"All My Heart This Night Rejoices"

                  by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

                                 Text From:

                      THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1. 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 today the Conqueror goeth,

        Who 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

        His most cherished 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 feed; 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 wound 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 outstretched.

        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. Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish.

        Though my breath Fail in death,

        Yet I shall not perish,

        But with Thee abide forever

        There on high, In that joy

        Which can vanish never.



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #77 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_

        Text: Luke 2:11

        Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653

        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.

        Titled: "Froehlich soll mein Herze springen"

        Composer: Johann Crueger, 1653

        Tune: "Froehlich soll mein Herze"