I just came across this hymn by Martin Luther.\u00a0 From what I could uncover the translator (into English) is unknown.\u00a0 This is a good word in preparation for corporate worship in the morning.<\/p>\n
1. Dear Christians, let us now rejoice,
\nAnd dance in joyous measure;
\nThat, of good cheer, and with one voice,
\nWe sing in love and pleasure
\nOf what to us our God hath shown,
\nAnd the sweet wonder he hath done:
\nFull dearly hath he bought it!<\/p>\n
2. Forlorn and lost in death I lay
\nA captive to the devil;
\nMy sin lay heavy, night and day,
\nFor I was born in evil.
\nI fell but deeper for my strife
\nThere was no good in all my life,
\nFor sin had all-possessed me.<\/p>\n
3. My good works they were worthless quite,
\nA mock was all my merit;
\nMy free will hates God’s judging light,
\nTo all good dead and buried.
\nMe to despair my anguish drove,
\nDown unto death my soul did shove:
\nI must be plunged in hell-fire!<\/p>\n
4. Then God was sorry on his throne
\nTo see such torment rend me;
\nHis tender mercy he thought on,
\nAnd his good help would send me.
\nHe turned to me his father-heart:
\nAh, then was His no easy part;
\nHis very best it cost him!<\/p>\n
5. To his dear son he said: Go down;
\nThings go in piteous fashion;
\nGo thou, my heart’s exalted crown,
\nBe the poor man’s salvation.
\nLift him from out sin’s scorn and scathe;
\nStrangle for him that cruel Death,
\nAnd take him to live with thee.<\/p>\n
6. The son he heard obediently;
\nAnd, by a maiden mother,
\nPure, tender – down he came to me,
\nFor he must be my brother!
\nConcealed he brought his strength enorm,
\nAnd went about in my poor form,
\nMeaning to catch the devil.<\/p>\n
7. He said unto me: Hold by me,
\nThy matters I will settle;
\nI give myself all up for thee,
\nAnd I will fight thy battle.
\nFor I am thine, and thou art mine,
\nAnd my house also shall be thine;
\nThe enemy shall not part us.<\/p>\n
8. Like water he will shed my blood,
\nOf life my heart bereaving;
\nAll this I suffer for thy good-
\nThat hold with firm believing;
\nMy Life shall swallow up that Death;
\nMy innocence bears thy sins, He saith,
\nSo henceforth thou art happy.<\/p>\n
9. To heaven unto my Father high,
\nFrom this life I am going;
\nBut there thy master still am I,
\nMy spirit on thee bestowing,
\nWhose comfort shall thy trouble quell,
\nAnd teach thy heart to know me well,
\nThee into all truth guiding.<\/p>\n
10. What I have done, what I have said,
\nThou must go doing, teaching;
\nThat so the kingdom of God may spread,
\nTo His praise all men reaching.
\nBut take heed what men bid thee do-
\nThat will corrupt the treasure true:
\nWith this last word I leave thee. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I just came across this hymn by Martin Luther.\u00a0 From what I could uncover the translator (into English) is unknown.\u00a0 This is a good word in preparation for corporate worship in the morning. 1. Dear Christians, let us now rejoice, And dance in joyous measure; That, of good cheer, and with one voice, We sing …<\/p>\n