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.

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.

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.

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

When Sore My Sins Distress Me

Who: Justus Genesius was a 17th century Lutheran theologian who, along with David Denicke, put out an hymnal. This hymn is translated by Emanuel Cronenwett, found in his "Hymns and Poems."
Note: This hymn has already been translated by Catherine Winkworth and an edited version of verses 1-4 can be found in TLH (152) and the rest in the Handbook (scroll down for the appropriate text). See also ELH 276 for the TLH edition.
This might be the only hymn to have the word 'barter.'
Lastly, I've never heard Jesus referred to as a martyr, although I guess He fulfills the meaning.
Changes: I made a few noticeless changes for clarity and one change to better match the meter.
Tune: The meter is 76 76 876 and the appointed tune is HERR CHRIST, DER EINIG GOTTES SOHN, LSB 402.

When sore my sins distress me,

O Christ, Thou Crucified!

Then let this comfort bless me,

That Thou for me hast died,

And on the agonizing tree

Hast borne the heavy burden

Of my iniquity.

O strange unending barter

That grace here makes to save;

The Lord expires as Martyr:

The Master for the slave!

Th'eternal God Himself doth give,

And dies for His lost creatures,

And bids us culprits live.

What harm can then now do me

My sins are numberless,

Since God with grace doth see me?

My debt and its distress

By Jesus' blood is wiped away,

So I no more need tremble

At hell and its dismay.

Hence with full heart I bless Thee,

Again and yet again,

With thankful praise confess Thee,

My Savior for Thy pain.

Thy cry of agonized distress,

Thy sacrificial dying,

Thy love and faithfulness.

Lord, let Thy Passion move me

To shun each lep'rous stain,

And, oh! Thy death reprove me

When prone to sin again,

So I will ne'er unmindful be

Of what great price it cost Thee,

Dear Lord, to ransom me.

My cross and tribulation

And be it scoff and scorn,

Help, so with resignation

By me it will be borne;

Let me this world deny and flee,

And follow the example

Which Thou hast set for me.

Grant me to do to others

As Thou hast done to me,

And love my fellow-brothers

And serve all willingly,

Void of pretense and self-design,

Impelled in all my actions

By motives such as Thine.

Thy wounds be my assurance

In my last hour, I pray;

And since on this securance

I ground mine only stay,

Believe to Thy merits cleave,

Thy grace, Lord, will accept me

And bid me with Thee live.

Wenn meine Sünd mich kränken
Justus Genesius
tr. E. Cronenwett, alt.

Jesus! Shall Our Motto Be

Who: This New Year's hymn was written by Benjamin Schmolke, the same writer who penned "Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty" and "Dearest Jesus We are Here." Schmolck was called the "second (Paul) Gerhardt," but no one is able to combine such beautiful words with such beautiful theology, and that includes Schmolke.
Note: Today is New Year's Day on the secular calendar and Nameday (Circumcision and Name of Jesus) on the Church Calendar, and Schmolck blends the two themes nicely.
Changes: I've translated the last verse anew, since Cronenwett's translation was both loose and outdated.
Tune: The meter is 78 78 77 and the traditional tune is MEINEN JESUM LASS' ICH NICHT (LSB 609).

Jesus! Shall our slogan be,

As the New Year dawns upon us;

Jesus' Name alone will we

As our standard bear before us;

In His gracious realm we stay

As He guides us on His way.

Jesus' Name and Jesus' Word

Shall resound in fullest measure

In our sanctuary heard.

May we tread His courts with pleasure,

So our hearts, through grace anew,

Prove an holy temple too.

So we want to always tread,

And in Jesus' Name confide us;

While this Star guides overhead,

Nothing evil can betide us;

In its light of grace and love

Blessings come from heav'n above.

Jesus' Name will lighten pain,

And in all our ills relieve us,

Losses will be turned to gain,

And to blessings what seem grievous;

Jesus' Name be Sun and Shield,

Here must all our sorrows yield.

Jesus gives our folk His grace,

To our land a mark of kindness.

He, the best part of this place,

Rids our heart of all its blindness.

Jesus is our staff and stay,

He our slogan for alway.

Jesus soll die Losung sein
Benjamin Schmolke
st. 1-4 tr. Emanuel Cronenwett, alt.
st. 5 tr. MDS

Hail Hosanna! David's Son

Who: This Advent hymn was written by B. Schmolke and translated both by Emanuel Cronenwett and Anna Hoppe, both Lutherans. Below is my attempt to harmonize the two in the best possible hymn.
Note: A mien is one's facial expression and was a shortening of the word "demeanor." In stanza 3, spoils has two syllables.
Tune: I believe the associated melody is MEINEM JESUM, LASS ICH NICHT or "Jesus Sinners Doth Receive."

Hail Hosanna! David's Son

Comes to Zion, Come adore Him;

Make for Him an Honor throne;

Raise a thousand arches o'er Him.

Strew the palms His hallowed way.

To His Name due honor pay.

Hail Hosanna! Come, dear Lord;

Come, Thy Zion longs to meet Thee!

All made ready by Thy Word,

Thy redeemed with glee now greet Thee.

