Catechism
390
L. M.
Lord, grant that we e’er pure retain
The catechismal doctrine plain
As Luther taught the heavenly truth
In simple words to tender youth.
2. That we Thy holy Law may know
And mourn our sin and all its woe
And yet believe in Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.
3. That we on Thee, our Father, call,
Who canst and wilt give help to all;
That as Thy children we may live,
Whom Thou in Baptism didst receive.
4. That, if we fall, we rise again,
Repentingly confess our sin,
And take the Sacrament in faith.—
Amen. God grant a happy death!
L. Helmbold, 1577; M. Loy, tr.
Law
391
8, 8, 8, 7, 4
That man a godly life might live,
God did these Ten Commandments give
By His true servant Moses, high
Upon the Mount Sinai.
Have mercy, Lord!
2. I am thy God and Lord alone,
No other god beside Me own;
Put thy whole confidence in Me
And love Me e’er cordially.
Have mercy, Lord!
3. By idle word and speech profane
Take not My holy name in vain
And praise but that as good and true
Which I Myself say and do.
Have mercy, Lord!
4. Hallow the day which God hath blest
That thou and all thy house may rest;
Keep hand and heart from labor free
That God may so work in thee.
Have mercy, Lord!
5. Give to thy parents honor due,
Be dutiful, and loving too,
And help them when their strength decays,
So shalt thou have length of days.
Have mercy, Lord!
6. In sinful wrath thou shalt not kill,
Nor hate, nor render ill for ill;
Be patient and of gentle mood,
And to thy foe do thou good.
Have mercy, Lord!
7. Be faithful to thy marriage vows,
Thy heart give only to thy spouse;
Thy life keep pure, and lest thou sin,
Use temp’rance and discipline.
Have mercy, Lord!
8. Steal not; all usury abhor
Nor wring their life-blood from the poor,
But open wide thy loving hand
To all the poor in the land.
Have mercy, Lord!
9. Bear not false witness nor belie
Thy neighbor by foul calumny;
Defend his innocence from blame;
With charity hide his shame.
Have mercy, Lord!
10. Thy neighbor’s house desire thou not,
His wife, nor aught that he hath got,
But wish that his such good may be
As thy heart doth wish for thee.
Have mercy, Lord!
11. God these commandments gave, therein
To show thee, child of man, thy sin
And make thee also well perceive
How man unto God should live.
Have mercy, Lord!
12. Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, for we
A Mediator have in Thee.
Our works cannot salvation gain;
They merit but endless pain.
Have mercy, Lord!
Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., a.
392
8, 8, 8, 7, 4
Wilt thou, O man, live happily
And dwell with God eternally?
The Ten Commandments keep, for thus
Our God Himself biddeth us.
Have mercy, Lord!
2. I am thy Lord and God; take heed
Lest other gods do thee mislead.
Thy heart shall trust alone in Me;
Thou shalt My own kingdom be.
Have mercy, Lord!
3. Honor My name in word and deed
And call on Me in time of need.
Hallow the Sabbath that I may
Work in thy heart on that day.
Have mercy, Lord!
4. Obedient always, next to Me,
To father and to mother be.
Kill no man, but to wrath be slow.
Be true to thy marriage vow.
Have mercy, Lord!
5. Steal not nor do thy neighbor wrong
By bearing witness with false tongue.
Thy neighbor’s wife desire thou not
Nor grudge him aught he hath got.
Have mercy, Lord!
Martin Luther, 1525; R. Massie, tr., a.
Creed
393
8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7
We all believe in one true God,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Present Helper in all need,
Praised by all the heavenly host,
By whose mighty power alone
All is made and wrought and done.
2. And we believe in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary’s Son,
Who from heaven above came down
And leads us to heaven’s throne;
By whose blood and death are we
Rescued from all misery.
3. And we confess the Holy Ghost,
Who from both fore’er proceeds;
Who upholds and comforts us
In the midst of fears and needs.
Blest and holy Trinity,
Praise forever be to Thee!
T. Clausnitzer, † 1684.
394
8s 10 l
We all believe in one true God,
Maker of the earth and heaven,
The Father, who to us in love
Hath the claim of children given;
He in soul and body feeds us,
All we want His hand provides us,
Through all snares and perils leads us
Watches that no harm betides us;
He cares for us by day and night,
All things are governed by His might.
2. And we believe in Jesus Christ,
His own Son, our Lord, possessing
An equal Godhead, throne, and might,
Through whom comes the Father’s blessing:
Conceived of the Holy Spirit,
Born of Mary, virgin-mother,
That lost man might life inherit,
Made true man, our Elder Brother,
Was crucified for sinful men,
And raised by God to life again.
3. We in the Holy Ghost believe,
Who sweet grace and comfort giveth
And with the Father and the Son
In eternal glory liveth;
Who the Christian Church doth even
Keep in unity of spirit.
Sins are truly here forgiven
Through the blest Redeemer’s merit.
All flesh shall rise again, and we
Shall live with God eternally. Amen.
Martin Luther, 1525.
Prayer
395
8, 7, 8 l
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,—
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a Friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our Refuge,—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Joseph Scriven, 1855.
396
L. M. 6 l
Our Father, Thou in heaven above,
Who biddest us to dwell in love,
As brothers of one family,
And cry for all we need to Thee:
Teach us to mean the words we say
And from our inmost heart to pray.
2. Thy name be hallowed! Help us, Lord,
To keep in purity Thy Word
And lead according to Thy name
A holy life, untouched by blame.
Let no false teachings do us hurt,
All poor, deluded souls convert.
3. Thy kingdom come! Thine let it be
In time and through eternity!
Oh, let Thy Holy Spirit dwell
With us to rule and guide us well.
From Satan’s mighty power and rage
Preserve Thy Church from age to age.
4. Thy will be done on earth, O Lord,
As where in heaven Thou art adored!
Patience in time of grief bestow,
Obedience in weal and woe;
Our sinful flesh and blood control
That thwart Thy will within the soul.
5. Give us this day our daily bread
And all that for this life we need;
From war and strife be our Defense,
From famine and from pestilence,
That we may live in godly peace,
Unvexed by cares and avarice.
6. Lord, all our trespasses forgive
That they our hearts no more may grieve,
As we forgive their trespasses
Who unto us have done amiss.
Thus let us dwell in charity
And serve each other willingly.
7. Into temptation lead us not;
And when the Foe doth war and plot
Against our souls on every hand,
Then, armed with faith, O may we stand
Against him as a valiant host,
Through comfort of the Holy Ghost.
8. From evil, Lord, deliver us;
The times and days are perilous.
Redeem us from eternal death;
And when we yield our dying breath,
Console us, grant us calm release,
And take our souls to Thee in peace.
