us is giv'n:

Joy! Yea, joy to thee, O Christendom.

O thou heart-elating!

O thou consecrating

Christ-night halo amid earth's gloom!

Seraphs, Lord adore Thee,

Laud Thy grace and glory!

Joy! Yea, joy to thee, O Christendom.

O du fröhliche
Johann D Falk
Tr. Emanuel Cronenwett

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.

I Come from Heaven High to Tell

What: This hymn is another Wedderburn translation, this time their version of "From Heaven Above."
Who: The Wedderburns were a family of Scottish Reformers.
Changes: I've edited this heavily. Since verse 5 just couldn't be updated or metered without major trauma, I have left it out. Because of the Scottish dialect, it's actually easier to use the 'you' form than the 'thou' form.
Note: A 'Balulalow' is an old word meaning 'cradle song' or 'lullaby.' 'Celsitude' apparently means 'heavenly-ness.' 'Swithe' means 'strong' or 'sure.'
Tune: The traditional Lutheran tune is VOM HIMMEL HOCH, LSB 358; this is the traditional Scottish tune.

1. I come from heaven high to tell

The gladdest news that e'er befell:

To you these tidings true I bring,

And I will of them say and sing.

2. This day to you is born a Child,

Of Mary meak and virgin mild;

This blessed boy, so sweet and kind

Shall give you joy of heart and mind.

3. It is the Lord Christ, God and man,

He will do for you what He can;

He will Himself your Saviour be

From sin and hell, to make you free.

4. He is our only Salvation

From everlasting damnation,

That you may reign in joy and bliss,

Forever more in heav'n with His.

6. Let us rejoice, now, and be blithe

And with the shepherds go full swithe,

See what God of His grace has done

Thru Christ to bring us to His throne.

7. My soul and life, stand up and see

What lies now in a crib of tree;

What babe is that so good and fair?

It is the Christ, God's Son and Heir.

8. Now welcome, gracious God of might,

To sinners poor and vile, unright;

You come to save us from distress-

How can we thank Your gentleness?

9. O God, Who made the creatures all,

How have You now become so small,

That on the hay and straw You'd lie,

Among the oxen in a sty.

10. And were the world ten times as wide

With gold and stones on every side,

Unworthy yet it'd to You it'd be,

Below Your feet a stool to be.

11. Your kingly silk and royal rose
Are hay and simple swaddling clothes,
Wherein, O glory's greatest King,
As You in heav'n wear in your reign.

12. You took afflictions temporal

To make me rich perpetual;

For all the worldly wealth and good

Cannot enrich Your celsitude.

13. O, my dear Heart, young Jesus sweet,

Prepare Your bed in my spirit,

And I shall rock You in my heart,

And never more from You depart.

14. But I shall praise You evermore,

With carols sweet unto Your glor',

The knees of my heart shall I bow,

And sing that old Balulalow.

15. Glory to God eternally,

Who gave His only Son for me!

The angels sing for all to hear,

The gracious gift of this new year.

Vom Himmel hoch
Martin Luther,
Tr. J. Wedderburns, ed. MDS

Rejoice! Again, Rejoice!

What: I wrote this yesterday evening while at once bored with life and excited about the day's Scripture readings. The first stanza is a paraphrase of the Epistle reading, the next of the Old Testament reading, the third and fourth of the Gospel reading, and the fifth verse is sort of a wrap-up, highlighting the underlying theme of the readings; it is based in part on today's sermon at my vicarage congregation.
Note: I know this is your standard, lame-paraphrase hymn. Still, I think this is a good exercise for me. As always, suggestions appreciated.
Tune: The meter is SM and I wrote this with FESTAL SONG in mind, only to realize this tune is only found in LW 195, although the ELW (the ELCA's new hymnal) has it too, ELW 314.

Rejoice! Again, rejoice!

Let gentleness be known.

In bids and prayers lift up your voice

To greet the coming Son.

Sing, Zion; Israel, shout!

Rejoice, lift up your heart:

The Lord has cleared your rivals out;

From you He will not part.

The followers of John

Besought the Lord for him,

"Are You the One who is to come,

Or shall we look again?"

Christ answered them, "Tell John

What you have seen and heard:

Blind see, lame walk, the dead live on,

Poor hear the Gospel Word."

