FW: Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah* (Kelly’s translation, updated)

Cantemus…

 

Feed: HYMNOGLYPT
Posted on: Friday, October 14, 2011 12:53 PM
Author: Matt Carver (Matthaeus Glyptes)
Subject: Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah* (Kelly's translation, updated)

 

Here is hymn #432 in Walther's hymnal, "Die Zeit ist nunmehr nah" (P. Gerhardt, 1653), translated by J. Kelly, formerly appointed for Trinity XXVII (Matt. XV). I offer my own emendation, update, and recommended cento (about 3 minutes instead of 4 minutes). Schamelius (the first publisher) gave it the title: "Sweet Thoughts on the Entrance to Eternal Life at Christ's Last Coming." Tune: Auf meinen lieben Gott. THE TIME is very near When, Lord, You will be here; The signs of which You've spoken Your advent should betoken; We've seen them oft fulfilling In number beyond telling. 2. What shall I do then, Lord, But rest upon Your Word, The promise You have given That You will come from heaven, Me from the grave deliver And from all woe forever? 3. O Jesus Christ, how fair Will be my portion there! The welcome You'll address me, Your glances, how they'll bless me, When I, the earth forsaking, My flight to You am taking. 4. Oh, what will be the word You'll speak, my Shepherd Lord! What will be then Your greeting, Me and my brethren meeting? Your members You will own us, And near Yourself enthrone us. (5) 7. I'll see then and adore Your body's bruises sore, Whereon our faith is founded— The prints of nails that wounded Your hands and feet be greeting, Your gaze with rapture meeting. (6) 8. O Lord, alone You know, The joys so pure that flow In life's unfailing river In paradise forever, You can portray and show them: By faith alone I know them. (7) 9. What I've believed stands sure, And shall remain secure; My part that wealth surpasses Which here the rich amasses; All other wealth will wither, My portion holds together. (8) 11. You'll say, "Come, taste and see, O child beloved by Me, Come, taste the gifts so precious I and my Father gracious Can give you without measure, Come, bask in endless pleasure!" (9) 16. How sad, O Lord, am I, Till I shall see on high You come in glory hither To bring Your Church together; Were You but now revealing Yourself, my wish fulfilling! (10) 17. The time is known to You; This is my action due: To be prepared for going, And all things so be doing, That every moment even My heart may be in heaven. (11) 18. This grant, Lord, and me bless, That so Your truth and grace May keep me ever waking, Lest Your day, overtaking Me unawares, affright me, But may, O Lord, delight me. Translation J. Kelly, alt. by M. Carver, 2011. J. KELLY'S FULL TRANSLATION: THE TIME is very near When, Lord, Thou wilt be here The signs whereof Thou'st spoken Thine advent should betoken, We've seen them oft fulfilling In number beyond telling.   2. What shall I do then, Lord,  But rest upon Thy Word,  The promise Thou hast given  That Thou wilt come from heaven,  Me from the grave deliver  And from all woe forever?   3. Ah! Jesus Christ, how fair  Will be my portion there!  The welcome Thou'lt address me,  Thy glances, how they'll bless me,  When I the earth forsaking,  My flight to You am taking.   4. Ah! what will be the word  Thou'lt speak, my Shepherd Lord!  What will be then Thy greeting,  Me and my brethren meeting?  Thy members Thou wilt own us,  And near Thyself enthrone us.   5. And in that blessed hour,  How shall I have the pow'r  Mine eyelids dry of keeping,  How tears of joy from weeping  Refrain, that flowing over  My cheeks, like floods would cover?   6. And what a beauteous light  Will from Thy face so bright  Beam on me, then in heaven,  when sight of Thee is given,  Thy goodness then me filling,  Joy will my breast be swelling.   7. I'll see then and adore  Thy body bruisèd sore,  Whereon our faith is founded,  The prints of nails that wounded  Thy hands and feet be greeting,  Thy gaze with rapture meeting.   8. Thou, Lord, alone dost know,  The joys so pure that flow  In life's unfailing river  In paradise forever,  Thou canst portray and show them:  By faith alone I know them.   9. What I've believed stands sure,  Remaineth aye secure;  My part the wealth surpasseth,  The richest here amasseth;  All other wealth decayeth,  My portion ever stayeth.   10. My God, my fairest Part!  How will my bounding heart  With joy be overflowing,  Praise evermore renewing,  When through the door of heaven  By Thee is entrance given?   11. Thou'lt say, "Come, taste and see,  Oh! Child beloved by Me,  Come, taste the gifts so precious  I and my Father gracious  Have to bestow, come hither,  In pleasure bask for ever."   12. Alas, thou world so poor!  Of wealth, what is thy store?  Mean is it to be holden,  Compared with all the golden  Crowns and thrones Jesus placeth  For whom He loves and graceth.   13. Here is the angel's home,  Blest spirits hither come,  Here naught is heard but singing,  Naught seen but joy up-springing,  No cross, no death, no sorrow,  No parting on the morrow.   14. Hold, hold, my sense so weak!  What dost thou think and speak,  What's fathomless, art sounding?  What's measureless, art bounding?  Here must man's wit be bending,  The eloquent be ending.   15. Lord, I delight in Thee!  Thou ne'er shalt go from me.  Thy hand in bounty giveth  More than my heart conceiveth,  Or I can e'er be counting,  So high Thy mercy's mounting.   16. How sad, O Lord, am I,  Until I from on high  See Thee in glory hither  Come, Thine own to deliver;  Wert Thou but now revealing  Thyself, my wish fulfilling!   17. The time is known to Thee;  It best becometh me  To be prepared for going,  And all things so be doing,  That every moment even  My heart may be in heaven.   18. This grant, Lord, and me bless,  That so Thy truth and grace  May keep me ever waking,  That Thy day not o'ertaking  Me unawares, affright me,  But may, O Lord, delight me.   GERMAN Gesangbuch.org