9. Amen! that is, So let it be!
Confirm our faith continually
That we may doubt not, but believe
That what we ask we shall receive;
Thus in Thy name and at Thy word
We say: Amen; O hear us, Lord!
Martin Luther, 1539.
397
S. M.
Our heavenly Father, hear
The prayer we offer now;
Thy name be hallowed far and near,
To Thee all nations bow.
2. Thy kingdom come; Thy will
On earth be done in love,
As saints and seraphim fulfil
Thy holy will above.
3. Our daily bread supply
While by Thy word we live;
The guilt of our iniquity
Forgive as we forgive.
4. From dark temptation’s power,
From Satan’s wiles defend;
Deliver in the evil hour
And guide us to the end.
5. Thine shall forever be
Glory and power divine;
The scepter, throne, and majesty
Of heaven and earth are Thine.
James Montgomery, 1825.
398
C. M.
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
2. Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
3. Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
4. Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
5. Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath.
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gate of death,—
He enters heaven with prayer.
6. The saints in prayer appear as one
In word and deed and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
7. Nor prayer is made by man alone,—
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus on th’ eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.
8. O Thou, by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod,—
Lord, teach us how to pray!
James Montgomery, 1818.
399
C. M.
Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet,
For none can perish there.
2. Thy promise is my only plea,
With this I venture nigh;
Thou callest burdened souls to Thee,
And such, O Lord, am I.
3. Bowed down beneath a load of sin,
By Satan sorely pressed,
By wars without and fears within,
I come to Thee for rest.
4. Be Thou my Shield and Hiding-place,
That, sheltered near Thy side,
I may my fierce Accuser face
And tell him Thou hast died.
5. O wondrous Love, to bleed and die,
To bear the cross and shame,
That guilty sinners such as I
Might plead Thy gracious name!
John Newton, 1779.
Baptism
400
9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8
Baptized into Thy name most holy,
O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I claim a place, though weak and lowly,
Among Thy seed, Thy chosen host.
Buried with Christ and dead to sin,
Thy Spirit now shall live within.
2. My loving Father, Thou dost take me
To be henceforth Thy child and heir;
My faithful Savior, Thou dost make me
The fruit of all Thy sorrows share;
Thou, Holy Ghost, wilt comfort me
When darkest clouds around I see.
3. And I have vowed to fear and love Thee
And to obey Thee, Lord, alone;
I felt Thy Holy Spirit move me
And freely pledged myself Thine own,
Renouncing sin to keep the faith
And war with evil unto death.
4. My faithful God, Thou failest never,
Thy covenant surely will abide;
O cast me not away forever
Should I transgress it on my side;
If I have sore my soul defiled,
Yet still forgive, restore Thy child.
5. Yea, all I am and love most dearly,
To Thee I offer new the whole;
O let me make my vows sincerely,
Take full possession of my soul;
Let naught within me, naught I own,
Serve any will but Thine alone.
6. Depart, depart, thou Prince of Darkness!
No more by thee I’ll be enticed.
Mine is indeed a tarnished conscience,
But sprinkled with the blood of Christ.
Away, vain world! O sin, away!
Lo! I renounce you all this day.
7. And never let my purpose falter,
O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
But keep me faithful to Thine altar
Till Thou shalt call me from my post;
So unto Thee I’ll live and die
And praise Thee evermore on high.
J. J. Rambach, † 1735; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
401
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7
To Jordan came our Lord, the Christ,
To do God’s pleasure willing,
And there was by Saint John baptized,
All righteousness fulfilling;
There did He consecrate a bath
To wash away transgression
And quench the bitterness of death
By His own blood and Passion,
He would a new life give us.
2. So hear ye all and well perceive
What God doth call a Baptism
And what a Christian should believe
Who error shuns and schism:
That we should water use the Lord
Declareth is His pleasure,
Not simple water, but the Word
And Spirit without measure;
—
He is the true Baptizer.
3. To show us this, He hath His Word
With signs and symbols given;
On Jordan’s banks was plainly heard
The Father’s voice from heaven:
“This is My well-beloved Son,
In whom My soul delighteth;
Hear Him!” Yea, hear Him, every one,
Whom He Himself inviteth;
Hear and obey His teaching!
4. In tender manhood God the Son
In Jordan’s water standeth;
The Holy Ghost from heaven’s throne
In dovelike form descendeth;
That thus the truth be not denied,
Nor should our faith e’er waver,
That all three Persons do preside
At Baptism’s holy laver
And dwell with the believer.
5. Thus Jesus His disciples sent:
Go, teach ye every nation,
That, lost in sin, they must repent
And flee from condemnation.
He that believes and is baptized
Shall thereby have salvation,
A new-born man he is in Christ,
From death free and damnation,
He shall inherit heaven.
6. Who in this mercy hath not faith
Nor aught therein discerneth,
Is yet in sin, condemned to death
And fire that ever burneth;
His holiness avails him not,
Nor aught which he is doing;
His inborn sin brings all to naught
And maketh sure his ruin;
Himself he cannot succor.
7. The eye of sense alone is dim
And nothing sees but water;
Faith sees Christ Jesus and in Him
The Lamb ordained for slaughter;
It sees the cleansing fountain, red
With the dear blood of Jesus,
Which from the sins, inherited
From fallen Adam, frees us
And from our own misdoings.
Martin Luther, 1543; R. Massie, tr., a.
402
7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 8
Blessed Jesus, here we stand,
Met to do as Thou hast spoken;
And this child, at Thy command,
Now we bring to Thee in token
That to Christ it here is given;
For of such shall be Thy heaven.
2. Yes, Thy warning voice is plain,
And we would obey it duly:
“He who is not born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
Will My kingdom ne’er inherit.”
3. Therefore hasten we to Thee;
Take the pledge we bring, O take it!
Let us here Thy glory see
And in tender pity make it
Now Thy child and leave it never,
Thine on earth and Thine forever.
4. Wash it, Jesus, in Thy blood
From the sin-stain of its nature;
Let it rise from out this flood
Clothed in Thee, a new-born creature;
May it, washed as Thou hast bidden,
In Thine innocence be hidden.
5. Turn its darkness into light,
To Thy grace receive and save it;
Heal the Serpent’s venomed bite
In the font where now we lave it;
Here let flow a Jordan river
And from leprosy deliver.
6. Make it, Head, Thy member now;
Shepherd, take Thy lamb and feed it;
Prince of Peace, its Peace be Thou;
Way of Life, to heaven lead it;
Vine, this branch may nothing sever,
Graft by faith in Thee forever.
7. Now into Thy heart we pour
Prayers that from our hearts proceeded;
Let our sighing heavenward soar,
Let our warm desires be heeded.