Rejoice! Again, rejoice!

Though doubt may fill your heart,

Still cling to Jesus' living Voice:

From you He will not part.

MDS, 2012

Repent, the Reign of Heaven Nears

What: This Advent hymn brings to modern ears the message of John the Baptist: repent. It might be interesting to compare this Lutheran take with Charles Coffin's more familiar "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry."

Who: This is an original by Anna Hoppe. She was a WELS hymnwriter from the early 20th Century. It is a shame that only one of her hymns is found in LSB (841).

Changes: I've updated the text a little, and tried to smoothen it out.

Note: A 'behest' is an "authoritative request;" it can also mean 'promise.'

Tune: The meter is LM, and Anna Hoppe recommends HERR JESU CHRIST, MEINS LEBENS LICHT LSB 704, but ERHALT UNS HERR, LSB 908.

"Repent, the Reign of heaven nears!"

Proclaims God's prophet to our ears.

O sinners lost by Adam's fall,

Will you not listen to the call?

Repent, believe the gracious call;
Receive the pardon He gives all.

The Prince of Life, the Word-Made-Flesh

Can give you life and holiness.

Divine Redeemer, wondrous King,

Repentant hearts to You we bring.

Your holy blood was shed for us;

Create again in us clean hearts.

Drawn by Your Spirit, thru Your Word,

Your invitation we have heard.

In answer to Your sweet behest

We come to You, dear Christ, for rest.

Your pardon- full, complete, and free-
Removes sins's deadly penalty.
Humanity is now restored;
You have redeemed us, dearest Lord!

Let us forever bless Your Name,
On earth to all confess the same,
Till by Your grace, thru faith in You
The gates of paradise we view.

Anna Hoppe, alt.

A Christmas Agnus Dei

What: For special services, such as Christmas, many congregations enjoy singing the words of the liturgy to familiar tunes associated with the particular holiday. This year, I made one up myself, for the Agnus Dei. I based the text on a translation of the German Agnus Dei hymn found in the ELHal of 1880, which reads "Lamb of God, most holy...," altho the words could just have easily followed the Jacobi translation, reading "Lamb of God, our Savior...." While the final line has odd accents if sung to the Praetorius setting, it is taken from the refrain for "A Great and Mighty Wonder," LSB 383.

Who: me? Couldn't be. Then who?

Tune: The tune is "Lo, How a Rose," LSB 359. It's three repetitions (well, two plus the first) wed perfectly with the three-fold address, "Lamb of God." And the left hand in Praetorius' setting paints an appropriate picture for "away."

O Lamb of God most holy,

Have mercy upon us!

O Lamb of God most holy,

Have mercy upon us

And take our sin away!

O Lamb of God most holy,

Grant peace to all the earth!

Traditional, adapt. MDS

Be Blithe, All Christian Men, and Sing

What: Luther said that he had tried again and again, but could not write good treatise on justification. And then it came to him: what better way to express the peace and joy of being declared right with God (Romans 5) than to sing? The more well-known translation is by Richard Massie, "Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice," LSB 556.

Who: This is another translation by the Reformation era Scotsmen, the Wedderburns.

Changes: I have heavily edited this translation.

Note: "Esay" is the old English version of Isaiah (much like Jeremy is from Jeremiah). Also, the meter is slightly different, so you have to put a syllable for every note of the tune (you'll see what I mean, don't worry).

Tune: The meter is technically 88 88 888, but it can still be sung to NUN FREUT EUCH, LSB 556.

Be blithe, all Christian men, and sing;

Dance and make mirth with all your might.

Christ has brought us great comforting;

Wherefore we may rejoice of right.

A work to wonder what is wrought:

Christ with His blood has us dear bought

And for our sake was made to die.

For with the Fiend and doleful death,

With hell and sin I was forlorn,

The son of ire_ at God's feet;

Conceived, I was, in sin, and born;

I grew up more and more therein

And daily added sin to sin,

Despair was e'er before me.

Where I could not the Law fulfill,

My doings made me no supply;

So blind and weak was my "free" will,

That it did hate all verity.

My conscience cast me into care,

The devil drove me to despair,

And hell was e'er before my eye.

