Sunday, December 25, 2022

"O Wunder groß! Marien" (#68)

German text in the Gesangbuch:
O Wunder groß!
Mariens Schoß
hat heut das Heil umgeben,
den großen Held,
der alles erhält,
der Menschen Trost und Leben.
O Wunderfreud!
Gott selbst wird heut
ein wahrer Mensch empfangen;
Vernunft, Verstand
muß Gottes Hand
ergeben sich gefangen.

Nun bin ich sein,
mein Gott ist mein,
mein Gott ist selbst Mensch worden;
mein Fleisch und Blut,
mein höchstes Gut
schenkt mir des Himmels Orden.
Gott Lob, der mich
so väterlich
erquickt, der mir gegeben
durch seinen Sohn
den Gnadenthron,
da ich kann ewig leben.

Dr. J. Olearius, 1671.
My prose translation:
O great wonder!
Mary's womb
Has to-day enclosed salvation,
The great Champion,
Who preserves everything,
The Comfort and Life of men.
O wonderful joy!
To-day God Himself will
Welcome a true man;
Reason, intellect
Must by God's hand
Be made captive.

Now I am His;
My God is mine;
My God Himself is become man;
My flesh and blood,
My highest good
Gives to me the decoration of Heaven.
To God [be] praise, Who
Revives me so fatherly,
Who has given to me
By His Son
The throne of mercy,
Where I can live eternally.

Dr. J. Olearius, 1671.
As far as I can tell, this hymn isn't in The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, or The Lutheran Service Book.  According to the Gesangbuch, the text is sung to the tune "O Herre Gott, dein göttlich [Wort]."  Here's the arrangement from TLH:


And here's the arrangement from Telemann's Fast allgemeines Evangelisch-Musicalisches Lieder-Buch:

Sunday, December 18, 2022

"Laßt uns mit Ernst betr." (#67)

German text in the Gesangbuch:
Laßt uns mit Ernst betrachten
den Grund der Seligkeit,
und überaus groß achten
den, der uns hat befreit
von Sünden, Tod und Höllen,
der sterbend auch zu fällen
den Satan war bereit.

Der Jesus ward genennet,
als er empfangen ist,
der wird von uns bekennet,
daß er sei Jesus Christ,
der uns macht frei von Sünden
und läßt die Seel empfinden
viel Trost zu jeder Frist.

Er sollte Christus heißen,
der Heiland aller Welt,
und Satans Reich zerreißen
bald als ein tapfrer Held,
das Höllenschloß zerstören,
dadurch den Himmel mehren,
und thun, was ihm gefällt.

Es sollte Jesus wehren
der Sünd und Missethat,
Gerechtigkeit bescheren
und, als des Vaters Rath,
im Sieg den Tod verschlingen,
auch alles wiederbringen,
was man verloren hatt'.

Von Gott ist ihm gegeben
der Scepter in die Hand,
sein Königreich darneben,
daß er in solchem Stand
uns geistlich soll regieren
und durch sein Leiden führen
ins wahre Freudenland.

Er ist von Gott erkoren
zum Hohenpriesterthum;
er selbst hat ihm geschworen,
daß er mit großen Ruhm
ein solches Amt bedienen
und ewiglich soll grünen
als Sarons schönste Blum.

Er wird auch Herr genennet,
dem alles unterthan,
wodurch man frei bekennet,
daß er ohn eiteln Wahn
auch Gott sei nach dem Wesen,
durch den wir blos genesen
in dieser Unglücksbahn.

Muß doch die Schrift bezeugen,
daß er Jehova heißt,
dem alle Knie sich beugen,
den alle Welt hochpreist,
ja, dem von allen Zungen
wird Ehr und Dank gesungen,
so weit die Sonne reist.

Sein Stuhl muß ewig dauern,
sein Scepter stehet fest,
samt Sions starken Mauern;
er ist aufs allerbest
mit Freudenöl gezieret,
hoch ist er aufgeführet,
der nicht sein Volk verläßt.

Ist Gott nun offenbaret
im Fleisch, so gläuben wir,
daß der so uns bewahret
und segnet für und für,
sei Gott und Mensch zu nennen;
es lässet sich nicht trennen
der Gott und Mensch allhier.

Durch Jesum ist bereitet
die ganze Welt, er hat
den Himmel ausgebreitet,
es ist durch seinen Rath
der Engel Heer erschaffen,
ein Heer, das ohne Waffen
oft große Wunder that.

Er, Jesus, kann erwecken
die Todten kräftiglich;
er weiß ein Ziel zu stecken
dem starken Wütherich;
er prüfet Herz und Nieren,
will in den Himmel führen,
die selbst verleugnen sich.

