Chapter L: M. (with Hall.) (1)

Immanuel, we sing Thy praise,
Thou Prince of Life and Fount of grace,
Thou Flower of heaven and Star of morn,
Thou Lord of lords, Thou Virgin-born.
Hallelujah!

2. With all Thy saints to Thee we sing,
Praise, honor, thanks to Thee we bring,
That Thou, O long-expected Guest,
Hast come at last to make us blest!
Hallelujah!

3. For Thee, since first the world was made,
So many hearts have watched and prayed;
The patriarchs’ and prophets’ throng
For Thee have hoped and waited long.
Hallelujah!

4. Above all others longed for Thee
Thy people’s king and shepherd, he
With whom Thou, Lord, so well wert pleased
When with his harp Thy name he praised.
Hallelujah!

5. Oh, that the Savior soon would come
To break our bonds and lead us home!
Oh, that He might salvation bring!
Then Jacob would rejoice and sing.
Hallelujah!

6. Now Thou art here, Thou Ever-blest!
In lowly manger Thou dost rest;
Great things Thou makest, yet art small;
Naked Thyself, who clothest all.
Hallelujah!

7. All heavens are Thine, yet Thou dost come
To sojourn in a stranger’s home;
A mother’s milk dost not despise,
Who art the Joy of angels’ eyes.
Hallelujah!

8. Thou hast set bounds to earth and sea,
Yet swaddling-bands encircle Thee;
Thou’rt God—a bed of straw Thou hast;
Thou’rt man—yet art the First and Last.
Hallelujah!

9. From Thee above all gladness flows,
Yet Thou must bear such bitter woes;
The Gentiles’ Light and Hope Thou art,
Yet findest none to soothe Thy heart.
Hallelujah!

10. The sweetest Friend of man Thou art,
Yet many hate Thee in their heart;
By Herod’s heart Thou art abhorred,
Yet Thou art our Salvation, Lord.
Hallelujah!

11. But I, Thy humblest servant, may
Confess my love and freely say,
I love Thee truly, but I would
That I might love Thee as I should.
Hallelujah!

12. I have the will, the power is weak,
Yet, Lord, my humble offering take
And graciously the love receive
Which my poor heart to Thee can give.
Hallelujah!

13. Thou to be weak dost not disdain,
Dost choose the things the world deems vain,
Art poor and needy and content
To suffer poverty and want.
Hallelujah!

14. Thou sleepest on the lap of earth;
The manger where Thou at Thy birth
Wast laid to rest, the hay, the stall,
Were mean and miserable all.
Hallelujah!

15. And therefore doth my courage rise,
Me also Thou wilt not despise;
O dearest Lord, Thy tender grace
Fills me with hope and happiness.
Hallelujah!

16. Although I’ve passed in sin my days
And wandered far from wisdom’s ways,
Yet Thou for this to earth hast come,
To bring the wandering sinner home.
Hallelujah!

17. Had I no load of sin to bear,
Thy grace, O Lord, I could not share;
In vain had’st Thou been born for me
If from God’s wrath I had been free.
Hallelujah!

18. Now fearlessly I come to Thee,
From every grief Thou mak’st me free;
Thou bear’st the wrath, dost death destroy,
And turnest sorrow into joy.
Hallelujah!

19. Thou art my Head, my Lord divine;
I am Thy member, wholly Thine,
And by Thy Spirit’s gracious power
Will seek to serve Thee evermore.
Hallelujah!

20. I’ll sing loud hallelujahs here
With joyful spirit year by year;
And in Thy courts of joy above
Forever I will sing Thy love.
Hallelujah!

Paul Gerhardt, 1653; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

162

L. M.

To shepherds, as they watched by night,
Appeared a troop of angels bright;
Behold the tender Babe, they said,
In yonder lowly manger laid,

2. At Bethlehem, in David’s town,
As Micah did of old make known;
’Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,
Who doth to all salvation bring.

3. Rejoice ye, then, that through His Son
God is with sinners now at one;
Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,
Your Brother is th’ eternal God.

4. What harm can sin and death, then, do?
The true God now abides with you.
Let hell and Satan rage and chafe,
God is your Brother—ye are safe.

5. Not one He will, nor can, forsake
Who Him his confidence doth make;
E’en if their worst your en’mies try,
Ye may their powerless rage defy.

6. Ye must prevail at last, for ye
Have now become God’s family;
To God forever give ye praise,
Patient and cheerful all your days.

Martin Luther, 1543; R. Massie, tr., a.

END OF YEAR.

163

7s 8 l

While with ceaseless course the sun
Hasted through the former year,
Many souls their race have run,
Nevermore to meet us here;
Fixed in an eternal state,
They have done with all below;
We a little longer wait,
But how little, none can know.

2. As the wingèd arrow flies
Speedily, the mark to find;
As the lightning from the skies
Darts and leaves no trace behind;
Swiftly thus our fleeting days
Bear us down life’s rapid stream.
Upward, Lord, our spirits raise;
All below is but a dream.

