Part 22
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!