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FW: A New Hymnal for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya

Kenya…

 

Feed: Stand Firm
Posted on: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 4:00 AM
Author: Scott Diekmann
Subject: A New Hymnal for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya

 

Imagine sitting down in church to sing the next hymn – out of a Pentecostal hymnal, or out of a Lutheran hymnal that has no music, just words. That's what the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) have been doing. That's about to change.   The ELCK will soon have a new Lutheran hymnal, in their native language of Swahili. The group working on this project, the ELCK Hymnal Commission, officially began in 2009 with the assistance of Deaconess Sandra Rhein and three Concordia Theological Seminary faculty members with experience in producing a hymnal. The ELCK has around 100,000 members, but only 150 pastors, so the majority of these pastors serve multiple congregations. The lack of a proper hymnal, combined with the lack of a pastor on many Sundays, makes for a problematic situation. Deaconess Rhein writes: Bringing hymnody to the precious body of Christ, specifically to the suffering church of Kenya, would be a clear and effective form of human care and diakonia. Worry and despair, as the cause of many bodily afflictions related to depression and stress, can be overcome by the voice of the Gospel in hymnody. Consequently, providing hymnody, as part of a comprehensive solution and in conjunction with other forms of care, can be a fundamental way to care for the bodily needs of our brothers and sisters. The new hymnal, called Ibada Takatifu (Divine Service), is going to print in January of next year, with a first printing of 20,000 copies. They could certainly use our help in funding these hymnals. At a cost of $100 for 34 hymnals, that equates to about $3 per hymnal. What a unique opportunity for us to help spread the Gospel in a wonderful way, that will have an impact for decades to come. If you'd like to help, you can contribute online here, or mail a check to:   Concordia Theological Seminary 6600 N Clinton Fort Wayne IN 46825   In the memo line of the check, write "Kenyan Hymnal Project."   More information can be found on the Kenyan Hymnal Project blog.

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FW: Luther on the power of bishops

Luther…

 

Feed: Mercy Journeys with Pastor Harrison
Posted on: Sunday, October 09, 2011 3:39 PM
Author: Rev. Matt Harrison
Subject: Luther on the power of bishops

 