At Thy feet we long to bow,

Enter, welcome Savior, now.

Hail Hosanna! Prince of Peace,

Mighty Hero, King victorious!

Thou Who bad'st the battle cease,

Now hast brought us spoils-- glorious.

Lord, Thy justice shall endure,

For Thy realm alone stands sure.

Hail Hosanna! Precious Guest,

Thou hast chosen us forever

Members of Thy kingdom blest.

Let it be our heart's endeavor

To bow down before Thy throne,

Rule in us and rule alone!

Hail Hosanna! Nazarene,

For Your meekness we adore Thee.

Though a servant's humble mien

Would conceal Thine inner glory,

Zion doth still know and own

Thee as God's and David's Son.

Hail Hosanna! Help, good Lord;

Grant us love and grace, we pray Thee.

May we all with one accord

With an upright heart obey Thee.

Thou wilt ev'ry one receive

Who do hear Thee and believe.

Hail Hosanna! Near and far!

Haste, O Blest One, haste to enter!

Oh, delay not, Morning Star:

All our hopes in Thee are centered!

Hail Hosanna! Thou art come!

Sing Hosanna, Christendom!

Hosianna, Davids Sohn, Kommt in Zion eingezogen
Benjamin Schmolke
st. 1-4,7 tr. Anna Hoppe, alt.
st. 5-6 tr. E. Cronenwett, alt.

Full Athwart the Gulf Infernal

Who: this is another original hymn by Emanuel Cronenwett in his "Hymns and Poems" of 1926. He put this hymn in the Justification section and gave it the heading "No (one) cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
Changes: I have changed but one word to account for modern pronunciation, everything else is left as is, since this hymn's poetry thrives on textual flavor.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 D and while there are quite a few tunes in LSB for this meter, the only one I believe supports the hymn's character is CENTRAL, LSB 479.

Full athwart the gulf infernal-

Sin 'twixt God and man had riv'n,

Grace has arched the Rock Eternal

Spanning ages, earth and heav'n.

Deep as woe this Arch is founded,

Under-reaching all our sin:

In the depths of Mercy grounded-

Vast as broadest wants of men.

God, the Son, assumed our nature-

Spotlessly of virgin born,

Bridged the chasm 'twixt the Maker

And humanity forlorn.

Christ, the God-man, stooped to save us

Underneath our sin and death,

And as Victor rose to raise us

To Himself through heav'n-born faith.

Strong-convictions? These may leave us,

Self-assurance? Vanish quite,

Reason, confidence? Deceive us,

Leave us grope in dismal night.

But the Faith of holy sages

Cheers the church with steadfast ray,

Cleaves to Christ, the Rock of Ages,

And His Word- as stable Stay.

Mercy paved this Way for mortals,

True and sure it leads to bliss;

Else, alas!, once at death's portals

Yawn but depths of the abyss!

None can come to God, the Father,

Save by Thee, the risen Lord;

Advocate and Mediator,

Be Thou evermore adored!

Emanuel Cronenwett, 1877, alt.

Unless Someone Is Born Again

Who: One of the cool things about going to the Seminary is their library, which has a book called "Hymns and Poems" by Emanuel Cronenwett, who was a somewhat early Lutheran (1841-1931) of the Ohio Synod, which is now a part of the ELCA. There are many translations and many originals in this book, including the following.
Changes: I've updated the text a little.
Note: Since the hymn ends at an odd place, one might want to close with stanza 2 of LSB 601. Here I give, as the last stanza, the original (uncopyrighted) translation by George A.T. Rygh of Kingo's famous hymn.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 887, and I propose "Es ist das Heil" as the melody, which is found in LSB 601.

Unless someone is born again

Of water and the Spirit,

They cannot- being dead in sin-

The kingdom, life inherit;

But God be praised, for thus says Christ,

"All who believe and are baptized-

Shall of a certainty be saved."

Here water and the Word are joined,

As means, command, and promise;

Conditioned by the outward sign,

The Spirit comes upon us.

Our body with the wash is laved,

While faith believes the might that saves,

And trusts the Lord's assurance.

It is not simply water, then,

With which we are anointed,

But water with His Word- Amen!-

By Triune God appointed.

The Word makes this a quick'ning flood,

And adds the grace of Jesus' blood,

Which kills and yet enlivens us.

This water is a means of grace,

A giving of salvation,

An earnest of the Father's face,

Bent kindly on all nations;

For all a cleansing pool, in truth, 

The fount of everlasting youth,

Of which are born God's children.

Rich, golden, costly font of life,

Pure grace pour from our Savior,

Blest covenant with healing rife,

Seal of the Father's favor;

In you our sins are washed away,

And we, enrobed in Jesus, may

With glee await His coming.

(With one accord, O God, we pray:

Grant us Thy Holy Spirit;

Look Thou on our infirmity

Through Jesus’ blood and merit.

Grant us to grow in grace each day

That by this sacrament we

Eternal life inherit.)

st. 1-5 Emanuel Cronenwett (1871), alt. 
(st. 6 Thomas H. Kingo, tr. George A.T. Rygh)