3. Thanks for mercies past receive,
Pardon of our sins renew,
Teach us henceforth how to live
With eternity in view.
Bless Thy Word to young and old,
Fill us with a Savior’s love;
And when life’s short tale is told,
May we dwell with Thee above.

John Newton, 1774.

164

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 (Iambic)

Across the sky the shades of night
This winter’s eve are fleeting;
We deck Thine altar, Lord, with light,
In solemn worship meeting;
And as the year’s last hours go by,
We raise to Thee our earnest cry,
Once more Thy love entreating.

2. Before the cross subdued we bow,
To Thee our prayers addressing,
Recounting all Thy mercies now,
And all our sins confessing;
Beseeching Thee this coming year
To keep us in Thy faith and fear
And crown us with Thy blessing.

3. And while we pray, we lift our eyes
To dear ones gone before us,
Safe home with Thee in Paradise,
Whose peace descendeth o’er us;
And beg of Thee, when life is past
To reunite us all at last
With those who’ve gone before us.

4. We gather up, in this brief hour,
The memory of Thy mercies:
Thy wondrous goodness, love, and power
Our grateful song rehearses:
For Thou hast been our Strength and Stay
In many a dark and dreary day
Of sorrows and reverses.

5. In many an hour, when fear and dread,
Like evil spells, have bound us
And clouds were gathering overhead,
Thy providence hath found us.
In many a night, when seas ran high,
Thy gracious presence, drawing nigh,
Hath made all calm around us.

6. Then, O great God, in years to come,
Whatever may betide us,
Right onward through our journey home
Be Thou at hand to guide us;
Nor leave us till, at close of life,
Safe from all perils, toil, and strife.
Heaven shall enfold and hide us.

James Hamilton, 1882.

165

7s

Thou who roll’st the year around,
Crowned with mercies large and free,
Rich Thy gifts to us abound,
Warm our praise shall rise to Thee.

2. Kindly to our worship bow,
While our grateful thanks we tell,
That, sustained by Thee, we now
Bid the parting year farewell!

3. All its numbered days are sped,
All its busy scenes are o’er,
All its joys forever fled,
All its sorrows felt no more.

4. Mingled with th’ eternal past,
Its remembrance shall decay,
Yet to be revived at last
At the solemn Judgment Day.

5. All our follies, Lord, forgive!
Cleanse us from each guilty stain;
Let Thy grace within us live
That we spend not years in vain.

6. Then, when life’s last eve shall come,
Happy spirits, may we fly
To our everlasting home,
To our Father’s house on high!

Ray Palmer, 1858.

NEW YEAR.

166

7, 5, 8 l

Father, let me dedicate
All this year to Thee,
In whatever earthly state
Thou wilt have me be.
Not from sorrow, pain, or care,
Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer:
Glorify Thy name.

2. Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a Father’s love refuse
All the best to give?
More Thou givest every day
Than the best can claim,
Nor withholdest aught that may
Glorify Thy name.

3. If in mercy Thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine;
If on life, serene and fair,
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Thee in all proclaim,
And, whate’er the future brings,
Glorify Thy name.

4. If Thou callest to the cross
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how Thy dear Son
To His glory came
And in deepest woe pray on:
“Glorify Thy name.”

L. Tuttiett, 1825.

167

L. M.

Great God, we sing that mighty Hand
By which supported still we stand;
The opening year Thy mercy shows;
Let mercy crown it till it close.

2. By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still we are guarded by our God,
By His incessant bounty fed,
By His unerring counsel led.

3. With grateful hearts the past we own;
The future, all to us unknown,
We to Thy guardian care commit
And, peaceful, leave before Thy feet.

4. In scenes exalted or depressed
Be Thou our Joy and Thou our Rest;
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,
Adored through all our changing days.

5. When death shall interrupt our songs
And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our Helper, God, in whom we trust,
In better worlds our soul shall boast.

Philip Doddridge, 1755.

168

7s

For Thy mercy and Thy grace,
Constant through another year,
Hear our song of thankfulness;
Jesus, our Redeemer, hear!

2. Lo! our sins on Thee we cast,
Thee, our perfect Sacrifice,
And, forgetting all the past,
Press unto our glorious prize.

3. Dark the future; let Thy light
Guide us, bright and Morning Star:
Fierce our foes and hard the fight;
Arm us, Savior, for the war.

4. In our weakness and distress,
Rock of strength, be Thou our Stay;
In the pathless wilderness
Be our true and living Way.

5. Who of us death’s awful road
In the coming year shall tread?
With Thy rod and staff, O God,
Comfort Thou his dying bed.

6. Keep us faithful, keep us pure,
Keep us evermore Thine own;
Help, O help us to endure;
Fit us for the promised crown.

7. So within Thy palace gate
We shall praise, on golden strings,
Thee the only Potentate,
Lord of lords and King of kings.

H. Downton, 1841, a.

169

L. M.

The new-born Child this early morn,
The dear Christ-child, of virgin born,
Again brings from His heavenly home
A new year to all Christendom.