Write the name we now have given,
Write it in the book of heaven.
B. Schmolck, 1704; C. Winkworth, tr.
403
L. M.
Now Christ, the very Son of God,
On sinners sends another flood;
It is the water which the Lord
Has comprehended in the Word.
2. This flood, to cleanse sin’s leprosy,
Mere earthly water cannot be;
But water and God’s gracious Word
Conjoined, this saving bath afford.
3. “Go ye,” says Christ, “My Word proclaim,
Baptize the nations in God’s name;
All who are baptized and believe
My full salvation shall receive.”
4. God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
To be baptized invites the host;
He will be present, though unseen,
From all their sins to wash them clean.
5. So, too, by our repentance, must
The old man, with his sins and lust,
Be daily drowned and then arise
A new man, righteous, pure, and wise.
6. That by the water and the Word
We’re born again, we thank Thee, Lord.
In life and death Thine let us be
And Thine in all eternity.
N. Selnecker, 1572; C. H. L. Schuette, tr., 1880.
404
L. M.
This child we dedicate to Thee,
O God of grace and purity!
Shield it from sin and threatening wrong
And let Thy love its life prolong.
2. Oh, may Thy Spirit gently draw
Its willing soul to keep Thy Law!
May virtue, piety, and truth
Dawn even with its dawning youth!
3. We, too, before Thy gracious sight,
Once shared the blest baptismal rite
And would renew its solemn vow
With love and thanks and praises now.
4. Grant that with true and faithful heart
We still may act the Christian’s part,
Cheered by each promise Thou hast given
And laboring for the prize in heaven.
From the German. S. Gilman, tr., 1823.
405
10, 6, 10, 6, 8, 8, 4
Father of heaven, who hast created all
And rulest all, we pray,
Look on this babe, who at Thy gracious call
Now enters on life’s way.
Oh, make it Thine; Thy blessing give,
That to Thy glory it may live,
Father of heav’n!
2. O Son of God, atoning Lord, behold,
We bring this babe to Thee:
Take it, O loving Shepherd, to Thy fold,
Forever Thine to be;
Defend it through this earthly strife
And lead it on the path of life,
O Son of God!
3. O Holy Ghost, who broodest o’er the wave,
Descend upon this child;
Give it undying life, its spirit lave
With waters undefiled,
And make it evermore to be
An heir of bliss, a shrine for Thee,
O Holy Ghost!
4. O Triune God, what Thou hast willed is done;
We speak, but Thine the might.
This babe hath hardly seen our earthly sun,
Yet on it pour Thy light
Of faith and hope and joyful love,
Thou Sun of all below, above,
O Triune God!
A. Knapp, 1841; C. Winkworth, tr., 1858.
406
S. M.
The Savior kindly calls
Our children to His breast;
He folds them in His gracious arms,
Himself declares them blest.
2. “Let them approach,” He cries,
“Nor scorn their humble claim;
The heirs of heaven are such as these,
For such as these I came.”
3. With joy we bring them, Lord,
Devoting them to Thee,
Imploring that, as we are Thine,
Thine may our offspring be.
H. U. Onderdonk, 1826.
407
S. M.
Stand, soldier of the Cross,
Thy high allegiance claim
And vow to hold the world but loss
For Thy Redeemer’s name.
2. Arise and be baptized
And wash thy sins away;
Thy league with God be solemnized,
Thy faith confessed to-day.
3. No more thine own, but Christ’s;
With all the saints of old,
Apostles, seers, evangelists,
And martyr-throngs enrolled:
4. In God’s whole armor strong,
Front hell’s embattled powers.
The warfare may be sharp and long,
The victory must be ours.
5. O bright the conqueror’s crown,
The song of triumph sweet.
When faith casts every trophy down
At our great Captain’s feet!
E. H. Bickersteth, 1870, a.
Confirmation
408
7, 6, 8 l
Let me be Thine forever,
Thou faithful God and Lord;
Let me forsake Thee never
Nor wander from Thy Word;
Lord, do not let me waver,
But give me steadfastness,
And for such grace forever
Thy holy name I’ll bless.
2. Lord Jesus, my Salvation,
My Light, my Life divine,
My only Consolation,
O make me wholly Thine!
For Thou hast dearly bought me
With blood and bitter pain;
Let me, since Thou hast sought me,
Eternal life obtain.
3. And Thou, O Holy Spirit,
My Comforter and Guide,
Grant that in Jesus’ merit
I always may confide,
Him to the end confessing,
Whom I have known by faith.
Give me Thy constant blessing
And grant a Christian death.
N. Selnecker, 1572; M. Loy, tr., a., 1880.
409
6, 5, 8 l
In the hour of trial,
Jesus, plead for me,
Lest by base denial
I depart from Thee.
When Thou see’st me waver,
With a look recall
Nor from fear or favor
Suffer me to fall.
2. With forbidden pleasures
Would this vain world charm
Or its sordid treasures
Spread to work me harm.
Bring to my remembrance
Sad Gethsemane
Or, in darker semblance,
Cross-crowned Calvary.
3. Should Thy mercy send me
Sorrow, toil, and woe,
Or should pain attend me
On my path below,
Grant that I may never
Fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever
Cast my care on Thee.
4. When my last hour cometh,
Fraught with strife and pain,
When my dust returneth
To the dust again,
On Thy truth relying,
Through that mortal strife,
Jesus, take me, dying,
To eternal life.
James Montgomery, 1834, a.
410
L. M. 8 l
Arm these Thy soldiers, mighty Lord,
With shield of faith and Spirit’s sword.
Forth to the battle may they go
And boldly fight against the foe,
With banner of the Cross unfurled,
And by it overcome the world;
And so at last receive from Thee
The palm and crown of victory.
2. Come, ever-blessed Spirit, come
And make Thy servants’ hearts Thy home;
May each a living temple be,
Hallowed forever, Lord, to Thee!
Enrich that temple’s holy shrine
With sevenfold gifts of grace divine;
With wisdom, light, and knowledge bless,
With counsel, strength, fear, godliness.
3. O Trinity in Unity,
One only God and Persons Three;
In whom, through whom, by whom we live,
To Thee we praise and glory give.
O grant us so to use Thy grace
That we may see Thy glorious face
And ever with the heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
C. Wordsworth, 1862.
411
7s
Thine forever, God of Love!
Hear us from Thy throne above,
Thine forever may we be
Here and in eternity.
2. Thine forever, Lord of Life!
Shield us through our earthly strife;
Thou, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
Guide us to the realms of day.
3. Thine forever! O how blest
They who find in Thee their rest!
Savior, Guardian, heavenly Friend,
O defend us to the end!
