Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook
— Hymn Texts and Tunes —
(TUNES ARE IN ITALIC CAPITAL LETTERS.)
Give praise to God our King ◊ 58
Glorious things of thee are spoken ◊ 214
THIS hymn appeared in Newton’s Olney Hymns, First Book, 1779. It contained five stanzas and the following title attached, Zion, or the City of God. The hymn is based upon the 87th Psalm: “Glorious things are spoken of thee, thou city of God” (Psalm 87:3). In The Lutheran Hymnary the third stanza of the original is omitted. This hymn is considered one of the best in the English language. In many hymnals it has been abbreviated and revised in various ways. R. Bingham has translated it into Latin: “Dicta de te sunt miranda.” [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Glory be to God the Father ◊ 410
Horatius Bonar first published this hymn of praise in his Hymns of Faith and Hope, third series, 1866. It calls to mind the joyfui praise in Rev. 1: 5, 6: “Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father: to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Glory be to Jesus ◊ 283
Viva! Viva! Gesù! che per mio bene
Tutto il sangue verso dalle sue vene.
Il sangue di Gesù fu la mia vita;
Benedetta la Sua bontà infinita.
Questo sangue in eterno sia lodato,
Che dall’ inferno il mondo ha riscattato.
D’Abele il sangue gridava venedetta.
Quel di Gesù per noi perdono aspetta.
Se di Gesù si esalta il divin sangue,
Tripudia il ciel, trema l’abisso e langue.
Diciamo dunque insiem con energia
Al sangue di Gesù gloria si dia. Amen.
The Italian author of this hymn is unknown, though it has been aseribed to St. Alfonso Liguori. It is first found in an Italian collection, Raccolta di Orazioni, etc., attributed to an Italian priest called Galli, who died in 1845; but as Pope Pius VII (1800–1823) already granted indulgences of 100 days “to all the faithful who say or sing” this hymn, its origin is commonly placed into the 18th century.
The translation is by Edward Caswall. It was publishod in his Hymns for the Use of the Birmingham Oratory, 1857, in nine stanzas. The stanzas omitted above are four, five, and seven. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Go to dark Gethsemane ◊ 284
OF this favorite Passion hymn Montgomery has provided two different redactions. The first was printed 1820 in Cotterill’s Selection, and bears the title: The Last Sufferings of Christ. The second appeared 1825 in the author’s Christian Psalmist, under the title: Christ, Our Example in Suffering. Both versions are extensively used, but the second, which appears in The Lutheran Hymnary, is found in almost twice as many hymn books as the first. The Norwegian translation, found in Landstad’s Hymn Book, was rendered by Grundtvig and appeared in his Sang-Værk til den danske Kirke, 1837. This is a free rendering of the first version of the original.
“A few years ago,” a traveler relates, “during a visit in Jerusalem, on Thursday evening of Holy Week, we went out to the Garden of Gethsemane upon the Mount of Olives, where our Lord and Savior during that night ‘trod the winepress alone’ (Is. 63:3). We proceeded up the Mount of Olives and seated ourselves upon a rock, from which point we gained a good view of the Garden. It was a clear, moonlit evening. The old olive trees cast their shadows upon the holy place. Deep silence reigned. By the moonlight we read various passages concerning: ‘the Lamb of God which beareth the sin of the world,’ and ‘the bloody sweat of Jesus.’ Finally, we sang the hymn: ‘Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye who feel the tempter’s power’” (James King in Anglican Hymnology). (For biography of Montgomery, see Vol. I, No. 65.) [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
God bless our native land ◊ 602
Dr. Julian, in his Dictionary of Hymnology, has a long discussion on the origin of this American hymn and its English counterpart, “God save the King.” Space will not permit us to enter upon a detailed discussion of it. May it suffice to mention that the American version seems to have its beginning with the hymn of Charles Timothy Brooks, who as student of divinity at Cambridge, in 1834, wrote:
God bless our native land!
Firm may she ever stand
Through storm and night!
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Father Eternal, save
Us by Thy might!
Lo, our hearts’ prayers arise
Into the upper skies,
Regions of light.
He who hath heard each sigh,
Watches each weeping eye:
He is forever nigh,
Venger of Right!
This was a rather free translation of the patriotic song for Saxony, written by the German song-writer Siegfried August Mahlmann (1771–1826), published in G. W. Fink’s Musikalischer Hausschatz, etc., 1842, reading:
God loved the world so that He gave ◊ 403
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt,
Dass er uns seinen Sohn hergibt,
Dass, wer ihm traut und glaubt allein,
Kann und soll ewig selig sein.
Der Glaubenserund ist Jesus Christ,
Der für uns selbst Mensch worden ist.
Wer seinem Mittler fest vertraut,
Der bleibt auf diesen Grund gebaut.
Dein Gott will nicht des Sünders Tod,
Sein Sohn hilft uns aus aller Not,
Der Heil’ge Geist lehrt dich durchs Wort,
Dass du wirst selig hier und dort.