2. This causes joy to angels fair,
Who love to keep us in their care;
They sing that in this wondrous Child
God now with man is reconciled.

3. Since God is reconciled with men,
What harm can Satan do us, then?
O’er Satan and the gates of hell
This Christ-child shall for us prevail.

4. He brings the year of jubilee!
Why doubt we yet despondently?
Rejoice! This is a happy day;
The Christ-child drives all care away.

C. Schneegass, † 1597; E. Cronenwett, tr., a.

170

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7

O Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee
In this new year we render,
For Thou hast been from misery
And dangers our Defender;
Through all the year that now has fled
Hast given us life and daily bread
And peace within our borders.

2. Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee
In this new year we render,
For Thou still rulest zealously
Thy fold, with mercy tender;
Thou hast redeemed us with Thy blood,
Thou art our only Trust and Good,
In life and death our Savior.

3. Lord Holy Ghost, our thanks to Thee
In this new year we render,
For by Thy grace it is that we
Enjoy Thy Word’s pure splendor;
Thus Thou hast kindled from above
Within our hearts true faith and love
And other Christian virtues.

4. Our faithful God, we cry to Thee:
Still bless us with Thy favor,
Blot out all our iniquity,
And hide our sins forever;
Grant us a happy, good New Year
And, when the hour of death draws near,
A blest departure. Amen.

C. Schneegass, † 1597; A. Crull, tr.

171

9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8

Help me, O Lord! Behold, I enter
Upon another year to-day;
In Thee my hopes and thoughts now center,
Renew my courage for the way:
New life, new strength, new happiness
I ask of Thee, O hear and bless!

2. May every plan and undertaking
This year be all begun with Thee;
When I am sleeping or am waking,
Still let me know Thou art with me;
Abroad do Thou my footsteps guide,
At home be ever at my side.

3. Be this a time of grace and pardon;
Thy rod I take with willing mind,
But suffer naught my heart to harden;
O let me now Thy mercy find;
In Thee alone, my God, I live,
Thou only canst my sins forgive.

4. And may this year to me be holy;
Thy grace so fill my every thought
That all my life be pure and lowly
And truthful as a Christian’s ought;
So make me, while yet dwelling here,
Pious and blest from year to year.

5. And grant, Lord, when the year is over,
That it for me in peace may close;
In all things care for me and cover
My head in time of fear and woes;
So may I, when my years are gone,
Appear with joy before Thy throne.

J. Rist, 1642; C. Winkworth, tr.

172

C. M.

O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Thy word commands our flesh to dust:
“Return, ye sons of men!”
All nations rose from earth at first
And turn to earth again.

6. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

7. Like flowery fields the nations stand,
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ’tis night.

8. O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guard while troubles last
And our eternal Home.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

173

L. M.

The old year now hath passed away,
We thank Thee, Christ, our Lord, to-day
That Thou hast kept us through the year
When danger and distress were near.

2. We pray Thee, O eternal Son,
Who with the Father reign’st as one,
To guard and rule Thy Christendom
Through all the ages yet to come.

3. Take not Thy saving Word away,
Our souls’ true comfort, staff, and stay;
Abide with us and keep us free
From all false doctrines graciously.

4. O help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holier course begin;
From last year’s sins, Lord, hide Thy face,
In this new year grant us Thy grace,

5. That as true Christians we may live
Or die in peace that Thou wilt give,
To rise again when Thou shalt come,
And enter our eternal home.

J. Steuerlein, 1588; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

174

7s

Now let us come before Him,
With songs and prayers adore Him,
Who to our life from heaven
All needed strength hath given.

2. The stream of years is flowing,
And we are onward going,
From old to new surviving,
And by His mercy thriving.

3. In woe we often languish
And pass through times of anguish,
Of wars and trepidation,
Alarming every nation.

4. A faithful mother keepeth
Guard while her infant sleepeth,
Its fear and grief assuaging
When angry storms are raging.

5. Thus God His children shieldeth
And full protection yieldeth;
When need and woe distress them,
His loving arms caress them.

6. In vain is all our doing;
The labor we’re pursuing
In our hands prospers never
Unless God watches ever.

7. Our song to Thee ascendeth,
Whose mercy never endeth;
Our thanks to Thee we render,
Who art our strong Defender.

8. O God of mercy, hear us;
Our Father, be Thou near us;
Mid crosses and in sadness
Be Thou our Fount of gladness.

9. To all that bow before Thee
And for Thy grace implore Thee,
O grant Thy benediction
And patience in affliction.

10. With richest blessings crown us.
In all our ways, Lord, own us;
Give grace, who grace bestowest
To all, e’en to the lowest.

11. To all forlorn be Father,
Thy erring children gather,
And of the poor and needy
Be Thou the Helper speedy.

12. Grant help to all afflicted;
And to the souls dejected,
By melancholy haunted,
May cheerful thoughts be granted!

13. O Lord, assistance lend us,
Thy Holy Spirit send us
That He may make us glorious
And lead to Thee victorious.

14. All this Thy hand bestoweth,
Thou Life, whence our life floweth;
To me and all believers
Grant, Lord, these New Year’s favors.

