Part 9
2. He comes the prisoners to release, In Satan’s bondage held; The gates of brass before Him burst, The iron fetters yield.
3. He comes from thickest films of vice To clear the mental ray And on the eyeballs of the blind To pour the heav’nly day.
4. He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure And with the treasures of His grace T’ enrich the humble poor.
5. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim. And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge, 1735.
140
L. M. (with Hall.)
Again is come the new church-year; Rejoice, all Christians, far and near! Thy King, O Zion, comes to Thee, Therefore rejoice eternally! Hallelujah!
2. Amongst us now anew are heard The lessons of God’s gracious Word, Which shows the way to life in heaven. For this all praise to God be given! Hallelujah!
3. May what is taught in Thy true Word Increase our faith in Thee, O Lord, And so abide in us that we May render endless praise to Thee! Hallelujah!
J. Olearius, 1671.
141
7s
Savior of the heathen, come, Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home! Wonder at it, heaven and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth.
2. Not by human flesh and blood, By the Spirit of our God Was the Word of God made flesh— Woman’s blossom, sweet and fresh.
3. Though the virgin was with child, Chastity proved undefiled; Many a virtue rare forth shone, God was there upon His throne.
4. From the Father forth He came And returned unto the same; Down to hell He went alone And again to God’s high throne.
5. Thou, the Father’s equal, win Victory in the flesh o’er sin, By Thy strength divine, O Lord, Help to our frail flesh afford.
6. Lord, Thy manger is so bright, Night sends forth a novel light; Darkness must not enter there, Faith abides in light fore’er.
7. Praise to God the Father sing, Praise to God the Son, our King, Praise to God the Spirit be Ever and eternally.
From the Latin of Ambrose; Martin Luther, 1524, abr.
142
7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6
Arise, sons of the kingdom! The King is drawing nigh; Arise and hail with gladness The Ruler from on high. Ye Christians, hasten forth! Your praise and homage bring Him And glad hosannas sing Him; Naught else your love is worth.
2. Arise, ye drooping mourners! The King is very near; Away with grief and sorrow! For, lo! your Help is here. Behold, in many a place— O blessed consolation!— We find Him, our Salvation, In His pure means of grace.
3. Now hear, ye bold transgressors, The King full well gives heed To all that ye are doing, And to the life ye lead, Enthralled by sin and hell; There’s naught in all creation Escapes His observation, He marketh all things well.
4. Be righteous, ye His subjects, The King is just and true; Prepare for Him a highway, Make all things straight and new. He means all for our good; Then let us bear the crosses Which He Himself imposes In an undaunted mood.
5. He nevermore forsaketh A child that feels the rod, Who Him his Refuge maketh And puts his trust in God. He is our sovereign King; E’en death itself shall never Those from their Master sever Who to His mercy cling.
6. Arise, ye faint and fearful! The King now comes with might; His heart hath long since loved us, He makes our darkness light. Now are our sorrows o’er; No wrath shall e’er befall us, Since God in grace doth call us His children evermore.
7. The King in grace remembers His loved ones here below With gifts of royal treasures, Yea, doth Himself bestow Through His blest Word and grace. O King, arrayed in splendor, To Thee all praise we’ll render Here and there face to face.
8. O rich the gifts Thou bring’st us, Thyself made poor and weak; O Love beyond expression That thus can sinners seek! For this, O Lord, will we Our joyous tribute bring Thee And glad hosannas sing Thee And ever grateful be.
J. Rist, 1651, abr.
143
6s 6 l
Once He came in blessing, All our ills redressing, Came in likeness lowly, Son of God most holy; Bore the cross to save us, Hope and freedom gave us.
2. Still He comes within us, Still His voice would win us From the sins that hurt us; Would to Truth convert us From our foolish errors, Ere He comes in terrors.
3. Thus, if thou hast known Him, Not ashamed to own Him, Nor dost love Him coldly, But wilt trust Him boldly, He will now receive thee, Heal thee, and forgive thee.
4. He who well endureth Bright reward secureth. Come then, O Lord Jesus, From our sins release us; Let us here confess Thee Till in heaven we bless Thee.
J. Horn (Roh), 1544; C. Winkworth, tr., 1862, a.
144
L. M.
Jesus, Thy Church with longing eyes For Thine expected coming waits: When will the promised light arise, And glory beam from Zion’s gates?
2. E’en now, when tempests round us fall And wintry clouds o’ercast the sky, Thy words with pleasure we recall And deem that our redemption’s nigh.
3. Come, gracious Lord, our hearts renew, Our foes repel, our wrongs redress, Man’s rooted enmity subdue, And crown Thy Gospel with success.