God had great pity on my woe,

Above all measure showed me grace,

When I was yet His cruel foe,

Yet He would cure my careful case;

His love to me He did convert,

From the most deepest of His heart,

Which cost Him dear, to make my peace.

To His beloved Son He said,

"The time of mercy now draws near,

To save man and the fiend invade.

Therefore My heart's own Son so dear:

Go fetch them from the devil's feed,

Tho man o'erthrow sin, hell, and death,

And man restore to health and fear."

The Son His Father did obey,

And came down to the earth to me;

Born of a maid, as writes Esay,

My kind, sweet brother for to be.

He took on Him my nature vile,

And did His might for to exile,

Satan and all his subtlety.

He said, "Thou shalt have victory,

If thou alone on Me depend.

For I will give Myself for thee,

Thy careful quarrel to defend.

For I am thine and Mine thou art,

And of my fame thou shalt have part,

And reign with Me without end.

"Though man shed out My blessed blood,

And also reave My life from Me,

I bear this only for thy good:

Believe that firm and steadfastly.

For my death shall thy death devour,

That sin shall thee condemn no more:

This way, man, shalt thou savéd be.

Thus from this present life I fare,

To My Father celestial,

Thy Mediator to be there,

And send thee My Spirit I shall,

To give thee great consolation,

For all thy sore tribulation,

The truth He shall teach to you all.

My doing, teaching, more and less,

That teach and do unfeignédly,

For this doth God's dear church increase,

And His great name doth magnify.

Beware of men and their command,

Which Me and My Word do gainstand,

My testament I leave to thee.

Nun freut euch, Christen

Martin Luther

Tr. Wedderburn, ed. MDS

All People Who, Thru Jesus' Blood

What: This hymn simply answers the question, "What does 'the righteous/just shall live by faith' mean?" It is found in A Hymn and Prayer-Book of 1795.

Who: This hymn is anonymous, but was likely written by John. C. Kunze.

Changes: I made this hymn inclusive of all people by standard 21st century English usage.

Tune: The meter is LM, and AHPB suggests NACH DIR, O HERR, VERLANGET MICH, but TALLIS CANON would work fine.

All people who, thru Jesus' blood,

Are justified before their God

From condemnation are set free,

Enjoy the Gospel liberty.

By faith they live and walk and move,

By faith they serve and humbly love

Their God, and still with fervent mind

By faith they serve all humankind.

This happy state they cannot claim

From nature, nor in their own name;

The Law doth not this bliss impart,

But Christ conveys it to their hearts.

The justified in peace shall live

When all their heart to God they give;

Their fellowship is now begun

Both with the Father and the Son.

But soon the angel's trump will sound;

The justified with glory crowned

Shall from their dusty graves arise

And life eternal realize.

John C. Kunze?, alt.

O Jesus Christ, True Light of God

What: This hymn is, I think, an translation by a Reverend John C. Kunze and is found in the very first English Lutheran hymnal, published in 1795 in New York. The full title of the book is "A Hymn and Prayer-Book for the Use of Such Lutheran Churches as Use the English Language." The book is quite a gem for a few reasons, including this hymn.
The translation in common use today is O Christ, Our True and Only Light.
Who: Johann Heermann was a great Lutheran hymnwriter in the 1600's. His best-known hymn is "Ah, Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken?"
Changes: I only changed "dumb" to "mute."
Tune: the proper tune is O JESU CHRISTE, WAHRES LICHT, LSB 839.

O Jesus Christ, true light of God,

Enlighten such as know Thee not

And bring them unto Thy sheepfold,

Thereby to save their precious soul.

Replenish with Thy ray of grace

The wandering erroneous race

And such who're tempted secretly

To b'lieve that which is treachery.

And what else has eloped from Thee,

That seek with grace and constancy.

All wounded consciences so heal

That they show but for heav'n their zeal.

To all deaf grant an open ear;

The mute an utt'rance without fear;

Freedom to such who would confess

Their faith concerning righteousness.

Beguiléd souls do undeceive;

Bring all back who mean Thee to leave;

Them who are scattered congregate;

Convince those in a doubtful state.

Then, Lord, due praises shall be giv'n,

On earth below, above in heav'n,

By all of Thy redeeméd race,

To Thee for all Thy love and grace.