Paul Gerhardt, † 1676; J. Kelly, tr., a.

CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.

175

S. M.

The year begins with Thee,
And Thou begin’st with woe
To let the world of sinners see
That blood for sin must flow.

2. Thine infant cries, O Lord,
Thy tears upon the breast
Are not enough; the legal sword
Must do its stern behest.

3. Seemeth it strange to me
My own will to deny?
Seemeth it sad, my soul, to thee
Under the yoke to lie?

4. I look, and hold my peace:
The Giver of all good
E’en from His birth takes no release
From suffering, tears, and blood.

5. That I may reap in love,
Help me to sow in fear;
So life a winter’s morn may prove
To a bright endless year.

J. Keble, 1827, a.

176

S. M.

The ancient Law departs,
And all its terrors cease;
For Jesus makes with faithful hearts
A covenant of peace.

2. The Light of light divine,
True brightness undefiled,
He bears for us the shame of sin,
A holy, spotless Child.

3. His infant body now
Begins our pain to feel;
Those precious drops of blood that flow
For death the victim seal.

4. To-day the name is Thine
At which we bend the knee.
They call Thee Jesus, Child Divine;
Our Jesus deign to be.

5. All praise, eternal Son,
For Thy redeeming love,
With Father, Spirit, ever one,
In glorious might above.

Abbé Besnault, 1736.

177

L. M.

O sacred day, when first was poured
The blood of our redeeming Lord!
O solemn day, when first began
His sufferings for sinful man!

2. Just born into this world of woe,
His blood for man was made to flow.
His future death was thus expressed;
Thus, too, His early love confessed.

3. From heaven descending to fulfil
The mandates of His Father’s will,
E’en now behold the Victim lie,
The Lamb of God, prepared to die.

4. Beneath the knife behold the Child,
The Innocent, the Undefiled;
For captives He the ransom pays,
For lawless man the Law obeys.

5. Lord, circumcise our hearts, we pray,
Our fleshly natures purge away;
Thy name, Thy likeness, may we bear;
O stamp Thy holy image there.

Abbé Besnault, 1736; J. Chandler, tr., a.

178

7s

Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Name all other names above,
Unto which must every knee
Bow in deep humility.

2. Jesus! Name decreed of old,
To the maiden mother told,
Kneeling in her lowly cell,
By the angel Gabriel.

3. Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen sons of earth,
For the promise that it gave,—
“Jesus shall His people save.”

4. Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child
When the cup of human woe
First He tasted here below.

5. Jesus! Only name that’s given
Under all the mighty heaven
Whereby man, to sin enslaved,
Bursts his fetters and is saved.

6. Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above.
Pleading only this, we flee,
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.

W. W. How, 1854, a.

EPIPHANY.

179

7, 6, 8 l

O Jesus, King of Glory!
Both David’s Lord and Son!
Thy realm endures forever,
In heaven is fixed Thy throne;
Help that in earth’s dominions,
Throughout from pole to pole,
Thy realm may spread salvation
To each benighted soul!

2. The Eastern sages, bringing
Their tribute-gifts to Thee,
Bear witness to Thy kingdom
And humbly bow the knee.
To Thee the star is pointing,
To Thee, Incarnate Word;
Hence joyously we hail Thee:
Our Savior and our Lord!

3. Thou art a mighty Monarch,
As by the Word we’re told,
Yet carest Thou but little
For earthly goods or gold;
On no proud steed Thou ridest,
Thou wear’st no jeweled crown,
Nor dwell’st in lordly castle,
But bearest scoff and frown.

4. Yet art Thou decked with beauty,
With rays of glorious light;
Thou ever teem’st with goodness,
And all Thy ways are right.
Vouchsafe to shield Thy people
With Thine almighty arm
That they may dwell in safety
From those who mean them harm.

5. Ah, look on me with pity,
Though I am weak and poor,
Admit me to Thy kingdom,
To dwell there, blest and sure!

I pray Thee, guide and keep me
Safe from my bitter foes,
From sin and death and Satan;
Free me from all my woes.

6. And bid Thy Word within me
Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine
Forever from me far.
Help me confess Thee truly
And with Thy Christendom
Here own Thee King and Savior
And in the world to come.

Martin Behm, 1606.

180

L. M.

The Star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
He takes no realms of earth away
Who gives the realms of heavenly day.

2. The wiser Magi see from far
And follow on His guiding star;
And led by light to light they press
And by their gifts their God confess.

3. Within the Jordan’s crystal flood
In meekness stands the Lamb of God
And, sinless, sanctifies the wave,
Mankind from sin to cleanse and save.

4. At Cana first His power is shown;
His might the blushing waters own
And, changing, as He speaks the word,
Flow wine, obedient to their Lord.

5. All glory, Jesus, be to Thee
For this Thy glad Epiphany;
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.

From the Latin of Sedulius, 5th cent.; J. N. Neale, tr. 1852, a.

181

11, 10, 11, 10

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall:
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!

3. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Reginald Heber, 1811.

182

8, 7, 8 l

Hail, Thou Source of every blessing,
Sovereign Father of mankind!
Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing,
In Thy courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before Thee,
In Thy Church obtain a place;
Now by faith behold Thy glory,
Praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.

2. Once far off, but now invited,
We approach Thy sacred throne;
In Thy covenant united,
Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to Eastern sages,
See the star of mercy shine;
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.

3. Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their offerings bring;
In Thy temple seek Thy favor.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to Thy praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise!

Basil Wood, 1813.

183

7s 6 l

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by Thee.

2. As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed.
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy-seat.

3. As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

4. Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

5. In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!

W. C. Dix, 1860.

184

7s 8 l

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David’s stem,
In Thy birth at Bethlehem.
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

2. Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,
And at Cana, wedding-guest,
In Thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine,
Changing water into wine.
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

3. Manifest in making whole
Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight,
Quelling all the devil’s might;
Manifest in gracious will,
Ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

4. Sun and moon shall darkened be,
Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
All will see His glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear,
All will see the Judge appear;
Thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

5. Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Present in Thy holy Word;
May we imitate Thee now
And be pure as pure art Thou,
That we like to Thee may be
At Thy great Epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.

C. Wordsworth, 1862.

PRESENTATION OF CHRIST.

185

8, 5, 8, 4, 7, 7

In peace and joy I now depart
At God’s disposing;
For full of comfort is my heart,
Soft reposing.
So the Lord hath promised me,
And death is but a slumber.

2. ’Tis Christ that wrought this work for me.
The faithful Savior,
Whom Thou hast made mine eyes to see
By Thy favor.
Now I know He is my Life,
My Help in need and dying.

3. Him Thou hast unto all set forth
Their great Salvation,
And to His kingdom called the earth,
Every nation,
By Thy dear and wholesome Word,
In every place resounding.

4. He is the Hope and saving Light
Of lands benighted;
By Him are they who dwelt in night
Fed and lighted;
He is Israel’s Praise and Bliss,
Their Joy, Reward, and Glory.

Martin Luther, 1524; L. W. Bacon, tr., a.

186

8, 7, 6 l

In His Temple now behold Him,
See the long-expected Lord;
Ancient prophets had foretold Him,
God has now fulfilled His word.
Now to praise Him, His redeemed
Shall break forth with one accord.

2. In the arms of her who bore Him,
Virgin pure, behold Him lie,
While His aged saints adore Him
Ere in faith and hope they die.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lo, th’ incarnate God most high.

3. Jesus, by Thy presentation,
Thou, who didst for us endure,
Make us see our great salvation,
Seal us with Thy promise sure,
And present us in Thy glory
To Thy Father, cleansed and pure.

H. J. Pye, 1853.

187

8, 7, 6 l

Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship;
Worship Christ, the new-born King.

2. Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the heav’nly Light:
Come and worship,
Come and worship;
Worship Christ, the new-born King.

3. Sages, leave your contemplations;
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship,
Come and worship;
Worship Christ, the new-born King.

4. Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship;
Worship Christ, the new-born King.

James Montgomery, 1816, a.

188

L. M.

O dearest Jesus, Thee I pray:
Within my heart now make Thy stay,
That I, like Simeon of old,
By faith may gladly Thee enfold.

2. Thou art my Life and Happiness,
Whom God hath sent my soul to bless;
O cleanse and purify my heart
That from Thy paths I ne’er depart.

3. Lord, with Thy light show me the way
That never I may go astray;
Ward off all sorrow and despair
And let me be Thine own fore’er.

4. Lift up Thy face upon me, Lord,
In life and death Thy help afford;
Then I’ll depart most cheerfully
This life whene’er it pleaseth Thee.

John Mylius, 1596; A. Crull, tr.

189

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 (Iambic)

Thank God! my Jesus cleanseth me
From all sins I committed;
He paid my debt and set me free,
I, therefore, am acquitted
Of sin’s and Satan’s bondage fell.
My faith now laughs at death and hell,
Because my life is Jesus.

2. Why should I grieve? He who fulfilled
The Law, thus to release us,
He who His Father’s wrath has stilled
By His own death, this Jesus
Still liveth, and all that He hath
He giveth unto me through faith;
Is there a greater treasure?

3. Because my Jesus cleanseth me
From sin by His own merit,
I am from pain and fear set free,
Death cannot daunt my spirit;
I trust in Jesus’ righteousness,
His innocence and blessedness
Are now my life and treasure.

4. Now I, like Simeon, can end
My life in peace and gladness,
And to my God I can commend
My spirit without sadness;
For when my weary eyes I close,
My death becomes a sweet repose,
I see the joys of heaven.

5. How happy, therefore, shall I be
When life’s frail thread is broken;
When holy angels carry me
To joys that ne’er were spoken;
When I behold Him face to face,
When I have gained that blessed place,
Prepared for me by Jesus.