Drum sei getrost, weil Gottes Sohn
Die Sünd’ vergibt, der Gnadenthron;
Du bist gerecht durch Christi Blut,
Die Tau’ schenkt dir das höchste Gut.
Bist du krank, kommst du gar in Tod,
So merk dies wohl in aller Not;
Mein Jesus macht die Seel’ gesund,
Das ist der rechte Glaubensgrund.
Ehr’ sei dem Vater und dem Sohn
Samt Heil’gem Geist in einem Thron,
Welch’s ihm auch also sei bereit’t
Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit.
This hymn, by an unknown author, is from the Kirchengesangbuch für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden, St. Louis, where the source is given as Bollhagen Gesangbuch, 1791. We have been unable to trace it further.
The translation is by August Crull, slightly altered, in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1912.
God loves me dearly ◊ 175
God moves in a mysterious way ◊ 434
JESUS answered and said unto him (Peter), What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter” (John 13:7). This hymn was composed in 1773 or in the beginning of 1774, while the poet suffered severely from an attack of melancholy brought on by brooding over religious matters. In 1773 Cowper passed through a period of insanity, during which he was beset by a strong desire to end his life by drowning in the river Ouse. Finally he made an attempt, but lost his way and did not find the place which he had selected for the suicidal act. It is commonly accepted that he wrote this famous hymn upon returning from this expedition, realizing how wondrously his plans had been forestalled by a merciful Providence. Later hymnologists have, however, doubted the truth of this story. Julian asserts that Cowper either wrote this hymn in 1773, when the dread disease began to darken his mind, or rather in April, 1774, as he was being restored to health. For according to Southey, it was at this time that he began to write “lines descriptive of his unhappy state.” The editors of the historical edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern also claim that there is no ground for the assertion that the hymn was written immediately after “attempted suicide,” but that it was composed while the author was suffering seriously from melancholy. This hymn was Cowper’s last contribution to The Olney Hymns, where it appeared in the part bearing the title Conflict, and the hymn has the superscription: Light shining out of Darkness. The hymn writer Montgomery treasured this hymn very highly, as may be seen from the following statement: “It is a lyric of high tone and character and rendered awfully interesting by the circumstances under which it was written—in the twilight of departing reason.” It has won great popularity throughout the English speaking world and has been rendered into many languages. There are two versions in Latin, one by R. gingham, 1871, “Secretis miranda viis opera numen,” and one by Macgill, 1876, “Deus mundum, en, molitur.” It has been rendered into Norwegian by Gustav Jensen in his Forslag til Salmebog for den Norske Kirke (No. 577). His translation is as follows:
Naar Gud vil gjøre underverk, ei støv hans vei forstaar; han rider frem paa storm, og sterk han gjennem havet gaar.
Fra dype grubers dunkle hjem, med visdom aldrig træt, sit lyse raad han virker frem, til det han vil er sket.
I bange barn, fat mot panny! Snart i en signings flod skal løses op den tordensky, som isner eders blod.
Døm ikke Gud med svake sans, men tro ham alting til! Bak mørkets slør med solens glans hans naade lyser mild.
Slet intet ser et vantro folk, og altid tar de fell; Gud er sin naades egen tolk, snart faar du se hans segl.
The fifth verse of the original has been omitted. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
God of mercy, God of grace ◊ 582
Godfrey Thring wrote this hyrnn in 1877 as an offertory hymn. It appeared in his Collection, 1880. It was included in his Church of England Hymn-Book 1882, headed Luke 10:36, 37: “Which, now, of these three was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?” [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
God of the prophets ◊ 501
This hymn was written by Denis Wortman in 1884, the year of the centennial of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, of which he was a graduate (1860). It was entitled “Prayer for Young Ministers.” According to Dr. W. C. Covert there were originally seven stanzas. We have been able to find only six. The omitted sixth stanza reads:
6. O mighty age of prophet-kings, return!
O truth, O faith, enrich our urgent time!
Lord Jesus Christ, again with us sojourn:
A weary world awaits Thy reign sublime.
[Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
God rest you merry, gentlemen ◊ 126
God the Father, be our stay ◊ 18
Gott der Vater wohn’ uns bei
Und lass’ uns nicht verderben,
Mach’ uns aller Sünden frei
Und helf’ uns selig sterben!
Vor dem Teufel uns bewahr’,
Halt uns bei festem Glauben
Und auf dich lass uns bauen,
Aus Herzensgrund vertrauen,
Dir uns lassen ganz und gar,
Mit allen rechten Christen
Entfliehen Teufels Listen,
Mit Waffen Gott’s uns fristen!
Amen, Amen, das sei wahr,
So singen wir: Halleluja!
Jesus Christus wohn’ uns bei usw.
Heilig Geist, der wohn’ uns bei usw.