4. O come and reign o’er every land; Let Satan from his throne be hurled, All nations bow to Thy command, And grace revive a dying world.
5. Teach us in watchfulness and prayer To wait for the appointed hour And fit us by Thy grace to share The triumphs of Thy conquering power.
W. H. Bathhurst, 1831.
CHRISTMAS.
145
8, 6, 6, 8, 6, 6
All my heart this night rejoices, As I hear Far and near Sweetest angel voices; “Christ is born,” their choirs are singing, Till the air Everywhere Now with joy is ringing.
2. Forth to-day the Conqueror goeth, the foe, Sin and woe, Death and hell, o’erthroweth. God is man, man to deliver; His dear Son Now is one With our blood forever.
3. Shall we still dread God’s displeasure, Who, to save, Freely gave Us His dearest Treasure? To redeem us, He hath given His own Son From the throne Of His might in heaven.
4. Should He, who Himself imparted, Aught withhold From the fold, Leave us broken-hearted? Should the Son of God not love us, Who, to cheer Sufferers here, Left His throne above us?
5. If our blessed Lord and Maker Hated men, Would He then Be of flesh partaker? If He in our woe delighted, Would He bear All the care Of our race benighted?
6. He becomes the Lamb that taketh Sin away And for aye Full atonement maketh. For our Life His own He tenders And our race, By His grace, Meet for glory renders.
7. Hark! a voice from yonder manger, Soft and sweet, Doth entreat: “Flee from woe and danger; Brethren, from all ills that grieve you You are freed, All you need I will surely give you.”
8. Come, then, banish all your sadness, One and all, Great and small, Come with songs of gladness. Love Him who with love is glowing; Hail the Star, Near and far, Light and joy bestowing.
9. Ye whose anguish knew no measure, Weep no more, See the door To celestial pleasure. Cling to Him, for He will guide you Where no cross, Pain, or loss Can again betide you.
10. Hither come, ye heavy-hearted, Who for sin, Deep within, Long and sore have smarted; For the poisoned wounds you’re feeling Help is near, One is here Mighty for their healing.
11. Hither come, ye poor and wretched, Know His will Is to fill Every hand outstretchèd; Here are riches without measure, Here forget All regret, Fill your hearts with treasure.
12. Let me in my arms receive Thee, On Thy breast Let me rest, Savior, ne’er to leave Thee! Since Thou hast Thyself presented Now to me, I shall be Evermore contented.
13. Guilt no longer can distress me; Son of God, Thou my load Bearest to release me. Stain in me Thou findest never; I am clean, All my sin Is removed forever.
14. I am pure, in Thee believing, From Thy store Evermore Righteous robes receiving. In my heart I will enfold Thee, Treasure rare, Let me there, Loving, ever hold Thee!
15. Thee, O Lord, with heed I’ll cherish While I’ve breath; E’en in death Shall my faith not perish. I shall dwell with Thee forever Far on high, In the joy That can alter never.
Paul Gerhardt, 1656.
146
7s
Let the earth now praise the Lord, Who hath truly kept His word And the sinners’ Help and Friend Now at last to us doth send.
2. What the fathers most desired, What the prophets’ heart inspired, What they longed for many a year, Stands fulfilled in glory here.
3. Abram’s promised great Reward, Zion’s Helper, Jacob’s Lord, Him of twofold race behold, Truly came, as long foretold.
4. Welcome, O my Savior, now! Hail! my Portion, Lord, art Thou! Here, too, in my heart, I pray, O prepare Thyself a way.
5. King of Glory, enter in! Cleanse it from the filth of sin, As Thou hast so often done; It belongs to Thee alone.
6. As Thy coming was in peace, Noiseless, full of gentleness, Let the same mind dwell in me That was ever found in Thee.
7. Comfort my desponding heart; Thou my Strength and Refuge art. I am weak, and cunningly Satan lays his snares for me.
8. Bruise for me the Serpent’s head, That, set free from doubt and dread, I may cleave to Thee in faith, Safely kept through life and death;
9. And when Thou dost come again As a glorious King to reign, I with joy may see Thy face, Truly ransomed by Thy grace.
H. Held, 1643; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
147
8, 7, 8, 8, 4
All praise to Jesus’ hallowed name, Who of virgin pure became True man for us! The angels sing, As the glad news to earth they bring, Hallelujah!
2. Th’ eternal Father’s only Son For a manger leaves His throne; Disguised in our poor flesh and blood Is now the everlasting Good. Hallelujah!
3. He whom the world could not inclose Doth in Mary’s lap repose, He is become an infant small, Who by His might upholdeth all. Hallelujah!