4. Thine forever! Savior, keep
These Thy frail and trembling sheep!
Safe alone beneath Thy care,
Let us all Thy goodness share.
5. Thine forever! Thou our Guide,
All our wants by Thee supplied,
All our sins by Thee forgiven;
Lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.
Mary F. Maude, 1848.
412
C. M.
My God, accept my heart this day
And make it always Thine
That I from Thee no more may stray,
No more from Thee decline.
2. Before the cross of Him who died,
Behold, I prostrate fall;
Let every sin be crucified,
Let Christ be all in all!
3. Anoint me with Thy heavenly grace,
Adopt me for Thine own,
That I may see Thy glorious face
And worship at Thy throne!
4. May the dear blood, once shed for me,
My blest atonement prove
That I from first to last may be
The purchase of Thy love!
5. Let every thought and work and word
To Thee be ever given;
Then life shall be Thy service, Lord,
And death the gate of heaven.
M. Bridges, 1848.
Confession
413
8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 4, 8
Lord Jesus Christ, in Thee alone
My only hope on earth I place;
For other comforter is none,
No help have I but in Thy grace.
There is no man nor creature here,
No angel in the heavenly sphere,
Who in my need can succor me.
I cry to Thee,
For Thee I trust implicitly.
2. My sin is very sore and great,
I mourn beneath its dreadful load;
O free me from this heavy weight,
My Savior, through Thy precious blood;
And with Thy Father for me plead
That Thou hast suffered in my stead;
From me the burden then is rolled.
Lord, I lay hold
On Thy dear promises of old.
3. And in Thy mercy now bestow
True Christian faith on me, O Lord,
That all the sweetness I may know
Which in Thy holy Cross is stored,
Love Thee o’er earthly pride or pelf,
And love my neighbor as myself;
And when at last is come my end,
Be Thou my Friend,
From Satan’s wiles my soul defend.
4. Glory to God in highest heaven,
The Father of eternal love;
To His dear Son, for sinners given,
Whose watchful grace we daily prove;
To God the Holy Ghost on high;
Oh, ever be His comfort nigh,
And teach us, in His love and fear,
To please Him here
And serve Him in the heavenly sphere!
J. Schneesing, 1542; C. Winkworth, tr., a., 1858.
414
7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
O may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and heaven wander!
This alone sure hope can give—
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
2. We deserve but grief and shame,
Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim;
Here their ills have perfect healing
Who with humble hearts believe—
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
3. Sheep that from the fold did stray
Every faithful shepherd seeketh;
Weary souls that lost their way,
Christ, the Shepherd, seeks and taketh
In His arms that they may live—
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
4. Come, ye sinners, one and all,
Come, ye all have invitation;
Come, obey His gracious call,
Come, accept His free salvation!
Firmly in these words believe:
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
5. I, a sinner, come to Thee
And acknowledge my transgression;
Tender mercy show to me,
Grant me graciously remission;
Let these words my soul relieve:
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
6. Henceforth I need fear no foe;
Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow
By the virtue of Thy Passion;
For in these words I believe:
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
7. Now my conscience is at ease,
Now I fear no condemnation.
He who grants me full release
Hath atoned for my transgression.
In true faith to Him I cleave,—
“Jesus sinners doth receive!”
Erdmann Neumeister, 1718.
415
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
Out of the depths I cry to Thee,
Lord, hear my lamentation;
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me
And grant my supplication;
For if Thou fix Thy searching eye
On all sin and iniquity,
Who, Lord, can stand before Thee?
2. But love and grace with Thee prevail,
O God, our sins forgiving;
The best and holiest deeds must fail
Of all before Thee living;
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
But all must fear Thy strict demand
And live alone by mercy.
3. My hope I rest, then, on the Lord
And build not on my merit;
My heart shall trust His gracious Word,
His goodness stays my spirit.
His precious Word assureth me
He will my Joy and Comfort be;
This is my firm reliance.
4. And though it tarry till the night
And till the morn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might,
It doubteth not nor feareth.
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed,
Wait for your God’s appearing.
5. Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth,
Our Shepherd is the Lord, and He
At last shall set His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
Martin Luther, 1524.
416
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8
Lord, to Thee I make confession,
I have sinned and gone astray,
I have multiplied transgression,
Chosen for myself my way.
Led at last to see my errors,
Lord, I tremble at Thy terrors.
2. Yet, though conscience’ voice appall me,
Father, I will seek Thy face;
Though Thy child I dare not call me,
Yet receive me to Thy grace;
Do not for my sins forsake me,
Let not yet Thy wrath o’ertake me.
3. For Thy Son hath suffered for me,
And the blood He shed for sin,
That can heal me and restore me,
Quench this burning fire within;
’Tis alone His cross can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.
4. Then on Him I cast my burden,
Sink it in the depths below!
Let me feel Thy gracious pardon,
Wash me, make me white as snow.
Let Thy Spirit leave me never,
Make me only Thine forever!
J. Franck, 1649; C. Winkworth, tr., 1862.
417
L. M.
O Jesus, Lamb of God, who art
The Life and Comfort of my heart,
I, wretched sinner, come to Thee
And bring so many sins with me.
2. O God, my sinfulness is great,
I groan beneath a dreadful weight;
Yet be Thou merciful, I pray,
Take guilt and punishment away.
3. Saint John the Baptist biddeth me
To cast my burden, Lord, on Thee,
Since Thou hast left Thy heavenly throne
That for our sins Thou might’st atone.
4. Help me amend my ways, O Lord,
And willingly obey Thy Word;
Do always, then, abide with me,
And when I die, take me to Thee.
B. Helder, 1620; A. Crull, tr., 1880.
418
L. M.
With broken heart and contrite sigh,
A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry;
Thy pardoning grace is rich and free;
O God, be merciful to me!
2. I smite upon my troubled breast,
With deep and conscious guilt opprest;
Christ and His Cross my only plea;
O God, be merciful to me!
3. Far off I stand with tearful eyes
Nor dare uplift them to the skies;
But Thou dost all my anguish see;
O God, be merciful to me!
4. Nor alms nor deeds that I have done
Can for a single sin atone;
To Calvary alone I flee;
O God, be merciful to me!
5. And when, redeemed from sin and hell,
With all the ransomed throng I dwell,
My raptured song shall ever be,
God has been merciful to me!
C. Elven, 1852.
419
L. M.
O Thou that hear’st when sinners cry,
Though all my crimes before Thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from Thy book.
2. Create my nature pure within,
And form my soul averse to sin;
Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart
Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.
3. I cannot live without Thy light,
Cast out and banished from Thy sight;
Thy holy joys, my God, restore
And guard me that I fall no more.