This is a medieval litany, revised by Martin Luther. Its origin is fifteenth century or earlier. Wackernugel gives a version of 1422, in 15 lines, beginning “Sanctus Petrus won uns bey.” In some parts of Germany it was used “in time of Processions or St. Mark’s Day and in Rogation Week.” Luther recast portions of the earlier version, removed the invocations to Mary, the Angels, and the saints, and pubiished his version in Johann Walther’s Gegstliche gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg, 1524.
The translation is an altered form of that by Richard Massie in his Martin Luther’s Spiritual Songs, London, 1854. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
God’s own child, I gladly say it ◊ 246
God’s Word is our great heritage ◊ 583
Guds Ord det er vort Arvegods,
Det skal vort Afkoms være;
Gud giv os i vor Grav den Ros,
Vi holdt det høit i Ære!
Det er vor Hjælp i Nød,
Vor Trøst i Liv og Død;
O Gud, ihvor det gaar,
Lad dog, mens Verden staar,
Det i vor Æt nedarves!
This is the fifth stanza of Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig’s Danish version of Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress.” It was first published in Salmer ved Jubelfesten, 1817. Later it was given as a separate hymn in Danish and Norwegian hymnals. It is used on festival occasions and as a closing stanza.
The translation is by Ole G. Belsheim, 1909, and appeared in The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
IN the collection of hymns, Salmer ved Jubelfesten, 1817, Grundtvig also published his “free Danish version” of Luther’s “Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott” (A mighty fortress is our God), which contained four stanzas. Grundtvig added a fifth stanza of his own. This present stanza has, in later Norwegian and Danish hymnals, been given a place as a separate hymn. It is used as the closing hymn of the service and at church festivals. (For notes on Grundtvig see No. 49.) The English version in The Lutheran Hymnary is by O. G. Belsheim, 1909. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
God, my Lord, my Strength ◊ 204
God, we praise You ◊ 42
God, who madest earth and heaven ◊ 77
Gott des Himmels und der Erden,
Vater, Sohn und Heil’ger Geist,
Der es Tag und Nacht lässt werden,
Sonn’ und Mond uns scheinen heisst,
Dessen starke Hand die Welt
Und was drinnen ist, erhält,
Gott, ich danke dir von Herzen,
Dass du mich in dieser Nacht
Vor Gefahr, Angst, Not und Schmerzen
Hast behütet und bewacht,
Dass des bösen Feindes List
Mein nicht machtig worden ist.
Lass die Nacht auch meiner Sünden
Jetzt mit dieser Nacht vergehn!
O Herr Jesu, lass mich finden
Deine Wunden offen stehn,
Da alleine Hilf’ und Rat
Ist für meine Missetat!
Hilf, dass ich mit diesem Morgen
Geistlich auferstehen mag
Und für meine Seele sorgen,
Dass, wenn nun dein grosser Tag
Uns erscheint und dein Gericht,
Ich davor erschrecke nicht.
Führe mich, o Herr, und leite
Meinen Gang nach deinem Wort!
Sei und bleibe du auch heute
Mein Beschützer und mein Hort!
Nirgends als von dir allein
Kann ich recht bewahret sein.
Meinen Leib und meine Seele
Samt den Sinnen und Verstand,
Grosser Gott, ich dir befehle
Unter deine starke Hand.
Herr, mein Schild, mein’ Ehr’ und Ruhm,
Nimm mich auf, dein Eigentum!
THIS morning hymn was published in 1643 in the fifth part of Albert’s Arien etliche theils geistliche, theils weltliche zur Andacht, guten Sitten, keuscher Liebe und Ehrenlust dienende Lieder, which appeared in eight parts from 1638 to 1650, and later in one collection, Königsberg, 1652. Stanzas 3, 4, and 5 are used very extensively in Germany. This hymn has not been included in any of the ranking Norwegian hymn books. In the Evangelisk Christelige Salmebog it has been altered to the extent that the spirit of the hymn has been entirely changed. Six very good English versions are in use. The translation found in The Lutheran Hymnary was rendered by Miss Winkworth for her Lyra Germanica, 1855. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd ◊ 367
This hymn has an unusual origin. Jane E. Leeson, in 1842, published the following three hymns in her Hymns and Scenes of Childhood: “Shepherd, in Thy Bosom Folded,” “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep,” and “Infant Sorrow, Infant Weakness.” From these, with a few new lines, this hymn was constructed. It was published by John Whittemore in his Baptist Supplement to All Hymn-Books, 1850. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord ◊ 584
Str.1 Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich, Herr Gott, zu unsern Zeiten. Es ist doch ja kein andrer nicht, der für uns könnte streiten, denn du, unser Gott, alleine.
Great God, we praise Thy gracious care ◊ 600
The “graces” by J. Cennick have been much altered. W. T. Brooke in Julian: “The two Metrical Graces which have taken the greatest hold on the church throughout the English-speaking countries are those by John Cennick which appeared in his Sacred Hymns for the Children of God in the Days of Their Pilgrimage, London, 1741. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah ◊ 262
Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch
Fi bererin gwael ei wedd,
Nad oes ynof nerth na bywyd,
Fel yn gorwedd yn y bedd:
Hollalluog
Ydyw’r un a’m cwyd i’r lan.
Agor y ffynnonau melus
Sydd yn tarddu o’r Graig i maes;
‘Rhyd yr anial mawr canlyned
Afon iachawdwriaeth grâs:
Rho imi hyny;
Dim i mi ond dy fwynhau.
Ymddiriedaf yn dy allu,
Mawr yw’r gwaith a wnest erioed:
Ti gest angau, ti gest uffern,
Ti gest Satan dan dy droed:
Pen Calfaria,
Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof.
THIS hymn is one of the best by this poet, and appears in many of the leading English hymn books. It was originally written, 1745, in the Welsh language: “Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch.” The original has five stanzas. Peter Williams translated three of the stanzas into English in 1771. W. Williams incorporated the first stanza of this translation into his version and himself rendered three additional stanzas in translation. In 1773 W. Williams published his translation separately under the title: a favourite Hymn sung by Lady Huntingdon’s young Collegians. Printed by the desire of many Christian Friends. Lord, give it Thy blessing! —The hymn was given its present form by John Keble. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hail the day so rich in cheer* ◊ 131
(See: Now hail the day so rich in cheer)
Hail the day that sees Him rise ◊ 388
Charles Wesley first published this hymn in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, in ten stanzas. The cento includes Stanzas 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 10. The omitted stanzas read:
3. Circles round with angel powers,
Their triumphant Lord and ours,
Conqueror over death and sin;
Take the King of Glory in!
7. Master (will we ever say),
Taken from our head today,
See Thy faithful servants, see,
Ever gazing up to Thee.
8. Grant, though parted from our sight
High above yon azure height,
Grant our hearts may thither rise,
Following Thee beyond the skies.
9. Ever upward let us move,
Wafted on the wings of love;
Looking when our Lord shall come,
Longing, gasping, after home.
[Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Hail thee, festival day ◊ 398
Salve festa dies
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed ◊ 103
THIS hymn was written in 1821 for a Christmas program and was sung as a part of a Christmas ode in the congregation of the Moravian Brethren in England. In the month of February, 1822, the hymn was sent in manuscript to George Bennett, who at that time made a missionary journey to the South Sea Islands. In April of the same year James Montgomery delivered a lecture in the Wesleyan chapel in Liverpool and closed his lecture by reciting this hymn. Dr. Adam Clarke, who was present on this occasion, was so impressed by this beautiful poem, that he asked for a copy and had it printed in his commentary upon the seventy-second Psalm. The hymn has found a place in all the leading hymnals of the English speaking world and has been rendered into many languages. This beautiful Messianic hymn is based upon Psalm 72 and is Montgomery’s best psalm-paraphrase. The original has eight stanzas. The Lutheran Hymnary has omitted stanzas 3 and 5. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hail, Thou once despised Jesus! ◊ 270
THE oldest version of this hymn is found in Poetical Tracts, 1757-74, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. In this collection there is a booklet containing 72 pages under the title: A Collection of Hymns addressed to the Holy, Holy, Holy, Triune God in the Person of Jesus, our Mediator and Advocate, London, 1757. In this booklet the hymn has only two stanzas. In M. Madan’s Collection of Psalms and Hymns, 1760, the hymn has been revised and expanded into four stanzas. It is now found in a large number of hymn books throughout the English-speaking world. But it occurs in many different forms, either abbreviated and with the first lines varying, especially for the second or the third stanza, or in the longer form of five stanzas. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hallelujah (See: Alleluia)
Hark the glad sound! ◊ 109
HE hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives” (Luke 4:18; Is. 61:1).
“Hark, the glad sound! the Savior comes,” was written in 1735 and published for the first time in a Scotch hymnal, 1745. The original contains seven stanzas. In The Lutheran Hymnary stanzas 2, 4, and 6 are omitted. In the Scottish Church a revised edition of this hymn has been in extensive use for over one hundred years. Ten years after its publication in Scotland the hymn was published in England in Job Orton’s edition of Hymns of Doddridge, 1755, where the hymn is printed in its original form. Later it has been taken up into all the leading English hymnaries and has been translated into many languages. A Latin version has been rendered by R. Bingham. Lord Selborne says concerning this hymn: “In the whole treasury of church hymns we have none more beautiful, none more powerful and more perfect in form than the spiritual songs by Philip Doddridge.”
The following are the stanzas which have been omitted from The Lutheran Hymnary:
2. On Him the Spirit, largely poured, Exerts its sacred fire, Wisdom and might and zeal and love His holy breast inspire.
4. He comes from thickest films of vice To clear the mental ray, And on the eye-balls of the blind To pour celestial day.
6. His silver trumpets publish loud The jub’lee of the Lord, Our debts are all remitted now, Our heritage restored. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hark the voice of Jesus crying ◊ 191
THIS missionary hymn was written by the Rev. Daniel March. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Stanzes 1, 2, and 4 of this hymn are by Daniel March. The third stanza, by an unknown author, was put in place of March’s second (March’s third is our second), which reads:
If you cannot cross the ocean
And the heathen lands explore,
You can find the heathen nearer,
You can help them at your door;
If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite,
And the least you give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight.
The reason for omitting this stanza is because of the questions raised as to the correctness of the last four lines. No doubt March had the right thought in mind, but his words can be construed to mean just the opposite. The committee received dozens of requests from our people to alter these lines, and many suggestions were sent to us. However, none of these proved satisfactory, and therefore it was decided to drop the stanza altogether.
March was a Congregational pastor in Philadelphia when he wrote this hymn in 1868. He had been asked to preach a sermon to the Philadelphia Christian Association, on October 18, on the text Is.6:8. At a late hour he learned that one of the hymns selected was not suitable. He wrote the hymn in “great haste,” and it was sung from the manuscript. The hymn was first published in The Hymnal of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1878. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding ◊ 96
Vox clara ecce intonat,
Obscura quaeque increpat;
Bellantur eminus somnia,
Ab aether Christus promicat.
Mens iam resurgat torpida,
Quae sorde exstat saucia:
Sidus refulget iam novum,
Ut tollat omne noxium.
E sursum Agnus mittitur
Laxere gratis debitum;
Omnes pro indulgentia
Vocem demus cum lacrimis:
Secundo ut cum fulserit
Mundumque horror cinxerit,
Non pro reatu puniat,
Sea pius nos tunc protegat.
Laus, honor, virtus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito
In sempiterna saecula.
The Latin original of this hymn is of unknown authorship, early tenth century. The translation by Edward Caswall appeared in his Lyra Catholica, 1849, the first line reading: [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
HARK! a thrilling voice in sounding,” is a very old hymn, possibly from the fifth century. It has been ascribed to Ambrose, but not, however, by the Benedictine writers. It is found in manuscripts from the eleventh century in the British Museum and in Cambridge. The hymnologist, G. M. Dreves, has printed one from the tenth century. This hymn is based upon Rom. 13:11 and Luke 21:25. The hymn has appeared in two versions. In the Roman Breviary of 1632 the original text is revised and begins: “En clara vox redarguit.” Our translation, by E. Caswall, in Lyra Catholica, 1849, is based upon this latter version. This translation is found in a large number of hymn books in England and America. There are twenty-four English translations in all. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hark! the herald angels sing ◊ 125
ORIGINALLY this hymn consisted of ten four-lined stanzas and had a somewhat different beginning: “Hark! how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of kings.” It was first published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, and again in a revised form in a new edition of the same work in 1743. In Whitefield’s Collection of 1753 the first line of this hymn has been changed to “Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.” Later on the first six stanzas were combined into three eight-lined stanzas, and the first two lines were added as a refrain. In this form it was taken up in the Book of Common Prayer. This form of the hymn, with a few changes in the text in some editions, has won such universal favor as no other hymn in the English language except “Rock of Ages.” Bingham’s translation into Latin begins with the line: “Audite! tollunt carmina.” [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
He is arisen! Glorious Word! ◊ 348
Han er opstanden! Store Bud!
Min Gud er en forsonet Gud,
Min Himmel er nu aaben!
Min Jesu seierrige Død
Fordømmelsernes Pile brød,
Og knuste Mørkets Vaaben.
Min Trøst!
Ved hans Seier,
Som jeg eier,
Helved bæver;
Han var død, men se, han lever!
This hymn of one stanza by Birgitte K. Boye first appeared in Guldherg’s Hymn Book, 1778. “It is to be sung before the reading of the Gospel from the pulpit, from Easter to Ascension” (Dahle.) The translation is by George T Rygh, 1909, and appeared in The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
To be sung before the reading of the Gospel from the pulpit, from Easter until Ascension Sunday. “Han er opstanden! Store Bud!” was first published in Guldberg’s Hymn Book of 1778. —The translation into English was rendered by G. T. Rygh, 1909. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
He that believes and is baptized ◊ 241
Enhver som tror og bliver døbt,
Han skal vist salig blive,
Thi han ved Jesu Blad er kjøbt,
Som vil sig ham indlive,
Og blandt Guds Børns det hellig’ Tal
Til Himmeriges Æres Val
Med Korsets Blod indskrive.
Vi sukke alle hiertelig,
Og udi Troen sige
Med Hjertens Bøn, enhver for sig:
O Jesu, lad os stige
Ved Daabens kraft i Dyder frem,
Og for os saa ved Troen hjem
Til Ærens evig’ Rige!
HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27).
“The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there” (Psalm 87:6).
These Scripture passages furnish the basis for this hymn. The hymn was first printed in Kingo’s Hymnal Outline, 1689, and was entered as a baptismal hymn in his official Church Hymnal of 1699. It was given a place in Guldberg’s Hymnary in 1778. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
He’s risen, He’s risen! ◊ 350
Erstanden, erstanden ist Jesus Christ,
Es freue sich, was auf Erden ist,
Es jauchze der Himmel mit seinem Heer;
O hüpfet, ihr Berge, und brause, du Meer!
