Still more popular in its own day was the second
hymn that Luther ever wrote; no doubt from its containing
in short compass a complete epitome, at once
of the reformed doctrine of salvation, and of the
actual experience of those who had passed through
the same conflicts as Luther himself. An eye-witness
of the Reformation says: "Who doubts not, that
many hundred Christians have been brought to the
true faith by this one hymn alone, who before, perchance,
could not so much as bear to hear Luther's
112
name. But his sweet and noble words have so taken
their hearts that they were constrained to come to
the truth." A curious use was made of it in the
year 1557, when a number of princes belonging to
the reformed religion being assembled at Frankfort,
they wished to have an evangelical service in the
church of St. Bartholomew. A large congregation
assembled, but the pulpit was occupied by a Roman
Catholic priest, who proceeded to preach according
to his own views. After listening for some time in
indignant silence the whole congregation rose and
began to sing this hymn, till they fairly sang the
priest out of church. Its tune is that known in
England as Luther's Hymn, and tradition says that
Luther noted it down from the singing of a travelling
artisan. Luther's own title to it is--
A THANKSGIVING FOR THE HIGHEST BENEFITS WHICH GOD HAS SHOWN US IN CHRIST.
8,6,8,6,8,8,7
Nun freut euch liebes Christen gemein
Martin Luther
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869
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Dear Christian people, now rejoice!
Our hearts within us leap,
While we, as with one soul and voice,
With love and gladness deep,
Tell how our God beheld our need,
And sing that sweet and wondrous deed,
That hath so dearly cost Him.
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Captive to Satan once I lay,
in inner death forlorn;
My sins oppressed me night and day,
Therein I had been born,
And deeper fell howe'er I strove;
My life had neither joy nor love,
So sore had sin possessed me.
113
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My good works could avail me nought,
For they with sin were stained;
My will against God's justice fought,
And dead to good remained;
My anguish drove me to despair,
For Death I knew was waiting there,
And what but Hell was left me?
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Then God in His eternity
Looked on my boundless woe,
His deep compassions flowed toward me,
True succour to bestow:
His Father's heart did yearn and melt
To heal the bitter pains I felt,
Though it should cost His dearest.
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He spake to His beloved Son:
"Go Thou, my heart's bright Crown,
The time for pity is begun,
Go Thou in mercy down
To break for men Sin's heavy chain,
To end for them Death's hopeless reign,
And give them life eternal."
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The Son delighteth to obey,
And born of virgin mother,
Awhile on this low earth did stay,
And thus became my Brother;
His mighty power He hidden bore,
A servant's form like mine He wore,
My foe for me to vanquish.
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To me He spake: "Hold fast by Me,
And thou shalt conquer now;
Myself I wholly give for thee,
For thee I wrestle now;
For I am with thee, thou art Mine,
Henceforth My place is also thine,
The foe shall never part us.
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"I know that he will shed My blood,
And take My life away;
But I will bear it for thy good,
Only believe alway;
Death swallows up this life of Mine,
My innocence all sins of thine,
And so art thou delivered.
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"And when I rise to heaven above,
Where is my Father's home,
I still will be Thy Lord in love,
And bid my Spirit come
To solace thee in every woe,
To teach thee Me aright to know,
And into Truth to guide thee.
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"And even as I have done and said,
So shalt thou say and do,
That so God's kingdom may be spread,
And He have honour due;
And this last counsel give I thee,
From men's additions keep thou free
The treasure I have left thee."
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