4. Though I have grieved Thy Spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford;
And let me now come near Thy throne
To plead the merits of Thy Son.
5. A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring;
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye
And save the soul condemned to die.
6. O may Thy love inspire my tongue!
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.
Isaac Watts, 1719, a.
420
L. M. 6 l
Th’ abyss of many a former sin
Encloses me and bars me in;
Like billows my transgressions roll—
Be Thou the Pilot of my soul—
And to salvation’s harbor bring,
Thou Savior and Thou glorious King!
2. My Father’s heritage abused,
Wasted by lust, by sin misused,
To shame and want and misery brought,
The slave to many a fruitless thought:—
I cry to Thee, who lovest men,
O pity and receive again!
3. In hunger now, no more possest
Of that my portion bright and blest,
The exile and the alien see
Who yet would fain return to Thee.
And save me, Lord, who seeks to raise
To Thy dear love the hymn of praise!
4. With that saved thief my prayer I make,
“Remember for Thy mercy’s sake!”
With that poor publican I cry,
“Be merciful, O God most high!”
With that lost prodigal I fain
Back to my home would turn again.
5. Mourn, mourn, my soul, with earnest care
And raise to Christ the contrite prayer:—
O Thou, who freely wast made poor
My sorrows and my sins to cure,
Me, poor of all good works, embrace,
Enriching with Thy boundless grace!
Joseph of the Studium, c. 860; J. M. Neale, tr., 1862.
421
8, 7, 8, 7
Alas, my God! my sins are great,
My conscience doth upbraid me;
And now I find that in my strait
No man hath power to aid me.
2. And fled I hence in my despair
In some lone spot to hide me,
My griefs would still be with me there
And peace still be denied me.
3. Lord, Thee I seek. I merit naught,
Yet pity and restore me;
Be not Thy wrath, just God, my lot;
Thy Son hath suffered for me.
4. If pain and woe must follow sin,
Then be my path still rougher.
Here spare me not; if heaven I win,
On earth I gladly suffer.
5. But curb my heart, forgive my guilt,
Make Thou my patience firmer;
For they must miss the good Thou wilt
Who at Thy chastenings murmur.
6. Then deal with me as seems Thee best,
Thy grace will help me bear it,
If but at last I see Thy rest
And with my Savior share it.
M. Rutilius, 1604; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
422
S. M.
And wilt Thou pardon, Lord,
A sinner such as I,
Although Thy book his crimes record
Of such a crimson dye?
2. So deep are they engraved,
So terrible their fear:
The righteous scarcely shall be saved,
And where shall I appear?
3. O Thou Physician blest,
Make clean my guilty soul
And me, by many a sin opprest,
Restore and keep me whole.
4. I know not how to praise
Thy mercy and Thy love;
But deign Thy servant to upraise,
And I shall learn above.
Joseph of the Studium, c. 860; J. M. Neale, tr., 1862.
423
S. M.
Out of the deep I call
To Thee, O Lord, to Thee;
Before Thy throne of grace I fall,
Be merciful to me.
2. Out of the deep I cry,
The woeful deep of sin,
Of evil done in days gone by,
Of evil now within;
3. Out of the deep of fear
And dread of coming shame.
From morning watch till night is near
I plead the precious name.
4. Lord, there is mercy now,
As ever was, with Thee;
Before Thy throne of grace I bow;
Be merciful to me.
H. W. Baker, 1868.
Absolution
424
L. M.
O God, Thou righteous, faithful Lord,
I have not kept Thy holy Word,
But sinned and oft offended Thee;
Now I repent, it grieveth me.
2. Thou, Father, merciful and kind,
No pleasure in my death dost find,
But strong desire doth in Thee burn
That I should unto Thee return.
3. Since Thou, dear Father, callest me,
I, poor lost sinner, come to Thee,
Relying on Christ’s precious blood
Which from His holy five wounds flowed.
4. I pray through Christ, Thine only Son,
Who for my good our flesh put on,
To me let Thy love never fail,
O’er justice let Thy grace prevail.
5. In mercy, Father, let Thy grace
Through Jesus’ blood my sins efface;
Then I, the poor lost child, will be
From all my sins forever free.
6. Grant that, according to Thy Word,
I lead a godly life, O Lord,
And let me, after time is o’er,
Inherit life forevermore.
Anon., 1650; A. Crull, tr., 1880.
425
L. M.
O faithful God, we worship Thee!
Thou pardon’st our iniquity,
Thou grantest help in sin’s distress,
And soul and body Thou dost bless.
2. Thou, through Thy servant, say’st to me:
“Thy sins are all forgiven thee,
Depart in peace; but sin no more
And e’er My pardoning grace adore.”
3. O Lord, we bless Thy gracious heart,
For Thou Thyself dost heal our smart
Through Christ our Savior’s precious blood,
Which for the sake of sinners flowed.
4. Give us Thy Spirit, peace afford
Now and forever, gracious Lord!
Thy Word and holy Sacrament
Preserve to us till life is spent.
N. Selnecker, 1587.
426
L. M.
Yea, as I live, Jehovah saith,
I do not wish the sinner’s death,
But that he turn from error’s ways,
Repent, and live through endless days.
2. Hence Christ His servants gave command:
“Go forth and preach in every land;
Forgiveness to each soul extend
That mourns, believes, and will amend.
3. “Whose sins soever ye remit,
I truly pardon and acquit;
Whose sins soever ye retain,
Condemned and guilty shall remain.
4. “What ye shall bind, that bound shall be;
What ye shall loose, that shall be free;
To all alike the keys are given
To ope and close the gates of heaven.
5. “They who believe, when ye proclaim
The joyful tidings in My name,
That I for them My blood have shed,
Are free from guilt and Judgment dread.”
6. The words which absolution give
Are His who died that we might live;
The minister whom Christ has sent
Is but His humble instrument.
7. However great our sin may be,
The absolution sets us free,
Appointed by God’s own dear Son
To bring the pardon He has won.
8. When ministers lay on their hands,
Absolved by Christ the sinner stands;
He who by grace the Word believes
The purchase of His blood receives.
9. This is the power of holy keys,
It binds and doth again release;
The Church retains them at her side,
Our mother and Christ’s holy bride.
10. Let those who stings of conscience bear,
Whom sin would drive to dark despair,
To Jesus come with trustful mind
And peace in absolution find.
11. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
For absolution full and free,
In which Thou showest forth Thy grace;
From false indulgence guard our race.
12. Praise God the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
As ’twas, is now, and so shall be,
World without end, eternally!
Nikolaus Herman, 1560; M. Loy, tr., 1880.
The Lord’s Supper
427
10s
Draw nigh and take the body of your Lord
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Offered was He for greatest and for least,
Himself the Victim and Himself the Priest.