Kyrieleis.
Der Feind triumphierte auf Golgatha.
Die Hölle durchtönte Viktoria,
Denn endlich hatte der Finsternis Macht
Den Fürsten des Lebens ans Kreuz gebracht.
Kyrieleis.
Doch Trotz dir, du Hölle, und Trotz dir, o Welt,
Der Herzog des Heiles behält das Feld.
Kaum waren vergangen der Tage drei,
So war dein Gefangener los und frei.
Kyrieleis.
Wo ist nun dein Stachel, o Todesgestalt?
Wo ist nun dein Sieg, o Höllengewalt?
Wo ist nun, o Sünde, deine Kraft?
Wo sind nun, Gesetz, deine Flüche und Haft?
Kyrieleis.
Der Herr ist erstanden, das Grab ist leer,
Entschlafen ist nun unsrer Sünden Heer;
Nun jauchze alles, was Sünder heisst.
Und preise den Vater, Sohn und Geist.
Kyrieleis.
This cento is from the Easter hymn, in eleven stanzas, by Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther. It is found in the biography of C. F. W. Walther by Martin Günther, 1890, where it is given with the tune, which Walther also composed, and the heading “On the First Easter Day, April 8,1860, on the Ocean.” It was therefore composed on the journey Walther took that year to Germany for recuperation. Stanzas 5 to 9 of the original are omitted.
The rather free translation is by Anna M. Meyer and was first published in the Lutheran Witness, 1937. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Hear us now, our God and Father ◊ 188
Heaven is my home* ◊ 474
(See: I’m but a stranger here)
Holy Father, in Thy mercy ◊ 576
This hymn by Isabella S. Stephenson first appeared in the Supplement to the revised edition of Hymus Ancient and Modern, 1889. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness ◊ 20
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THIS is a beautiful hymn of prayer concerning the gift of grace sent by the Holy Ghost. It first appeared in the third edition of Crüger’s Praxis Pietatis Melica, consisting of 10 eight-lined stanzas. Our version has employed stanzas 1, 3, 4, 9 and 10. Bible references: first stanza: Luke 11:13: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”; second stanza, Isaiah 44:3: “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground! I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon shine offspring”; third stanza, Psalm 51:13: “Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee”; fourth stanza, Ezekiel 36:26-27: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep mine ordinances, and do them”; fifth stanza, Psalm 71:1-9: “In Thee, O Jehovah, do I take refuge: Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and rescue me: Bow down Thine ear unto me, and save me. Be Thou to me a rock of habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; For Thou art my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For Thou art my hope, O Lord Jehovah: Thou art my trust from my youth. By Thee have I been holden up from the womb; Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels: My praise shall be continually of Thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but Thou art my strong refuge. My mouth shall be filled with Thy praise, and with Thy honor all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”
The hymn was used very extensively in Germany. Through J. C. Jacobi’s translation, “O Thou sweetest source of gladness,” 1732, the hymn has become known in England and America, where many centos have been made from it. Our present translation is Toplady’s version following Jacobi’s translation. About 26 translations and centos have been made from this hymn. Dr. Götze, superintendent at Lübeck, has written a little book dealing with this beautiful hymn. A Catholic youth, twenty-one years of age, at his death told his pastor that the tenth stanza (our fifth stanza) had given him more comfort and joy than all the wisdom of the world. This stanza he had rewritten and read it repeatedly with tears in his eyes. The hymn has been translated also into French, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian. Brorson rendered the Danish version of the whole hymn. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Holy Ghost, with light divine ◊ 402
Andrew Reed entitled this hymn “Prayer to the Spirit” and first published it in his Collection, 1817, in four eight-line stanzas. We have not found any modern hymn-book that has the complete hymn. Most of them use the four-line stanza form, and the stanzas range from four to six. One of the omitted parts, belonging after Stanza 5, reads:
Bid my sin and sorrow cease,
Fill me with Thy heavenly peace;
Joy divine I then shall prove,
Light of Truth—and Fire of Love. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Holy God, we praise Thy name ◊ 43
Grosser Gott, wir loben dich,
Herr, wir preisen deine Stärke,
Vor dir beugt die Erde sich
Und bewundert deine Werke.
Wie du warst vor aller Zeit,
So bleibst du in Ewigkeit.
Alles, was dich preisen kann,
Cherubim und Seraphinen,
Stimmen dir ein Loblied an.
Alle Engel, die dir dienen,
Rufen dir in sel’ger Ruh’:
Heilig, heilig, heilig! zu.
Der Apostel heli’ger Chor,
Der Propheten grosse Menge
Schickt zu deinem Thron empor
Neue Lob- und Dankgesänge.
Der Blutzeugen grosse Schar
Lobt und preist dich immerdar.
Sie verehrt den Heil’gen Geist,
Welcher uns mit seinen Lehren
Und mit Troste kräftig speist;
Der, o König aller Ehren,
Der mit dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
Und dem Vater ewig ist.