The same [Martin Luther]: "A bishop as bishop has no power [Macht] to impose on his church [Kirche] any law or ceremony [Satzung oder Ceremonie] unless the church [Kirche] consents either expressly or silently. Because the church [Kirche] is free and the queen [Herrscherin] (wife [Frau]), the bishops must not rule over the faith of the church [Kirchen] or burden and trouble it against its will. They are only servants and stewards [Diener und Haushalter], not lords of the church [Kirchen]. But if the church [Kirche], as one body with the bishop, agrees, they may impose on each other whatever they will if only godliness does not suffer from it; they also may abolish such things as they please. But this kind of power [Gewalt] the bishops do not seek; they want to rule [Herrschen] and have all things their own way [alles frei haben]. This we will not grant them, nor in any way will we become partakers of their injustice and oppression of the church [Kirchen] and the truth …. But with the Maccabeans it is clear that they did not alone prescribe their consecrations [Kirchweihe], but did so rather with the consent of the whole people [ganzen Volks]. Such a general agreement could have been cancelled by them, even though that would have been part of the secular order, in fact it was secular in nature because the Maccabeans ruled but in the end they acted with [the consent of] the people.   "Therefore, we will not allow the bishops by either ecclesiastical or secular right to issue to the church [Kirchen] any mandate [befehlen], even if this would be ever so just and pious. For they must not do any evil in order that something good may result from it. But if they want to proceed with force [Gewalt] and coercion, we must not obey or yield to them but rather die to preserve the distinction between these two kingdoms [Regimente], that is, for the will and command [Gestetz] of God and against such wickedness and sacrilege [Kirchenräubereien]" (21. 7. 1530 to Melanchthon; "Luther's Reply to Questions Concerning Human Laws Submitted by Melanchthon," 1530; Antwort an Melanchthon in Augsburg auf die ihm zugeschickten Fragen von den Menschensatzungen, vom Jahre 1530; Walch1, 16:1207-09; St. Louis, 16:1014; WA Br. V., 491; Aland Br. 1656).   From Walther's "Church and Office"

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FW: Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator

Cantemus…

 

Feed: HYMNOGLYPT
Posted on: Monday, October 10, 2011 7:54 PM
Author: Matt Carver (Matthaeus Glyptes)
Subject: Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator

 

At last, here is my translation of "Laus tibi, Christe, qui es Creator" (Gottschalk of Limburg, d. 1098.), the Sequence for S. Mary Magdalene. Too late for this year, but plenty early for next. I give it as found in Lossius' Psalmodia, with minor corrections from Migne, PL 141:1326f. Note that stanzas 6a and 6b have been reversed from the original order. It is unclear whether this occurs in Lossius by accident, though I see no apparent reason to have Mary come first in the contrast. In phrase 6b I have connected peccati nescius with the preceding, not the following, words. In both text and tune I have normalized the meter of some lines which are uneven or have abnormal stress in the Latin. O CHRIST, WE praise Thee, Who art the Maker and Redeemer, And the only Savior 2a. Of earth, heav'n, and ocean, Angel-choirs and humankind; 2b. Whom alone we worship And confess both God and Man. 3a. Who, on this earth found incarnate, Camest to save sinful men. 3b. And, though eternally sinless, Didst assume the form of sin. 4a. Of Thy flock, as the Canaanite woman, Thou didst visit Mary—her called Magdalene: 4b. At the table of Thy Divine Scripture, One bu crumbs, one a cup did revitalize. 