4. Th’ eternal Light, come down from heaven, Hath to us new sunshine given; It shineth in the midst of night And maketh us the sons of light. Hallelujah!
5. The Father’s Son, God ever blest, In the world became a guest; He leads us from this vale of tears And makes us in His kingdom heirs. Hallelujah!
6. He came to earth despised and poor, Man to pity and restore And make us rich in heaven above, The angels’ equal, through His love. Hallelujah!
7. All this He did that He might prove To us sinners His great love; For this let Christendom adore And praise His name forevermore. Hallelujah!
Martin Luther, 1543; R. Massie, tr., a. First stanza since 1370.
148
L. M.
Now praise we Christ, the Holy One, The blessed Virgin Mary’s Son, Far as the glorious sun doth shine, E’en to the world’s remote confine.
2. He who Himself all things did make A servant’s form vouchsafed to take, That He as man mankind might win And save His creatures from their sin.
3. The grace of God, the mighty Lord, Upon the mother was outpoured; A virgin pure and undefiled In wondrous wise conceived a child.
4. The noble mother bare a Son, For so did Gabriel’s promise run, Whom John confessed and leaped with joy, Ere yet the mother knew her boy.
5. Upon a manger, filled with hay, In poverty content He lay; With milk was fed the Lord of all, Who feeds the ravens when they call.
6. The heavenly choirs rejoice and raise Their voice to God in songs of praise; To humble shepherds is proclaimed The Shepherd who the world hath framed.
7. All honor unto Christ be paid, Pure offspring of the favored maid, With Father and with Holy Ghost, Till time in endless time be lost!
From the Latin of Sedulius; Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr., a.
149
7, 6, 7, 6
A great and mighty wonder Our Christmas Festal brings: On earth, a lowly Infant, Behold the King of kings!
2. The Word is made incarnate, Descending from on high; And cherubim sing anthems To shepherds, from the sky.
3. And we with them triumphant Repeat the hymn again: “To God on high be glory And peace on earth to men!”
4. While thus they sing your Monarch, Those bright angelic bands, Rejoice, ye vales and mountains! Ye oceans, clap your hands!
5. Since all He comes to ransom, By all be He adored, The Infant born in Bethlehem, The Savior and the Lord!
6. All idol forms shall perish, And error shall decay, And Christ shall wield His scepter, Our Lord and God, for aye.
From the Greek of Anatolius, c. 540; J. M. Neale, tr. 1862, a.
150
L. M.
From heaven above to earth I come To bear good news to every home; Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Whereof I now will say and sing.
2. To you this night is born a child Of Mary, chosen virgin mild; This little child, of lowly birth, Shall be the joy of all the earth.
3. This is the Christ, our God and Lord, Who in all need shall aid afford; He will Himself your Savior be, From all your sins to make you free.
4. He brings those blessings long ago Prepared by God for all below, That in His heavenly kingdom blest You may with us forever rest.
5. These are the tokens ye shall mark: The swaddling-clothes and manger dark; There shall ye find the young Child laid By whom the heavens and earth were made.
6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer Go with the shepherds and draw near To see the wondrous gift of God, Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.
7. Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes! What is it in yon manger lies? Who is this child, so young and fair? Dear little Jesus lieth there.
8. Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest, Through whom the sinful world is blest! Thou com’st to share my misery, What thanks shall I return to Thee?
9. Ah! Lord, who hast created all, How hast Thou made Thee weak and small That Thou must choose Thy infant bed Where humble cattle lately fed.
10. And were the world ten times as wide, With gold and jewels beautified, It would be far too small to be A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
11. For velvets soft and silken stuff Thou hast but hay and straw so rough, Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great, As ’twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.
12. And thus, dear Lord, it pleasèd Thee To make this truth quite plain to me, That this world’s honor, wealth, and might Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.
13. Ah! dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A chamber consecrate to Thee.
14. My heart for very joy doth leap, My lips no more can silence keep; I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradle-song:
15. Glory to God in highest heav’n, Who unto man His Son hath giv’n! While angels sing with pious mirth A glad New Year to all the earth.
Martin Luther, 1535.
151
L. M.
Rejoice, ye sons of men alway! God comes to you from heaven to-day; The Lord is born a little child Of Mary, chosen virgin mild.
2. He is the Branch of Jesse’s tree, The Lion out of Judah He, The Gentiles’ Light, the promised Seed Who was to bruise the Serpent’s head.
3. He brings us peace and happiness And heals all sorrow and distress Which on account of Adam’s fall Forever weighed upon us all.
4. Through His low birth and holy blood We all are saved by Christ, true God; The angels’ glory we shall share And in His kingdom live fore’er.