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Str.1 Großer Gott, wir loben dich; Herr, wir preisen deine Stärke. Vor dir neigt die Erde sich und bewundert deine Werke. Wie du warst vor aller Zeit, so bleibst du in Ewigkeit.
Str.2 Alles, was dich preisen kann, Cherubim und Seraphinen, stimmen dir ein Loblied an, alle Engel, die dir dienen, rufen dir stets ohne Ruh: "Heilig, heilig, heilig!" zu.
Str.3 Heilig, Herr Gott Zebaoth! Heilig, Herr der Himmelsheere! Starker Helfer in der Not! Himmel, Erde, Luft und Meere sind erfüllt von deinem Ruhm; alles ist dein Eigentum.
Str.4 Der Apostel heilger Chor, der Propheten hehre Menge schickt zu deinem Thron empor neue Lob- und Dankgesänge; der Blutzeugen lichte Schar lobt und preist dich immerdar.
Str.5 Dich, Gott Vater auf dem Thron, loben Große, loben Kleine. Deinem eingebornen Sohn singt die heilige Gemeinde, und sie ehrt den Heilgen Geist, der uns seinen Trost erweist.
Str.6 Du, des Vaters ewger Sohn, hast die Menschheit angenommen, bist vom hohen Himmelsthron zu uns auf die Welt gekommen, hast uns Gottes Gnad gebracht, von der Sünd uns frei gemacht.
Str.7 Durch dich steht das Himmelstor allen, welche glauben, offen; du stellst uns dem Vater vor, wenn wir kindlich auf dich hoffen; du wirst kommen zum Gericht, wenn der letzte Tag anbricht.
Str.8 Herr, steh deinen Dienern bei, welche dich in Demut bitten. Kauftest durch dein Blut uns frei, hast den Tod für uns gelitten; nimm uns nach vollbrachtem Lauf zu dir in den Himmel auf.
Str.9 Sieh dein Volk in Gnaden an. Hilf uns, segne, Herr, dein Erbe; leit es auf der rechten Bahn, daß der Feind es nicht verderbe. Führe es durch diese Zeit, nimm es auf in Ewigkeit.
Str.10 Alle Tage wollen wir dich und deinen Namen preisen und zu allen Zeiten dir Ehre, Lob und Dank erweisen. Rett aus Sünden, rett aus Tod, sei uns gnädig, Herre Gott!
Str.11 Herr, erbarm, erbarme dich. Laß uns deine Güte schauen; deine Treue zeige sich, wie wir fest auf dich vertrauen. Auf dich hoffen wir allein: laß uns nicht verloren sein.
This the very popular German Te Deum “Grosser Gott, wir loben dich,” appeared in eight stanzas in the Allgemeines Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna (undated), c. 1775, together with the tune. Both author and composer are unknown, although some have credited Peter Ritter (1760-1846) with the tune. This is hardly probable, as he was only a boy when it was first published.
The translation is by Clarence A. Walworth, slightly altered. It is dated 1853 in the Evangelical Hymnal, New York, 1880, where it seems to have first appeared. The translation is rather free, and Walworth. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
Holy, holy, holy ◊ 15
THIS is the best known and most popular of Heber’s hymns. It was first printed in Psalms and Hymns f or the Parish Church of Banbury, 1826, and the following year it was entered among the author’s hymns for Trinity Sunday. In some hymnals it is listed as a morning hymn. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
Hosanna, loud hosanna ◊ 279
This hymn by Jeannette Threlfall first appeared in 1873 in her volume of poems Sunshine and Shadow. It has become very popular as a hymn for Palm Sunday or the First Sunday in Advent. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
How beauteous are their feet ◊ 192
HOW beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice: with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 52:7-10).
These words of the prophet form the basis for this hymn. It was written in 1707 and printed first in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, with the title: The Blessedness of Gospel Times j or The Revelation of Christ to Jews and Gentiles. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
How blessed is the little flock ◊ 585
THIS hymn appeared the first time in Harpen, a hymnal published in Christiania, 1829. Bible reference, 2nd stanza, Matthew 25:1-13; John 21:15-17. The English translation is by the Rev. Carl Døving, 1906. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
How blest are they who hear God’s Word ◊ 586
O salig den, Guds Ord har hørt,
Bevaret og tir Nytte ført!
Han daglig Visdom lærte;
Fra Lys til Lys han vandre kan,
Og har i Livets Prøvestand
En Saive for sit Hjerte
Mod al sin Nød og Smerte.
Guds Ord det er min rige Skat,
Min Sol i Sorgens mørke Nat,
Mit Sverd i Troens Krige.
Guds Finger selv i Ordet skrev
Min Barne-Ret, mit Arve-Brev;
Den Skrift skal aldrig svige:
Kom, arv et evigt Rige!
Jeg gik som til et dækket Bord
Idag og huorte Herrens Ord
Og Sjælen sanked Føde.