6. Lord, grant that e’er prepared I be,
That naught from Thee me sever.
And when I die, let me with Thee
In glory live forever;
Come quickly to deliver me,
Lord, by Thy death and agony.
Yea, come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

J. Olearius, 1671; A. Crull, tr.

190

7, 6, 8 l

Light of the Gentile nations,
Thy people’s Joy and Love!
Drawn by Thy Spirit hither,
We gladly come to prove
Thy presence in Thy temple
And seek with earnest mind,
As Simeon once had waited
His Savior God to find.

2. Yea, Lord, Thy servants meet Thee,
E’en now, in every place
Where Thy true Word hath promised
That they should see Thy face.
Thou yet wilt gladly grant us,
Who gather round Thee here,
In faith’s strong arms to bear Thee,
As did that aged seer.

3. Be Thou our Joy, our Brightness,
That shines mid pain and loss,
Our Sun in times of terror,
The Glory round our cross;
A Glow in sinking spirits,
A Sunbeam in distress,
Physician, Friend, in sickness;
In death, our Happiness.

4. Let us, O Lord, be faithful
Like Simeon to the end,
So that his dying anthem
May from our hearts ascend:
“O Lord, now let Thy servant
Depart in peace, I pray,
Since I have seen my Savior,
Have here beheld His day.”

5. My Savior, I behold Thee
Now with the eye of faith;
No foe of Thee can rob me,
Though bitter words he saith.
Within Thy heart abiding,
As Thou dost dwell in me,
No pain, no death, has terrors
To part my soul from Thee.

6. Lord, here on earth Thou seemest
At times to frown on me,
And through my tears I often
Can scarce distinguish Thee;
But in the heavenly mansions
Shall nothing dim my sight,
And I shall see forever
Thine always glorious light.

J. Franck, 1674; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

PASSION OF CHRIST.

GENERAL.

191

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7

A lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of all men bearing;
’Tis laden with the sin of earth,
None else the burden sharing;
It goes its way, grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
Its spotless life to offer;
Bears shame, and stripes, and wounds, and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith,
“Willing all this I suffer.”

2. This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great Friend
And everlasting Savior;
Him, Him God chose sin’s reign to end
And bring us to His favor.
“Go forth, My Son!” He said, “and bail
The children who are doomed to hell
But for Thine intercession.
The punishment is great, and dread
The wrath, but Thou Thy blood shalt shed
And save them from perdition.”

3. “Yea, Father, yea, most willingly
I’ll bear what Thou commandest;
My will conforms to Thy decree,
I do what Thou demandest.”
O wondrous Love, what hast Thou done!
The Father offers up His Son,
The Son, content, descendeth!
O Love, O Love, how strong art Thou!
In shroud and grave Thou lay’st Him low
Whose word the mountains rendeth.

4. Thou lay’st Him, Love, upon the cross,
With nails and spear Him bruising;
Thou slay’st Him as a lamb, His loss
From soul and body oozing;
From body ’tis the crimson flood
Of precious sacrificial blood;
From soul, the strength of anguish.
My gain it is; sweet Lamb to Thee
What can I give, whose love to me
For me doth make Thee languish?

5. Lord, all my life I’ll cleave to Thee,
Thy love fore’er beholding,
Thee ever, as Thou ever me,
With loving arms enfolding.
Yea, Thou shalt be my Beacon-light
To guide me safe through death’s dark night
And cheer my heart in sorrow.
Henceforth myself and all that’s mine
To Thee, my Savior, I consign,
From whom all things I borrow.

6. From morn till eve my theme shall be
Thy mercy’s wondrous measure;
To sacrifice myself to Thee,
My foremost aim and pleasure.
My stream of life shall flow for Thee,
Its steadfast current ceaselessly
In praise to Thee outpouring;
And all that Thou hast done for me
I’ll treasure in my memory,
Thy gracious love adoring.

7. Enlarge, shrine of my heart, and swell,
To thee shall now be given
A treasure that doth far excel
The worth of earth and heaven.
Away with the Arabian gold,
With treasures of an earthly mold!
I’ve found a better jewel.
My priceless treasure, Lord, my God,
Is Thy most holy, precious blood,
Which flowed from wounds so cruel.

8. This treasure ever I’ll employ,
This every aid shall yield me;
In sorrow it shall be my joy,
In conflict it shall shield me;
In joy, the music of my feast,
And when all else has lost its zest,
This manna still shall feed me;
In thirst my drink; in want my food;
My company in solitude,
To comfort and to lead me.

9. Death’s poison cannot harm me now,
Thy blood new life bestoweth;
My Shadow from the heat art Thou,
When noonday’s sunlight gloweth.
When I’m by inward grief opprest,
On Thee my weary soul shall rest,
As sick men on their pillows.
Thou art my Anchor, when by woe
My bark is driven to and fro
On trouble’s restless billows.

10. And when Thy glory I shall see
And taste Thy kingdom’s pleasure,
Thy blood my royal robe shall be
And joy beyond all measure;
It then shall be my glorious crown,
Thus I’ll appear before the throne
Of God and need not hide me;
And shall, by Him to Thee betrothed,
By Thee in bridal garments clothed,
Stand as a bride beside Thee.