5a. While all were reclining Of Simon the Leper's house, Thy feast foreshadowing, 5b. The Pharisee murmured As the woman tearfully Owned her iniquity. 6a. Her master's feet adoring, embracing, She bathed them in tears and dried them, With her loosened hair, them anointed With costly ointment, With kisses circled them. 6b. The sinner his fellow-soul despising, Of his sin ignorant; Thou the penitent hearing, absolvest, Yea, her Thou lovest, Her thus to beautify. 7a. These fair festivities Thou foundest pleasing, O Wisdom of the Trinity, 7b. Born of virginity, Yet not disdaining Sinful woman's piety. 8a. Thou by the Pharisee wast invited, By Mary's boundless banquet wast sated, 8b. She loved Thee much, and much was remitted, Who never after her error repeated. 9a. Thou drov'st from her seven devils, Working by Thy Spirit sevenfold, 9b. Thou to her first didst reveal Thee When Thou from the dead wast ris'n again. 10a. By her, O Christ, Thou showest Thy grafted Christendom, Who, though foreign-born, is summoned To the table of Thy progeny. 10b. Who, between the feasts of law and mercy interposed, Scorned by pharasaic judgment, Must e'er chafe of leprous heresy. 11a. Thou know'st her errors, Touched by her, erstwhile a sinner, Now a seeker of Thy mercy. 11b. What would she, ailing, Have, if she had not received it? Had not this Physician been there? 12. King of kings, rich unto all men: Oh, save us! Thou that blottest out all sinners' trespasses, Thou hope and glory_of all the saints! Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011. LATIN 1. Laus tibi Christe, qui es Creátor et Redémptor idem et Salvátor. 2a. Caeli, terrae, maris angelórum et hóminum 2b. –Quem solum Deum confitémur et hóminem. 3a. Qui peccatóres venísti ut salvos fáceres, 3b. Sine peccáto peccáti assúmens fórmulam. 4a. Quorum de grege ut C[h]ananaéam, Maríam visitásti Magdàlenam. 4b. Éadem ménsa vérbi divíni íllam mícis [hanc] réfovens póculis. 5a. In domo Simónis leprósi convíviis accú(m)bans typicis 5b. Múrmurat Pharisaéus, úbi plorat fémina críminis cónscia. (6a and 6b are reversed) 6a. Pedes ampléctitur Domínicos, lác(h)rymis lavat, tergit crínibus, lavándo, tergéndo unguénto unxit, ósculis círcuit. 6b. Peccátor contémnit compeccántem: peccáti néscius poeniténtem exáudis: emúndas foedam (ád)amas, ut pulchram fácias. 7a. Haec sunt convívia quae tibi placent, O Patris sapiéntia. 7b. Natus de Vírgine, qui non dedignátus [ = dedignáris] tangi à peccatrice. 8a. A Pharisaeo es invitátus: Maríae férculis saturátus. 8b. Multum dimíttis, multum amánti, nec crimen póstea repeténti. 9a. Daemóniis eam septem mundans septifórmi Spirítu. 9b. Ex mórtuis te [re]surgéntem das cunctis vidére priórem. 10. Hac Christe, prosélytam signas Ecclésiam, quam ad filiórum mensam vocas alienígenam. 10b. Quam inter convívia Legis et gratiae spernit Pharisaeus fastus quem lepra vexat haeretica. 11a. Qualis sit, tu scis, tangit te quia pec[c]átrix, quia veniae optátrix. 11b. Quidnam habéret aegra, si non accepísset, si non Médicus adésset. 12. Rex regum dives in omnes nos salva, peccatórum tergens cuncta crímina, sanctórum spes et glória.