2. He that in this world rules His saints and shields,
To all believers life eternal yields,
With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.
3. Approach ye, then, with faithful hearts sincere
And take the pledges of salvation here.
O Judge of all, our only Savior Thou,
In this Thy feast of love be with us now.
Latin, c. 680; J. M. Neale, tr., 1851, a.
428
L. M.
O Jesus, bruised and wounded more
Than bursted grape or bread of wheat,
The Life of life without our souls,
The Cup of our salvation sweet!
2. We come to show Thy dying hour,
Thy streaming vein, Thy broken flesh;
And still the blood is warm to save,
And still the fragrant wounds are fresh.
3. O Heart, that with a double tide
Of blood and water maketh pure;
O Flesh, once offered on the cross,
The gift that makes our pardon sure,—
4. Let nevermore our sinful souls
The anguish of Thy cross renew
Nor forge again the cruel nails
That pierced Thy victim body through.
5. Come, Bread of heaven, to feed our souls,
And with Thee, Jesus, enter in!
Come, Wine of God! and as we drink
His precious blood, wash out our sin.
Mrs. C. F. Alexander.
429
L. M.
My God, and is Thy table spread?
And does Thy cup with love o’erflow?
Thither be all Thy children led
And let them all its sweetness know.
2. Hail, sacred feast which Jesus makes,
Rich banquet of His flesh and blood!
Thrice happy he who here partakes
That sacred stream, that heavenly food!
3. Why are its blessings all in vain
Before unwilling hearts displayed?
Was not for us the Victim slain?
Are we forbid the children’s bread?
4. O let Thy table honored be
And furnished well with joyful guests;
And may each soul salvation see
That here its sacred pledges tastes!
Philip Doddridge, 1755, abr.
430
S. M.
Thy table I approach,
Dear Savior, hear my prayer;
Oh, let no unrepented sin
Prove hurtful to me there!
2. Lo, I confess my sins
And mourn their wretched bands;
A contrite heart is ever wont
To find grace at Thy hands.
3. Thy body and Thy blood,
Once slain and shed for me,
Are taken at Thy table here—
A wondrous mystery!
4. Here I with mouth and soul,
Incomprehensibly,
Shall eat the precious flesh of Christ
In blest reality.
5. Search not how this takes place,
Nor whether it can be;
God can accomplish vastly more
Than seemeth plain to thee.
6. Vouchsafe, O blessed Lord,
That earth and hell combined
May ne’er about this Sacrament
A doubt raise in my mind!
7. And may I never fail
To thank Thee day and night
For Thy true body and true blood,
O God, my Peace and Light!
G. W. Molanus, 1673; M. Loy, 1880, a.
431
11, 8, 11, 8, 5, 9, 9, 6, 7, 5
May God be praised henceforth and blest forever,
Who, Himself both Gift and Giver,
With His own flesh and blood our souls doth nourish;
May they grow thereby and flourish!
O Lord, have mercy!
By Thy holy body, the selfsame
Which from Thine own mother Mary came,
By the drops Thou didst bleed,
Help us in the hour of need.
O Lord, have mercy!
2. Thou hast to death Thy holy body given,
Life to win for us in heaven;
By stronger love, dear Lord, Thou couldst not bind us,
Whereof this should well remind us.
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy love constrained Thee for our good
Mighty things to do by Thy dear blood;
Thou hast paid all we owed,
Thou hast made our peace with God.
O Lord, have mercy!
3. May God bestow on us His grace and blessing,
That, His holy footsteps tracing,
We walk as brethren dear in love and union
Nor repent this sweet Communion.
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us,
Grant that heavenly-minded He make us,
That Thy poor Church may see
Days of peace and unity.
O Lord, have mercy!
1st stanza 15th cent.; Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., a.
432
L. M. 8 l
Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy thy praises render
Unto Him whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous banquet founded;
High o’er all the heavens He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.
2. Hasten as a bride to meet Him
And with loving reverence greet Him;
For with words of life immortal
Now He knocketh at thy portal;
Haste to ope the gates before Him,
Saying, while thou dost adore Him,
“Suffer, Lord, that I receive Thee,
And I nevermore will leave Thee.”
3. He who costly goods desireth
To obtain much gold requireth;
But to freely give the treasure
Of Thy love is Thy good pleasure;
For on earth there is no coffer
Which as payment we might offer
For this cup, Thy blood containing,
And this manna, on us raining.
4. Ah, how hungers all my spirit
For the love I do not merit!
Oft have I, with sighs fast thronging,
Thought upon this food with longing,
In the battle well-nigh worsted,
For this cup of life have thirsted,
For the Friend, who here invites us
And to God Himself unites us.
5. Now I sink before Thee lowly,
Filled with joy most deep and holy,
As with trembling awe and wonder
On Thy mighty works I ponder,
How, by mystery surrounded,
Depths no man hath ever sounded,
None may dare to pierce unbidden,
Secrets that with Thee are hidden.
6. Nay, though reason here doth ponder,
It can never reach this wonder,
That this bread is never lessened,
Though it nourish thousands present,
And that Christ His blood is giving
With the wine we are receiving.
Oh, these mysteries, unsounded,
Are by God alone expounded!
7. Sun, who all my life doth brighten,
Light, who dost my soul enlighten,
Joy, the sweetest man e’er knoweth,
Fount, whence all my being floweth,—
At Thy feet I cry, my Maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blessed food from heaven,
For our good, Thy glory, given.
8. Lord, Thy fervent love hath driven
Thee to leave Thy throne in heaven,
For us on the cross to languish
And to die in bitter anguish,
To forego all joy and gladness
And to shed Thy blood in sadness,
Which we drink now; grant that never
We forget Thy love, dear Savior!
9. Jesus, Bread of life, I pray Thee,
Let me gladly here obey Thee,
Never to my hurt invited,
Be Thy love with love requited;
From this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep love’s treasure.
Through the gifts Thou here dost give me
As Thy guest in heaven receive me.
J. Franck, 1649; C. Winkworth, tr.
433
7s
Lo, upon the altar lies
Bread of heaven from the skies,
Food to mortal wanderers given,
To the sons and heirs of heaven.
2. Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep!
Thou Thy flock in safety keep.
Living Bread! Thy life supply;
Strengthen us, or else we die.
3. Thou, who feedest us below,
Source of all we have or know,
Grant that with Thy saints above
We may reach Thy feast of love!
Thomas Aquinas, † 1274; E. Caswall, tr., 1848.
434
L. M.
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
We celebrate with one accord;
It is our comfort in distress,
Our heart’s sweet joy and happiness.
2. He blotted out with His own blood
The judgment that against us stood;
He full atonement for us made,
And all our debt He fully paid.