Paul Gerhardt, 1653.

192

7, 6, 8 l

Jesus, I will ponder now
On Thy holy Passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Thy suffering, pain, and death,
That I may not perish.

2. Make me see Thy great distress,
Anguish, and affliction,
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness
And Thy crucifixion;
Make me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails did wound Thee,
How for man Thou diedst, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned Thee.

3. Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see Thy Passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought Thy deep affliction;
This the cause alone hath been
Of Thy crucifixion.

4. Grant that I Thy Passion view
With repentant grieving
Nor Thee crucify anew
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Every sinful pleasure
Since for me God’s only Son
Suffered without measure?

5. If my sins give me alarm
And my conscience grieve me,
Let Thy cross my fear disarm,
Peace of conscience give me.
Grant that I may trust in Thee
And Thy holy Passion.
If His Son so loveth me,
God must have compassion.

6. Grant that I may willingly
Bear with Thee my crosses,
Learning humbleness of Thee,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give Thee love for love.
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heaven above
Sing Thy praise forever.

Sigmund von Birken, 1653; A. Crull, tr.

193

L. M.

To Thee, Lord Jesus, thanks we give,
Who diedst for us that we might live
And through Thy holy, precious blood
Hast made us righteous before God.

2. We pray Thee, O true God and Man,
Who wast for our offenses slain:
Save us from everlasting death
And cheer us when we yield our breath.

3. Defend us, Lord, from sin and shame;
Help us by Thine almighty name
To bear our crosses patiently,
To trust in Thy great agony,

4. And thence the full assurance gain
That Thou wilt e’er our Friend remain
And not forsake us in our strife
Until we enter into life.

Chr. Fischer, c. 1568; A. Crull, tr., a.

194

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8

Jesus, grant that balm and healing
In Thy holy wounds I find,
Every hour that I am feeling
Pains of body and of mind.
Should some evil thought upstart,
Let Thy cross defend my heart,
Show the peril and from sinning
Keep me ere its first beginning.

2. Should some lust or sharp temptation
Prove too strong for flesh and blood,
Let me think upon Thy Passion,
And the breach is soon made good.
Or should Satan make his way
To my heart, O let me say:
“Jesus Christ for me was wounded,”
And the Tempter flees confounded.

3. If the world my heart entices
On the broad and easy road,
Filled with mirth and pleasant vices,
Let me think upon the load
Thou didst once for me endure,
That I flee all thoughts impure,
Banishing each wild emotion,
Calm and blest in my devotion.

4. Yes, whate’er may pain or grieve me,
Let Thy wounds, Lord, make me whole.
When I’m faint, let them revive me,
Granting new life to my soul.
May Thy comfort render sweet
Every bitter cup I meet,
Thou, who by Thy death and Passion
Hast procured my soul’s salvation!

5. O my God, my Rock and Tower!
Grant that in Thy death I trust,
Knowing Death has lost his power
Since Thou trod’st him in the dust.
Savior, let Thine agony
Ever help and comfort me;
Let Thy death be my protection,
Safety, life, and resurrection.

6. Jesus, grant that balm and healing
In Thy holy wounds I find,
Every hour that I am feeling
Pains of body and of mind;
And when I this world must leave,
Grant that, Lord, to Thee I cleave,
In Thy wounds find consolation,
And obtain my soul’s salvation.

J. Heermann, 1644, a.

195

L. M.

Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light,
My Strength by day, my Trust by night,
On earth I’m but a passing guest
And sorely with my sins opprest.

2. Far off I see my fatherland,
Where through Thy blood I hope to stand.
But ere I reach that Paradise,
A weary way before me lies.

3. My heart sinks at the journey’s length,
My wasted flesh has little strength,
My soul alone still cries in me:
“Lord, take me home, take me to Thee!”

4. O let Thy sufferings give me power
To meet the last and darkest hour;
Thy sweat refresh and comfort me,
Thy bonds and fetters make me free!

5. The blows and stripes that fell on Thee
Heal up the wounds of sin in me;
Thy crown of thorns, Thy foes’ mad spite,
Let be my glory and delight.

6. That thirst and bitter draught of Thine
Cause me to bear with patience mine;
Thy piercing cry uphold my soul
When floods of anguish o’er me roll.

7. O let Thy holy wounds for me
Clefts in the rock forever be
Where as a dove my soul can hide
And safe from Satan’s rage abide.

8. And when my lips grow white and chill,
Thy Spirit cry within me still
And help my soul Thy heaven to find
When these poor eyes grow dark and blind.

9. And when my spirit flies away,
Thy dying words shall be my stay.
Let me depart with peaceful brow
When I in death my head shall bow.

10. Thy cross shall be my staff in life,
Thy holy grave my rest from strife;
The winding-sheet that covered Thee,
Oh, let it be a shroud for me!

11. Lord, in Thy nail-prints let me read
That Thou to save me hast decreed,
And grant that in Thy opened side
My troubled soul may ever hide.