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FW: Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich

Cantemus…

 

Feed: HYMNOGLYPT
Posted on: Thursday, October 06, 2011 2:06 PM
Author: Matt Carver (Matthaeus Glyptes)
Subject: Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich

 

Here is my translation of the hymn paraphrase "Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich" (J. Dachser, †1567), modeled, without much variation, on Inclina Domine (Psalm LXXXVI), which supplies the Introits for the 15th and 16th Sundays after Trinity according to the Lutheran use (cf. Lossius). Dachser, like many of the authors of psalm paraphrases later picked up by Lutherans, was Reformed. The tune is "O Herre Gott, begnade mich." BOW DOWN Thine ear, Lord, I implore! Hear me, who hopeless am and poor: Let me not be rejected, Who am Thy saint elected; God, help Thy servant who on Thee Depends and calls unceasingly And pleads: O Lord have mercy, I for Thy balm am thirsty. O Lord, my soul I raise to Thee, For Thou art good, of mercy free, Abounding in all steadfast love, To all who cry to Thee above: Lord God, receive my prayer! 2. Give ear, Lord, to my pray'r, I plead! On Thee I call in time of need, When trouble threatens near me, Then dost Thou ever hear me Among the gods is none like Thee. With all Thy deeds and majesty. The heathen shall before Thee Be gathered and adore Thee And give all glory to Thy name For Thou art great, Thy works have fame, And Thou art God eternally. Lead me, Lord, in Thy way that I May walk in Thy truth ever. 3. My heart let joy exceedingly To fear God's name. Thanks give I Thee With all my heart, O Savior, My Lord, who help'st ever. Unceasingly Thy name I praise, Great is to me Thy loving grace, Which brought my soul redemption, From deepest hell's damnation, The proud are risen up, O Lord, Against me, and the mighty horde Doth seek my soul; my death they prize, They set Thee not before their eyes, Nor find a cause to fear Thee. 4. But Thou, O God, art merciful Most gracious, and amenable, Thy truth and goodness send me, Lord, ever to defend me. Oh, turn and mercy have on me, Give me Thy servant, strength from Thee, Help to Thy maid's son showing For heavn'ly good bestowing A sign, that they which hate me may Perceive it and be shamed alway, For Thou, Lord God, with aid art nigh, In need my comfort dost supply If I but call upon Thee. Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011. GERMAN 1. Herr, neig dein Ohren, erhör mich, denn elend und dürftig bin ich, bhüt mein Seel unverhindert, denn ich bin dir abgsündert Hilf mein Gott deinem Knecht, der sich auf dich verläßt und ruft täglich zu dir: Herr, dich erbarme, tröst die Seel deines Armen, O Herr, mein Seel heb ich zu dir, dann du bist gut und gnädig mir, von grosser Güte allen den, die dich, Herr, treulich anrufen, mein Gott, vernimm mein Beten. 2. Merk auf die Stimme meiner Bitt, Herr Gott, ich ruf [dich] zur Zeit der Noth, wenn sich mein Angst thut mehr[en] [dann] thustu mich erhören. Untern Göttern ist keinr dein gleich, mit allem thun, so groß und reich, des werden für dich treten all Heiden und anbeten und deinem Namen geben Ehr, dann bist du groß und thust Wunder, und bist allein Gott ewiglich, leit mich, Herr, deinen Weg, daß ich, in deiner Wahrheit wandle. 3. Mein Herz freu sich zu fürchten sehr, deinen Namen ich danke dir Herr, mein Gott, von ganzem Herzen, dann du hilfst mir aus Schmerzen Ich lob dein Namen ewiglich, groß ist dein Güte über mich, du hast errett mein Seele, aus der untersten Helle, die Stolzen setzen sich, O Gott, wider mich, und die mächtig Rott steht meiner Seel nach alle Tritt, und setzen dich für Augen nit, daß sie sich darum fürchten. 4. Aber, Gott, du bist barmherzig, genädig und sehr langmütig, dein große Treu und Güte, Herr, mich allzeit behüte. Wend dich zu mir, erbarm dich mein, gib deinem Knecht die Stärke dein, hilf deinr Magd Sohn bevesten, und thu an mir zum besten ein Zeichen, daß es vernehmen, die mich hassen und sich schämen, daß du mir beistehest, Herr Gott, und tröstest mich in meiner Noth, wenn ich dich anruf. Amen.

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FW: Herr, der du vormals große Gnad

Cantemus…

 

Feed: HYMNOGLYPT
Posted on: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 4:02 PM
Author: Matt Carver (Matthaeus Glyptes)
Subject: Herr, der du vormals große Gnad

 