3. That this is so and ever true
He gives an earnest ever new,
In this His holy Supper here
We taste His love so sweet, so near.
4. For His true body, as He said,
And His true blood, for sinners shed,
In this communion we receive;
His sacred Word we do believe.
5. A precious food this is indeed,—
It never faileth, such we need,—
A heavenly manna for our soul,
That we may safely reach our goal.
6. Then blessed is each worthy guest
Who in this promise finds His rest;
For Jesus will in love abide
With those who do in Him confide:
7. The guest that comes with true intent
To turn to God and to repent,
To live for Christ, to die to sin,
And thus a holy life begin.
8. Who does unworthy here appear,
Does not believe nor is sincere,
Salvation here he cannot find.
May we this warning bear in mind!
9. O Jesus Christ, our Brother dear,
Unto Thy cross we now draw near;
Thy sacred wounds indeed make whole
A wounded and afflicted soul.
10. Help us sincerely to believe
That we Thy mercy do receive
And in Thy grace do find our rest.
Amen. He who believes is blest.
H. Spegel, 1686; J. O. Wallin, 1814.
435
7, 6, 8 l
O living Bread from heaven,
How hast Thou fed Thy guest!
The gifts Thou now hast given
Have filled my heart with rest.
O wondrous Food of blessing!
O Cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing,
In thankful song o’erflows.
2. My Lord, Thou here hast led me
Within Thy holiest place
And there Thyself hast fed me
With treasures of Thy grace;
And Thou hast freely given
What earth could never buy,
The Bread of life from heaven,
That now I shall not die.
3. Thou givest all I wanted.
The food can death destroy,
And Thou hast freely granted
The cup of endless joy.
Ah, Lord, I do not merit
The favor Thou hast shown,
And all my soul and spirit
Bow down before Thy throne.
4. Lord, grant me that, thus strengthened
With heavenly food, while here
My course on earth is lengthened,
I serve with holy fear;
And when Thou call’st my spirit
To leave this world below,
I enter, through Thy merit,
Where joys unmingled flow.
J. Rist, 1651, a.; C. Winkworth, tr., 1858.
436
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7
Lord Jesus, Thou art truly good;
Thou spread’st for our salvation
Thy body and Thy blood as food
And giv’st us invitation;
As weary souls, with sin opprest,
We come to Thee for needed rest,
For counsel and forgiveness.
2. Although Thou didst ascend to heaven,
Where angels bow before Thee,
And now to mortals ’tis not given
By sight here to adore Thee,
Until begins Thy Judgment grand,
When we before Thy throne shall stand
And cheerfully behold Thee;
3. Yet art Thou ever with us, Lord,
And with Thy congregation
And not confined—so says Thy Word—
To any habitation.
Firm as a rock Thy Word still stands,
Unshaken by the en’mies’ hands
Though they be e’er so cunning.
4. Thou say’st: “This is My body; eat
And orally receive Me.
This is My blood; drink all of it
And henceforth never leave Me.”
What Thou hast spoken true must be;
Thou art almighty, and with Thee
Impossible is nothing.
5. Although my reason cannot see
How in so many places
Thy body at one time may be,
Yet faith Thy Word embraces.
How it can be I leave to Thee;
Thy Word alone sufficeth me,
For Thou wilt that we trust it.
6. Lord, I believe in simple trust,
Strength in my weakness give me,
For I am naught but sinful dust,
Nor of Thy Word bereave me!
Thy Baptism, Supper, and Thy Word
My consolation are, O Lord,
For they contain my treasure.
7. Grant that we worthily receive
Thy Supper, Lord, our Savior,
That for our sins we truly grieve
And prove by our behavior
That we obtained Thy saving grace
And trust in it throughout our days;
Then will our life be godly.
8. For Thy consoling Supper, Lord,
Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for with one accord
The world against it rages.
Grant that Thy body and Thy blood
May be my comfort and sweet food
In my last moments. Amen.
S. Kinner, 1638; E. Cronenwett, tr., 1880.
437
L. M.
An awful mystery is here
To challenge faith and waken fear;
The Savior comes as food divine,
Concealed in earthly bread and wine.
2. This world is loveless—but above,
What wondrous boundlessness of love!
The King of Glory stoops to me
My spirit’s Life and Strength to be.
3. In consecrated wine and bread
No eye perceives the mystery dread;
But Jesus’ words are strong and clear:
“My body and My blood are here.”
4. How dull are all the powers of sense,
Employed on proofs of love immense!
The richest food remains unseen,
And highest gifts appear how mean!
5. But here we have no boon on earth,
And faith alone discerns its worth;
The Word, not sense, must be our guide
And faith assure, since sight’s denied.
6. Lord, show us still that Thou art good
And grant us evermore this food;
Give faith to ev’ry wav’ring soul
And make each wounded spirit whole.
M. Loy, 1880.
438
L. M.
Invited, Lord, by boundless grace,
I stood a guest before Thy face;
As host Thou spread’st no common food;
Here is Thy body and Thy blood!
2. How holy is this Sacrament,
Where pardon, peace, and life are spent!
This bread and cup my lips have pressed;
Thou blessedst, and my soul is blessed.
3. Now lettest Thou Thy guest depart
With full assurance in his heart;
For such communion, Lord, with Thee
May a new life my offering be!
4. When Thou shalt in Thy glory come
To gather all Thy people home,
Then let me, as Thy heavenly guest,
In anthems praise Thee with the blest!
E. Cronenwett, c. 1880.
439
L. M.
’Twas on that dark, that doleful night,
When powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son of God’s delight,
And friends betrayed Him to His foes.
2. Before the mournful scene began,
He took the bread and blessed and brake;
What love through all His actions ran!
What wondrous words of grace He spake!
3. “This is My body, broke for sin;
Receive and eat the living food”;
Then took the cup and blessed the wine:
“’Tis the new covenant in My blood.”
4. “Do this,” He said, “till time shall end,
In memory of your dying Friend.
Meet at My table and record
The love of your departed Lord.”
5. Jesus, Thy feast we celebrate;
We show Thy death, we sing Thy name,
Till Thou return and we shall eat
The marriage supper of the Lamb.
Isaac Watts, 1709, a.
440
L. M.
At Thy command, our dearest Lord,
Here we attend Thy dying feast;
Thy blood, like wine, adorns the board,
And Thine own flesh feeds every guest.
2. Our faith adores Thy bleeding love
And trusts for life in One that died;
We hope for heavenly crowns above
From a Redeemer crucified.
3. Let the vain world pronounce it shame
And fling their scandals on the cause;
We come to boast our Savior’s name
And make our triumphs in His cross.