12. Since Thou hast died, the Pure, the Just,
I take my homeward way in trust.
The gates of heaven, Lord, open wide
When here I may no more abide.

13. And when the last Great Day shall come
And Thou, our Judge, shalt speak the doom,
Let me with joy behold the light
And set me then upon Thy right.

14. Renew this wasted flesh of mine
That like the sun it there may shine
Among the angels pure and bright,
Yea, like Thyself in glorious light.

15. Ah, then I’ll have my heart’s desire,
When, singing with the angels’ choir,
Among the ransomed of Thy grace,
Forever I’ll behold Thy face!

Martin Behm, 1603.

196

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7, 7

Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ, the Death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe,
Madest reconciliation
And hast saved me from damnation:
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

2. Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
O Thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst Thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

3. Thou hast borne the smiting only
That my wounds might all be whole;
Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
Blessing unto me securing.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

4. Heartless scoffers did surround Thee,
Treating Thee with cruel scorn,
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee;
All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne
That as Thine Thou mightest own me
And with heavenly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

5. Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee
That from pain I might be free;
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee—
Thence I gain security;
Comfortless once Thou didst languish
Me to comfort in my anguish.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

6. Thou hast suffered great affliction
And hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion,
Fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented
That my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

E. C. Homburg, 1659.

197

7, 6, 7, 6, 8, 7, 6

When o’er my sins I sorrow,
Lord, I will look to Thee
And hence my comfort borrow
That Thou wast slain for me;
Yea, Lord, Thy precious blood was spilt
For me, O most unworthy,
To take away my guilt.

2. Oh, what a marvelous offering!
Behold! the Master spares
His servants, and their suffering
And grief for them He bears.
God stoopeth from His throne on high;
For me, His guilty creature,
He deigns as man to die.

3. My manifold transgression
Henceforth can harm me none,
Since Jesus’ bloody Passion
For me God’s grace hath won.
His precious blood my debts hath paid;
Of hell and all its torments
I am no more afraid.

4. Therefore I will forever
Give glory unto Thee,
O Jesus, loving Savior,
For what Thou didst for me.
I’ll spend my breath in songs of thanks
For Thy sad cry, Thy sufferings,
Thy wrongs, Thy guiltless death.

5. Lord, let Thy woes, Thy patience,
My heart with strength inspire
To vanquish all temptations
And spurn all base desire.
This thought I fain would cherish most—
What pain my soul’s redemption
Hath Thee, O Savior, cost.

6. Whate’er may be the burden,
The cross here on me laid,
Be shame or want my guerdon,
I’ll bear it with Thine aid.
Give patience, give me strength to take
Thee for my bright example
And all the world forsake.

7. And let me do to others
As Thou hast done to me:
Love all men as my brothers
And serve them willingly,
With ready heart, nor seek my own,
But as Thou, Lord, hast helped us,
From purest love alone.

J. Gesenius, 1646; C. Winkworth, tr., a.

198

11, 11, 11, 5

Beloved Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
Of what transgression?

2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.

3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe Thou dost inherit,
’Tis I do merit.

4. What strangest punishment is suffered yonder?
The Shepherd dies for sheep that love to wander;
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not own Him.

5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,—
God is committed.

6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.

7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.

8. O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?

9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder
Thy woes; Thy mercy still transcends our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?

10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.

11. But since my own strength never will suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!

12. I think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.

13. Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.

14. But, worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.

15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.

From the Latin of Anselm of Canterbury;
J. Heermann, † 1647. C. Winkworth, tr., a.

199

7s 6 l

Go to dark Gethsemane,
Ye that feel the Tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see,
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away,
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

2. Follow to the judgment-hall,
View the Lord of life arraigned;
Oh, the wormwood and the gall!
Oh, the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
Learn of Him to bear the cross.

3. Calvary’s mournful mountain climb;
There, adoring at His feet,
Mark that miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete.
“It is finished!” hear Him cry;
Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

4. Early hasten to the tomb
Where they laid His breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom,—
Who hath taken Him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes.
Savior, teach us so to rise.

James Montgomery, 1825.

200

C. M.

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.

2. The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there have I, as vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.

3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed Church of God
Be saved to sin no more.

4. E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme
And shall be till I die.

5. Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave.

W. Cowper, 1771.

201

7, 6, 8 l

O bleeding Head, and wounded,
And full of pain and scorn,
In mockery surrounded
With cruel crown of thorn!
O Head, once crowned with glory
And heavenly majesty,
But now despised and gory;
Yet here I welcome Thee!

2. Men spit upon and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art Thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How does Thy visage languish
Which once was bright as morn!

3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Pale Death, with cruel rigor,
Bereaveth Thee of life;
Thus losest Thou Thy vigor
And strength in this sad strife.

4. My burden, in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee,
Redeemer, spurn me not!

5. My Shepherd, now receive me!
My Guardian, own me Thine!
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With milk and sweetest food;
Thy Spirit oft has led me
To stores of heavenly good.

6. Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death’s last fatal grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.