Showing posts with label zinzendorf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zinzendorf. Show all posts

Saturday, August 31, 2013

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

Thursday, August 11, 2011

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

Search This Blog