4. With joy we tell the scoffing age,
He that was dead has left His tomb;
He lives above their utmost rage,
And we are waiting till He come.
Isaac Watts, 1707.
441
8, 8, 7, 8
Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior,
Turned away God’s wrath forever;
Suffering pains no tongue can tell,
He saved us from the pains of hell.
2. To remind us that, to save us,
He hath died, His flesh He gave us
With this bread, a quick’ning food,
And with this wine His precious blood.
3. Whoso to this board repaireth
Take good heed how he prepareth;
Death instead of life shall he
Receive who comes unworthily.
4. Thou shalt hold with faith unshaken
That this food is to be taken
By the sick who are distressed,
By those whose heart is sin-oppressed.
5. Christ says: “Come, ye heavy-laden,
I your weary hearts will gladden;
They that are yet strong and well,
Despise the best physician’s skill.
6. “Couldst thou earn thine own salvation,
Useless were My death and Passion;
This feast is not spread for thee
If thine own helper thou wilt be.”
7. If thou this believest truly
And confession makest duly,
Thou a welcome guest art here,
This heavenly food thy soul shall cheer.
8. But the fruits must not be missing,
Love thy neighbor without ceasing;
That true love let him receive
Which here to thee thy God doth give.
John Huss, † 1415; Martin Luther, 1524.
Home, Marriage, Children
442
7, 6, 7, 6
The voice that breathed o’er Eden,
That earliest wedding-day,
The primal marriage blessing,—
It hath not passed away.
2. Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid,
The Holy Three are with us,
The threefold grace is said.
3. Be present, loving Father,
To give away this bride,
As Eve Thou gav’st to Adam
Out of his own pierced side.
4. Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands,
As Thou didst bind two natures
In Thine eternal bands.
5. Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom,
The heavenly spouse dost seal.
6. O spread Thy pure wings o’er them,
Let no ill power find place,
When onward to Thine altar
Their hallowed path they trace,
7. To cast their crowns before Thee
In perfect sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ’s own Bride they rise.
J. Keble, 1857, a.
443
C. M. 8 l
Lord, who at Cana’s wedding-feast
Didst as a Guest appear,
Thou dearer far than earthly guest,
Vouchsafe Thy presence here;
For holy Thou indeed dost prove
The marriage-vow to be,
Proclaiming it a type of love
Between the Church and Thee.
2. The holiest vow that man can make,
The golden thread in life,
The bond that none may dare to break,
That bindeth man and wife;
Which, blessed by Thee, whate’er betides,
No evil shall destroy,
Through care-worn days each care divides,
And doubles every joy.
3. On those who now before Thee kneel,
O Lord, Thy blessing pour,
That each may wake the other’s zeal
To love Thee more and more.
Oh, grant them here in peace to live,
In purity and love,
And, this world leaving, to receive
A crown of life above.
A. Thrupp, 1853, a.
444
11, 10, 11, 10
O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in pray’r before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.
2. O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust, that fears nor pain nor death.
3. Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.
Dorothy F. Bloomfield, 1883.
445
L. M.
O blest the house, whate’er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all;
Yea, if He were not dwelling there,
How poor and dark and void it were!
2. O blest that house where faith ye find,
And all within have set their mind
To trust their God and serve Him still
And do in all His holy will!
3. O blest the parents who give heed
Unto their children’s foremost need
And weary not of care or cost!
To them and heaven shall none be lost.
4. Blest such a house, it prospers well,
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lot is shown
How richly God can bless His own.
5. Then here will I and mine to-day
A solemn covenant make and say:
Though all the world forsake Thy Word,
I and my house will serve the Lord.
C. C. von Pfeil, 1782; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
446
L. M.
Happy the man who feareth God,
Whose feet His holy ways have trod;
Thine own good hand shall nourish thee,
And well and happy shalt thou be.
2. Lo! to that man these blessings cleave
Who in God’s holy fear doth live;
From him the ancient curse hath fled
By Adam’s race inherited.
3. Out of Mount Zion God shall send
And crown with joy thy latter end,
That thou Jerusalem may’st see
In favor and prosperity.
4. He shall be with thee in thy ways
And give thee health and strength of days;
Yea, thou shalt children’s children see,
And peace on Israel shall be.
5. Praise God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One;
As ’twas through ages heretofore,
Is now, and shall be evermore.
Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., abr.
447
8, 7, 6 l
Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Children all are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may they be;
Sweetly, fondly, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.
2. Tender Shepherd, never leave them
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy warning love directed,
May they walk the narrow way!
Thus direct them, thus defend them,
Lest they fall an easy prey.
3. Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied,
Mingled stream of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side;
And to heavenly pastures lead them,
Where Thine own still waters glide.
4. Let Thy holy Word instruct them;
Fill their minds with heavenly light;
Let Thy powerful grace constrain them
To approve whate’er is right;
Let them feel Thy yoke is easy,
Let them prove Thy burden light.
5. Taught to lisp Thy holy praises
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts, unfeignèd,
Glad thank-offerings may they bring;
Then with all the saints in glory
Join to praise their Lord and King.
Jane E. Leeson, 1857.
448
6, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4
Shepherd of tender youth,
Guiding in love and truth
Through devious ways;
Christ, our triumphant King,
We come Thy name to sing
And here our children bring
To join Thy praise.
2. Thou art our holy Lord,
O all-subduing Word,
Healer of strife.
Thou didst Thyself abase
That from sin’s deep disgrace
Thou mightest save our race
And give us life.
3. Thou art the great High Priest;
Thou hast prepared the feast
Of holy love;
And in our mortal pain
None calls on Thee in vain;
Help Thou dost not disdain,
Help from above.
4. Ever be near our side,
Our Shepherd and our Guide,
Our Staff and Song;
Jesus, Thou Christ of God,
By Thine enduring Word
Lead us where Thou hast trod,
Make our faith strong.
5. So now, and till we die,
Sound we Thy praises high
And joyful sing;
Let all the holy throng
Who to Thy Church belong
Unite and swell the song
To Christ, our King!
Clement of Alexandria, 211; H. M. Dexter, tr., 1846.
449
8, 7, 8, 7
Savior, who Thy flock art feeding
With the Shepherd’s kindest care,
All the feeble gently leading,
While the lambs Thy bosom share,—
2. Now, these little ones receiving,
Fold them in Thy gracious arm;
There, we know, Thy Word believing,
Only there secure from harm.
3. Never, from Thy pasture roving,
Let them be the Lion’s prey;
Let Thy tenderness, so loving,
Keep them through life’s dangerous way.
4. Then within Thy fold eternal
Let them find a resting-place,
Feed in pastures ever vernal,
Drink the rivers of Thy grace.
W. A. Muehlenberg, 1826.