C. Freund, † 1591; A. Crull, tr.
152
8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8
O rejoice, ye Christians, loudly, For our joy has now begun; Wondrous things our God hath done; Tell abroad His goodness proudly, Who our race hath honored thus That He deigns to dwell with us. Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness! Christ hath done away with sadness! Hence, all sorrow and repining, For the Sun of Grace is shining!
2. See, my soul, thy Savior chooses Weakness here and poverty, In such love He comes to thee, Nor the hardest couch refuses; All He suffers for thy good, To redeem thee by His blood. Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness! Christ hath done away with sadness! Hence, all sorrow and repining, For the Sun of Grace is shining!
3. Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly? I acknowledge that by Thee I am saved eternally; Let me not forget it lightly, But to Thee through all things cleave, And my heart true peace receive. Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness! Christ hath done away with sadness! Hence, all sorrow and repining, For the Sun of Grace is shining!
4. Jesus, guard and guide Thy members, Fill Thy brethren with Thy grace, Hear their prayers in every place, Quicken now life’s faintest embers; Grant all Christians, far and near, Holy peace, a glad New Year! Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness! Christ hath done away with sadness! Hence, all sorrow and repining, For the Sun of Grace is shining!
C. Keymann, † 1662; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
153
7, 6, 7, 6
Let us all with gladsome voice Praise the God of heaven, Who, to bid our hearts rejoice, His own Son hath given.
2. To this vale of tears He comes, Here to serve in sadness, That with Him in heaven’s fair homes We may reign in gladness.
3. We are rich, for He was poor; Is not this a wonder? Therefore praise God evermore Here on earth and yonder!
4. O Lord Christ, our Savior dear, Be Thou ever near us. Grant us now a glad New Year; Amen, Jesus, hear us!
U. Langhanns, c. 1560; C. Winkworth, tr.
154
7s 8 l
Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
2. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail, th’ incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
3. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart! Hark! the herald-angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
Charles Wesley, 1739, a.
155
C. M.
To us a Child of hope is born, To us a Son is given, And on His shoulder ever rests All power in earth and heaven.
2. His name shall be the Prince of Peace, The everlasting Lord, The Wonderful, the Counselor, The God by all adored.
3. His righteous government and power Shall over all extend; On judgment and on justice based, His reign shall have no end.
4. Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray, And make us Thine alone, Who with the Father ever art And Holy Spirit, one.
J. Morison, 1781, abr.
156
4, 4, 11, 4, 4, 11
We Christians may Rejoice to-day, When Christ was born to comfort and to save us; Who thus believes No longer grieves, For none are lost who grasp the hope He gave us.
2. O wondrous joy, That God most high Should take our flesh and thus our race should honor; A virgin mild Hath born this Child; Such grace and glory God hath put upon her.
3. Sin brought us grief; But Christ, relief, When down to earth He came for our salvation; Since God with us Is dwelling thus, Who dares to speak the Christian’s condemnation?
4. Then hither throng With happy song To Him whose birth and death are our assurance; Through whom are we At last set free From sins and burdens that surpassed endurance.
5. Yes, let us praise Our God and raise Loud hallelujahs to the skies above us; The bliss bestowed To-day by God To ceaseless thankfulness and joy should move us.
Caspar Fueger, † 1617; C. Winkworth, tr.
157
C. M.
Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men, Before His highest throne, To-day He opens heaven again And gives us His own Son.
2. He leaves His heavenly Father’s throne, Is born an infant small, And in a manger, poor and lone, Lies in a humble stall.
3. He lays aside His power divine, A servant’s form doth take; In want and lowness He doth pine Who heaven and earth did make.
4. He nestles at His mother’s breast, Her milk His food must be; Whom saints and angels call the Blest, Of David’s house is He.
5. ’Tis He who in these latter days From Judah’s tribe should come, By whom the Lord again would raise His Church, His Christendom.
6. A wondrous change which He doth make! He takes our flesh and blood And lays aside for sinners’ sake His majesty of God.
7. He serves that I a lord may be; A great exchange, indeed! Could Jesus’ love do more for me To help me in my need?
8. He opens us again the door Of Paradise to-day; The cherub guards the gate no more. To God our thanks we pay.
Nikolaus Herman, 1560; A. Crull, tr., a.
158
C. M.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love.
Isaac Watts, 1719.
159
11s
Come hither, ye faithful, triumphantly sing; Come, see in the manger our Savior and King! To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord; O come ye, come hither, to worship the Lord!
2. True Son of the Father, He comes from the skies; To be born of a virgin He does not despise. To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord; O come ye, come hither, to worship the Lord!
3. Hark, hark to the angels all singing in heaven, “To God in the highest all glory be given!” To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord; O come ye, come hither, to worship the Lord!