Here is my translation of the psalm paraphrase "Herr, der du vormals große Gnad" (C. Schneegaß, 1597), based on Psalm LXXXV, Benedixisti Domine. The hymn was  eventually supplanted by the paraphrases by Becker (1617), Gerhardt (1653), and Vogel (1673). The appointed melody is "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ."   O LORD, WHO hast unto Thy land Showed favor rich and fervent, And back from bondage by Thy hand Hast brought Thy captive servant, And saved their soul from sin and death, Vouchsafing full remission For transgression, And, sparing them Thy wrath, Life given in addition.   2. O Savior, God, console, we pray, Let cease Thy great disfavor! Wilt Thou not turn Thy wrath away, Nor spare Thy children ever? Wilt not revive us by Thy grace And fill with jubilation This Thy nation At all Thy faithfulness! Lord, show us Thy salvation.   3. Oh, how I long to hear again The Lord our land addressing, His people pledging to sustain With heav'nly peace and blessing. And to console them by His Word, His wondrous deeds declaring, Lest, despairing, Some souls should leave their Lord, In folly blindly erring.   4. Yet nigh to them that fear His name He comes with His salvation; God, fill our land with Thy acclaim, Let glory fill our nation. Let all with love and faithfulness His neighbor be attending, Service lending, That we may dwell in peace No man with sin offending.   5. Oh, may the Lord by grace each day For bounteous good ordain us, And with His Spirit be our stay, And in His Word sustain us; Our land with fruit may He increase, Rich blessings thus bestowing, Wrath forgoing, And help authorities True justice to be showing.   GERMAN 1. Herr, der du vormals große Gnad Erzeiget hast deim Lande, Dein Knecht nach deinem weisen Rath Erlöst aus schweren Banden, Der du vormals die Missethat Hast deinem Volk vergeben Und daneben Dein Zorn gewendet ab, Damit sie möchten leben. 2. Gott, unser Heiland, tröste uns, Laß all Ungnade schwinden. Willt du denn ewig über uns Und unser Kinder zürnen? Willt du denn uns erquicken nicht? Daß sich dein Volk mag freuen Deiner Treue. Dein gnädig Angesicht, O Herr, ja uns erzeige. 3. Ach, daß ich wieder hören sollt, Daß Gott der Herr thät reden, Daß er zusagte seinem Volk Sein göttlich Fried und Segen, Und sie durch sein Wort trösten ließ, Erinnern früh und spate Seiner Thaten, Daß nicht manch frommer Christ In Thorheit möcht gerathen. 4. Doch denen, die ihn fürchten thu, Kommt er zu Steur und Hande. Hilf Gott, daß es geh löblich zu Hier und im ganzen Lande, Daß Eins dem Andern Dienst und Lieb Erzeig mit treuem Herzen Ohne Scherzen, Daß wir in Ruh und Fried Fein freundlich uns ergötzen. 5. Der Herr uns gnädiglich verleih Viel Guts an allem Orte, Steh uns mit seinem Geiste bei, Erhalt uns bei seim Worte; Laß unser Land mit Fruchtbarkeit Gedeihen, daß es gebe Reichen Segen; Helf aller Obrigkeit Gericht und Rechts zu pflegen.

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FW: Adolph Koeberle on Justification and Lutheran Hymns

On Hymnody…

 

Feed: Lutheran Hymn Revival
Posted on: Thursday, September 29, 2011 7:18 PM
Author: noreply@blogger.com (Amberg)
Subject: Adolph Koeberle on Justification and Lutheran Hymns

 

‎"We can see how, in the evangelical consciousness, the salvation that is produced by God alone and that consists in reconciliation with God, is not limited to the theological ideas of a small group of hymns that would be collected under the rubric, "Justification and the State of Grace," but that it permeates the whole round of Christian thinking. The certainty of possessing peace with God is a sort of cantus firmus* that is re-echoed everywhere, here in the hymns of the high festivals and of the holy ministrations, on through those dealing with faith and life to the hope of the resurrection of the dead, which finds its basis in this justifying act of God." From The Quest for Holiness, trans. John C. Mattes (Augsburg: Minneapolis, 1938), p. 61. * "fixed chant" - An existing melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition. Because my sinful flesh is prone to despair, I am struck hard when I see the apathy of Lutherans toward Lutheran hymns.  I must confess that this must partly arise from some selfishness in my heart to be soothed hearing my brothers and sisters sing the divine doctrine with the same love for it that I feel. But we can't force people to feel what we feel.  Just as it breaks a pastor's heart to see his parishioners skip church Sunday after Sunday, and yet their attendance ought not be the result of coercion from the law, so the Lutheran hymn is in the position of the unrequited lover. She has more to give than all the music of the Papists and the Reformed, and yet the daughters of Zion insist on singing Samaritan songs.  What comfort they lose is lost to them, whom we pray attend more to the basics of the Creed sparsely found in the songs of the sectarians than to the obsession of the functions of our own worship that plagues most modern music that purports to be Christian. But what pervades the "evangelical consciousness" (one might also add the evangelical conscience) is an obsession with the Gospel, the certainty of a peace with God that is outside of our reaction to it or our disposition to receive it.  Whether we sing of prayer or thanksgiving, or of miracles or of the works of the Church, Lutherans cannot forget Zion and the river that makes her glad.  She cannot forget that her highest worship is receiving what her Lord gives her: the forgiveness of her own sin, a reconciled Father, yes, peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also have access to sing to Him - and what shall we sing, but that the mercy of our Lord endures forever? God grant us to sing again what we have so long neglected.  I don't desire to revive merely one segment of Christian hymnody known as "Lutheran," but what constitutes true Christian hymnody, which who but the Lutherans have taught us at its sweetest, at is purest, at is most comforting, as it is the most faithful to the Word of God?

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