O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht
Johann Heermann
Tr. John C. Kunze, alt.

To Your Temple, Lord, Draw Near

What: This hymn, redone by yours truly, is based on the events of the Divine Service, from the entrance, to the invocation, to the Scripture readings, to the sermon, to the Creed, to the prayers, to the Lord's Supper, to the exit.
Who: The original was written by the Moravian hymnwriter, James Montgomery.
Changes: Many hymnals have worked to make the original, "To Thy Temple I Repair," sound more natural and have sounder theology. The version here is a compilation of those changes, with a few tweaks of my own. The seventh stanza is mine.
Note: I did not know what to do about the fourth line of stanza one. I wanted to say "Here we receive our Savior's grace," but couldn't fit it in. 'Get,' 'take,' and 'here we hear' did not seem appropriate.
Tune: The meter is 77 77 and the traditional tune is GOTT SEI DANK, LSB 830.

To Your temple, Lord, draw near;

We have come to meet You here.

This earth has no better place:

Here we taste our Savior's grace.

We through Him are reconciled,

We through Him became Your child.

Abba, Father, grant us grace

In Your courts to seek Your face.

While we hearken to Your Law,

Fill our souls with humble awe

Till Your Gospel brings to us

Life and light and lordliness.

While Your prophet here proclaims

Peace and pardon in Your Name,

Thru his voice, by faith may we

Hear You speaking lovingly.

While Your glorious praise is sung,

Touch our lips, unloose our tung

So our gladsome souls may bless

Christ the Lord, our Righteousness.

While the prayers of saints ascend,

God of love, to them attend.

Hear us, for Your Spirit pleads;

Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

Jesus, Human yet Divine,

Here You come in bread and wine,

In this blessed Sacrament

We in peace and joy are sent.

From Your house when we return,

May our hearts within us burn,

And at ev'ning let us say,

"We have walked with God today."

St. 1-6,8 James Montgomery, ed MDS
St. 7 MDS

The Facebook Hymn

What: I am going to quote another translation of this hymn in my sermon this Sunday, and I thought I might post this paraphrase of it.
Who: Thomas Hansen King is like the Scandinavian Isaac Watts, in that he wrote many, many hymns.
Changes: This is my up-to-date edition of the hymn. I am quite confident that it is this version that will be found in all Lutheran hymnals to come. :)
Tune: The meter is 87 87 77 88, and LSB 422 sets another translation of this hymn to DER AM KREUZ.

Post Your picture, pure and holy,

On my facebook, Savior great;

So that nothing, high or lowly,

Your blest image can delete.

Make the name below it be:

Jesus, crucified for me,

Is my life, my hope's foundation,

And my brightness and salvation!

Skriv dig, Jesu, paa mit Hjerte
Thomas Hansen Kingo
Tr. Jens Christian Aaberg, alt. MDS

God Made a Perfect Paradise

What: There is something about Holy Trinity Sunday and firsts for this blog. Last Trinity, I put forth my first translation. This Trinity, I'm putting forth my first original, based on John 3.
Note: For Holy Trinity Sunday, stanzas 3 or 6 can be left out. For Roodmas (Holy Cross Day), stanzas 1-2 and/or 7 can be left out. 
This hymn is not great, so suggestions are most welcome.
Tune: The hymn is written in Common Meter. CONSOLATION, LSB 342, would work well.

God made a perfect paradise,

Yet Eve and Adam sinned.

This great disease infected all:

One must be born again.

This second birth is from above,

Of water, Spirit, Word,

Into the Name of Jesus Christ,

Both Son of Man and Lord.

Like Moses lifted up the snake,

Man's Son is lifted high,

That all believers in the Lord

May live and never die.

For this is how God loved the world:

He gave His only Son,

That they should perish not, but live,

Who trust in Him alone.

God sent His Son into the world

Not to condemn but save;

And thru His Name we are made whole

In the baptismal wave.

Now when, in Christ, we do the truth,

We come into the light,

So all the world may clearly see

The Father's glory bright.

O Holy Spirit, grant us grace

To show our neighborhood

The life and health and love God gave

Upon the Holy Rood.

May God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Holy Ghost

Be prais'd now and forevermore

By people coast to coast.

MDS, 2012

Come, Holy Ghost, Blessed Lord

What: This is a Reformation-era translation of Martin Luther's Pentecost Hymn, Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. Miss Catherine Winkworth's "Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord" is the more familiar translation, found in LSB 497.

Who: Miles Coverdale completed William Tyndale's Old Testament and published the first-ever English translation of the Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew, entitled the Matthew's Bible. It is Coverdale's translation of the Psalms that was in the Anglican Church's Book of Common Prayer until the 20th century. He also translated this hymn.

Note: 'Thole' means to suffer or undergo. It is related to the word 'tolerate.' "Lore venomous" is a poetic way of saying dangerous/false doctrine.

Changes: Even Coverdale acknowledged his translation was rough. I have tried to smoothen it out as best as I could, but it could still use some amending.

Tune: KOMM HEILIGER GEIST, LSB 497.

Come, Holy Ghost, blessed Lord,

Fulfill our hearts, now, with Thy grace.

And make our minds of one accord,

With love kindle them in each place.

Thou, Lord, forgivest our trespass

And call'st the folk of each country

To the right faith and trust of (Thy) grace

That they may give Thee thanks and sing to Thee.

Alleluia, alleluia!

O holy Light, principal,

The Word of Life show unto us;

And cause us to know God o'er all

For our own Father most gracious.

Lord, keep from us lore venomous

That we may follow none but Christ.

He is the truth; His Word says thus;

Cause us to set in Him alone our trust.

Alleluia, alleluia!

O holy Fire, comfort sweet,

Fill our hearts with faith and boldness,

T'abide by Thee in cold and heat;

Content to thole for righteousness.

O Lord, give strength for our weakness,

And send us help in ev'ry hour,

That we may beat all wickedness,

And bring this old Adam under Thy pow'r.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Komm, Heiliger Geist
Martin Luther
Tr. Miles Coverdale, ed. MDS

See God to Heaven Upfaring

What: This Ascension hymn has been in LCMS hymnals before. In TLH, it was Englished by Frances E Cox as "Lo, God to Heaven Ascendeth." Then, in Worship Supplement (1969), it was Englished by Martin L. Seltz as "See God to Heaven Ascending." Also, a W.J. Blew Englished it as "While Up to Heaven God Goeth" in 1846. I translated this hymn anew, but I have heavily depended on these three translations, so its almost a composite translation.
Who: Gottfried Wilhelm Sacer was a (Lutheran?) pastor in the 1600's.
Note: Bach included a setting of the last stanza in his Ascension Oratorio.
Tune: The meter is 76 76 67 76. TLH has   (LSB 354), which is the tune that I worked with. WS had ZEUCH EIN ZU DEINEN TOREN (TLH 228).

See God to heav'n upfaring

In triumph from the earth,

With horns and trumpets blaring,

All jubilant with mirth.

Sing praise to God the Lord;

Sing praise with exultation,

To Christ the King of nations,

The Lord of Hosts adored!

To greet the Lord ascending,

The heavens laugh with glee;

And, to their King attending,

The saints, whom He set free,

With myriad angels come,

With seraphs sweetly singing,

And cherub voices ringing,

They welcome YHWH home.

We know the way ascending

To our exalted Head;

We know the stairway wending

To heaven where He sped.

Our Healer goes before;

He will not here forsake us,

But to His throne He'll take us,

And open wide the door.

Our minds to heav'n are wending,

Where He prepares our place.

Our walk on earth is ending,

There to adore His grace.

Lift up your heart and soul!

Where Jesus Christ has entered,

There let your hopes be centered;

Press onward t'ward the goal. 

Let us to heav'n be springing

With humble hearts ascend.

Let us likewise be singing:

We seek You, Jesus, Friend,

You, God's annointed Son,

Our Life and Way to heaven,

To Whom all might is given,

To You our Head's true Crown.

When will that day be dawning,

When come that blessed time,

That Christ will come that morning

In majesty sublime?

Oh, quickly come and cheer

Our souls the Healer meeting,

His second coming greeting;

Sweet Day of days, appear!

Gott fähret auf gen Himmel

Gottfried Wilhelm Sacer

Tr. MDS