Gid Troen derved vokse saa,
At Troens Frugt ei savnes maa,
Naar jeg for ham skal møde,
Som tor os alle døde!
This hymn was published by the Norwegian bishop Johan Nordahl Brun in his Evangeliske Sange (Evangelical Hymns) in 1786. Of his hymns the pious bishop stated: “Our divine worship is that garden from which I have gathered my flowers.” This is one of his better hymns and bears witness “to a life of faith, which has its fountain in God Himself and which is nourished by His Word.”
The translation is by Oluf H. Smeby and was published in The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
EVANGELISKE SANGE, published in 1787, contained this hymn written by Bishop Johan Nordahl Brun. It is based upon the last portion of the Gospel lesson for the third Sunday in Lent: “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). The English translation is by Rev. O. H. Smeby. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
How can I thank You, Lord? ◊ 423
Was kann ich doch für Dank,
O Herr, dir dafür sagen,
Dass du mich mit Geduld
So lange Zeit getragen,
Da ich in mancher Sünd’
Und Übertretung lag
Und dich, du frommer Gott,
Erzürnte alle Tag’!
Dass ich nun bin bekehrt,
Hast du allein verrichtet;
Du hast des Satans Reich
Und Werk in mir vernichtet.
Herr, deine Güt’ und Treu’,
Die an die Wolken reicht,
Hat auch mein steinern Herz
Zerbrochen und erweicht.
Selbst konnt’ ich dich zu viel
Beleidigen mit Sünden,
Ich konnte aber nicht
Selbst Gnade wieder finden;
Selbst fallen konnte ich
Und ins Verderben gehn,
Doch konnt’ ich selber nicht
Von meinem Fall aufstehn.
Du hast mich aufgericht’t
Und mir den Weg geweiset,
Den ich nun wandeln soll;
Dafür, Herr, sei gepreiset!
Gott sei gelobt, dass ich
Die alte Sünd’ nun hass’
Und willig, ohne Furcht,
Die toten Werke lass’.
Damit ich aber nicht
Aufs neue wieder falle,
So gib mir deinen Geist,
Dieweil ich hier noch walle,
Der meine Schwachheit stärk’
Und in mir mächtig sei
Und mein Gemüte stets
Zu deinem Dienst erneu’.
Ach leit und führe mich,
Solang ich leb’ auf Erden;
Lass mich nicht ohne dich
Durch mich geführet werden!
Führ’ ich mich ohne dich,
So werd’ ich bald verführt;
Wenn du mich führest selbst,
Tu’ ich, was mir gebührt.
O Gott, du grosser Gott,
O Vater, hör mein Flehen!
O Jesu, Gottes Sohn,
Lass deine Kraft mich sehen!
O werter Heil’ger Geist,
Sei bei mir allezeit,
Dass ich dir diene hier
Und dort in Ewigeit!
This hymn is attributed to David Denicke, although Justus Gesenius is also mentioned. It first appeared, in eight stanzas, in the Hanoverian New Ordentlich Gesangbuch, Braunschweig, 1648, entitled “Thanksgiving and Prayer of a Convert.” Stanza 6 is an altered form of a stanza by Johann Heermann and first appeared as a short prayer in his Devoti Musica Cordis, 1630. The omitted second stanza reads in translation:
2. Lord, Thou hast shown to me
Divine commiseration:
I persevered in sin,
But Thou in great compassion;
I did resist Thee, Lord,
Deferring to repent;
Thou didst defer Thy wrath
And instant punishment.
The translation is an altered form of that by August Crull in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1912. [Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal]
How fair the Church of Christ ◊ 418
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THE hymn is based upon the Epistle lesson for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity (1 Pet. 3:8-15) and appeared for the first time in En ny almindelig Kirkesalmebog, 1699: “…Be ye all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humble-minded: not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:8-9). This hymn was rendered into English by O. T. Sanden, 1908. [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
How firm a foundation ◊ 521
THIS hymn appeared in Rippon’s Selection, 1787, in seven stanzas entitled Exceeding Great and Precious Promises. The authorship of this hymn has been the subject of much enquiry. Rippon’s original signature was “K—.” This “K—” has in later hymn books been extended into “Kirkham,” “Keen,” and “George Keith.” In Fletcher’s Collection, 1822, the “K—” of Rippon is extended into “Kn,” and in the edition of 1835 it is still further extended to “Keen”; and so it remains. In the index of the Names of such Authors of the Hymns as are known, the name “Keen” with the abbreviation “Kn,” is also given. Taking all the facts into account, “we are justified in concluding that the ascription to this hymn must be that of an unknown person of the name of Keen” (J. Julian). [Dahle, Library of Christians Hymns]
How lovely shines the Morning Star ◊ 167
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Voll Gnad’ und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,
Die süsse Wurzel Jesse!
Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,
Mein König und mein Bräutigam,
Hast mir mein Herz besessen,
Lieblich, freundlich,
Schön und herrlich, gross und ehrlich,
Reich von Gaben,