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.

From Deep, O Lord, I Call on Thee (Psalm 130)

Who: This is Martin Luther's great hymnification of Psalm 130, as translated by J. Wedderburn.
Note: This has been translated many times, including by Catherine Winkworth, a version of which is found in LSB 607.
The last two stanzas were melded into one.
Changes: I have altered the translation both for rhymes and meter where possible and left the rest.
Tune: I'm not sure what tune the Wedderburns used, but Luther's AUS TIEFER NOTH is perfect.

From deep, O Lord, I call on Thee,

Lord, hear my invocation,

Oh let Thine ears incline to me

And hear my lamentation:

For if Thou wouldst our sin impute

To us, O Lord, that we commit,

Who would stand Thy accusation?

But Thou art merciful and kind,

And Thou hast promis'd in Thy Writ,

"Those who repent with heart and mind,

Of all their sin to make them quit."

Though I be full of sinfulness,

Yet Thou art full of faithfulness,

And true Thy promise, and perfect.

My hope is steadfast in the Lord,

My soul shall ever on Him trust,

And my belief is in Thy Word,

And all Thy vows from most to least.

My soul on God waits and is bent,

As watchmen would the night were went,

Biding the day to take their rest.

Israel, in God put thy belief,

For He is full of gentleness,

And freedom, goodness, and relief

To Israel from all their distress.

He shall deliver Israel,

And all their sinning shall expell

And clothe them with His righteousness.

Aus Tiefer Noth Schrei ich zu Dir
Martin Luther
tr. John Wedderburn, alt. MDS

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