Laßt uns zusammentreten,
des Allerhöchsten Sohn
in Demuth anzubeten,
denn ihm ist ja die Kron
der Ehr und Macht gegeben.
Gib, Herr, nach diesem Leben
auch uns den Gnadenlohn.

Johann Rist, 1656.
My prose translation:
Let us consider with earnestness
The foundation of salvation
And extremely greatly respect
The one Who has freed us
From sins, death, and hell,
Who, dying, was even prepared
To cut down Satan.

He was called Jesus,
As He is received,
Who will be known by us,
That He would be Jesus Christ
Who makes us free from sins
And lets the soul feel
Much comfort at every time.

He should be called Christ,
The Savior of all the world,
And tear Satan's kingdom to pieces,
Soon as a brave champion
Destroy the castle of hell,
That way increasing Heaven
And doing what pleases Him.

Jesus should resist
Sin and misdeed,
Give justive
And, according to the Father's advice,
Devour death in victory,
Also to bring back everything
That one had lost.

The scepter is given by God
Into His hand,
His kingdom besides,
That He in such a position
Should reign over us spiritually
And by His suffering lead [us]
Into the true land of joy.

He is chosen by God
For the high priesthood;
he Himself has sworn to Him
That with great glory
He should serve such an office
And eternally flourish
As Sharon's most beautiful rose.

He will also be called Lord
To Whom everything is subjected,
Through Whom one freely confesses
That He without vain delusion
Would even be God according to His nature,
Through Whom we just recover
In this path of disaster.

Yet the Scripture must testify
That He is called Jehovah,
To Whom all knees bend,
Whom all the world highly priases,
Yes, to Whom from all tongues
Will honor and thanks be sung,
As far as the sun travels.

His throne must last eternally;
His scepter stands firmly,
Along with Zion's strong walls;
To the very best He is
Anointed with oil of joy;
He is led up high,
Who does not leave His people.

God is now manifested
In the flesh, so we believe
That He preserves
And blesses us forever;
He would be called God and man;
God and man do not let themselves
Be separated here.

By Jesus is the whole world
Prepared; He has
Spread out Heaven;
It is by His advice
The army of angels is made,
An army that without weapons
Often does great wonders.

He, Jesus can revive
The dead powerfully;
He knows a goal
To place for the strong tyrant;
He tests heart and kidneys,
Wants to lead into Heaven
Those who deny themselves.

Let us walk together
To worship in humility
The Son of the Most High
For to Him indeed
Is given the crown of honor and might.
After this life, Lord, give
Also to us the reward of mercy.

Johann Rist, 1656.
There's quite a bit in the seventh verse (particularly near the end) and the tenth verse that I'm not too confident about.

The beginning of the sixth verse ("He is chosen by God / For the high priesthood") seems to refer to Hebrews 5.  The title "Saron's schönste Blum" at the end of the verse is literally "Sharon's most beautiful flower," but since it's a reference to Song of Solomon 2:1 where the title is "a rose of Sharon," that's how I translated it:  "Sharon's most beautiful rose."

Part of the eighth verse seems to be patterned on Philippians 2:10-11:  "10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  The last line, though, seems to come from Psalm 113:3:  "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!"

The first couple lines of the ninth verse ("His throne must last eternally; / His scepter stands firmly") bear some resemblance to Hebrews 1:8 (quoting Psalm 45:6):  "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'"

I think the line "He tests heart and kidneys," in the twelfth verse refers to a Hebrew idiom.  The last line of the verse ("Those who deny themselves") seems to come from Matthew 16:24 ("Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'") or Luke 9:23 ("And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'").

As far as I can tell, this hymn isn't present in The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, or The Lutheran Service Book.  According to the Gesangbuch, the text is sung to the tune "Herr Christ, der einig G[ottes Sohn]."  Here's the arrangement from Telemann's Fast allgemeines Evangelisch-Musicalisches Lieder-Buch:

Sunday, December 11, 2022

"Freu dich, du werthe Chr." (#66)

This is the first hymn in a new section:  "Lieder am Fest der Verkündigung Mariä. (Am 25. März.)"  Songs for the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary (on 25 March)

German text in the Gesangbuch:
Freu dich, du werthe Christenheit,
dies ist der Tag des Herren,
der Anfang unsrer Seligkeit,
den Gott zu seinen Ehren
nach seinem Rath
erwählet hat:
o Gott, laß wohl gelingen!
Hilf uns mit Fleiß
zu deinem Preis
ein fröhlichs Lied zu singen.

Gott ist gerecht in seinem Wort,
was er einmal zusaget,
das ist gewiß an allem Ort,
obschon die Welt verzaget;
heut Gottes Sohn,
der Gnadenthron,
zu uns auf Erd gelanget.
O Wunder groß!
Marien Schoß
den großen Gast empfanget.
Sie hört vom Engel Gabriel,
sie sollt Jesum gebären,
der ganzen Welt Immanuel,
den mächtig großen Herren.
Das Jungfräulein,
so keusch und rein,
erschrak ob der Geschichten,
doch glaubt dem Wort,
wie sie gehört,
Gott wird es wohl verrichten.
Wohl uns der gnadenreichen Zeit,
daß wir erlangt den Orden,
daß du, o Gott von Ewigkeit,
bist unser Bruder worden.
Wir bitten dich
demüthliglich:
lehr uns deim Wort vertrauen,
bis wir zugleich
im Himmelreich
das Wunderwerk anschauen.

Petrus Hagius, +1620.
My prose translation:
Rejoice, you dear Christendom;
This is the day of the Lord,
The beginning of our salvation,
Which God to His glory
According to His counsel
Has chosen:
O God, let it well succeed!
Help us with diligence
To Your praise
Sing a cheerful song.

God is righteous in his Word;
What once He promised
That is certain in every place,
Although the world despairs;
To-day God's Son,
The throne of mercy,
Reaches us on earth.
O wonder great!
Mary's womb
Receives the great guest.

She hears from the angel Gabriel
She should give birth to Jesus,
Immanuel for the whole world,
The mighty, great Lord;
The virgin,
So chaste and pure,
Startled on account of the story
Yet believes the words,
As she hears,
God will do it well.

For us, well being of the merciful time
That we attain the decoration
That You, O God of eternity,
Are become our Brother.
We ask You
Humbly:
Teach us to believe Your Word
Until together we
In Heaven
Look at the miracle.

Petrus Hagius, +1620.
There's not too much of a resemblance between the original texts, but "Rejoice, you dear Christendom; / This is the day of the Lord" ended up a bit similar to Psalm 118:24:  "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Startled" may be too weak of a translation for "erschrak" in the third verse, but I felt that "scared" had too much of a negative connotation.

I'm not too confident in my translation of the first few lines of the fourth verse.  I couldn't really tell what part of speech "Wohl" is.  I translated it as a noun because that seemed to make the most sense in this context, but it can also be an adjective or an adverb (normally, as an adjective or adverb, the word wouldn't be capitalized, but here it starts the line).  Much of the time, I'm not sure how to translate "wohl" anyway.  Of my dictionaries suggestions for "Orden," "decoration" was the best, but I'm not sure that this really fits the context.

As far as I can tell, this hymn isn't in The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, or The Lutheran Service Book.  According to the Gesangbuch, the text is sung to the tune "Durch Adams Fall ist ganz."  Here's the arrangement from Telemann's Fast allgemeines Evangelisch-Musicalisches Lieder-Buch:

Sunday, December 4, 2022

"Mit Fried und Freud ich" (#65)

German text in the Gesangbuch:
Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin
in Gottes Willen,
getrost ist mir mein Herz und Sinn,
sanft und stille,
wie Gott mir verheißen hat;
der Tod ist mein Schlaf worden.

Das macht Christus, wahr Gottessohn,
der treue Heiland,
den du mich, Herr, hast sehen lahn,
und machst bekannt,
daß er sei das Leben und Heil
in Noth und Sterben.

Den hast du allen fürgestellt
mit großen Gnaden,
zu seinem Reich die ganze Welt
heißen laden
durch dein theuer heilsam Wort,
an allem Ort erschollen

Er ist das Heil und selig Licht
für die Heiden,
zu 'rleuchten, die dich kennen nicht,
und zu weiden.
Er ist deins Volks Israel
der Preis, Ehr, Freud und Wonne.

Dr. M. Luther, 1525.
My prose translation:
With peace and joy I go
In God's will;
My heart and mind are comforted,
Gentle and quiet,
As God has promised me;
Death is become my sleep.

Christ, true Son of God does that,
The faithful Savior,
Whom You, Lord, have let (?) me see
And make known
So that He would be life and salvation
In distress and death.

Whom You have put forth (?) for all
With great mercy
To call [and] invite the whole world
To His kingdom
Through Your dear, salutary Word,
Echoed in every place.

He is the salvation and blessed light
For the nations,
To enlighten those who do not know You
And to revel in.
He is the prize, honor, joy, and delight
Of Your people Israel.

Dr. M. Luther, 1525.
I couldn't find a translation for "lahn" in the second verse.  I translated it as "let" based only on the context.  Same for "fürgestellt" in the third verse, which I translated as "put forth."

I had to shuffle some of the lines around in the third verse and the end of the fourth verse (the last two lines) to get a smoother English translation.

This hymn appears as "In Peace and Joy I Now Depart" in The Lutheran Hymnal (#137), Lutheran Worship (#185), and The Lutheran Service Book (#938).  In each hymnal and as the Gesangbuch notes, the text is sung to "its own melody."  Here's the arrangement from TLH: