v0.9 | Initial edition |
This is releasable.
TRANSLATED BY
FRANCES ELIZABETH COX
“Awake up, my glory; awake, lute and harp.”
LONDON
WILLIAM PICKERING
MDCCCXLI
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND
EDWARD, LORD BISHOP OF SALISBURY,
AND TO HIS EXCELLENCY
CHARLES CHRISTIAN BUNSEN,
ETC. ETC. ETC.
ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY OF HIS PRUSSIAN MAJESTY
TO THE HELVETIC CONFEDERATION,
(FROM WHOSE COLLECTION THESE HYMNS ARE TAKEN,)
THIS LITTLE VOLUME
IS BY PERMISSION RESPECTFULLY AND
GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED.
Germany, since the time of the Reformation, has always had its sacred poets, whose hymns have formed a beautiful substitute for the Latin ones of the Roman ritual. English literature, on the contrary, till of late years, has produced scarcely any devotional pieces, with the exception of the impressive hymn introduced into our Ordination service, and those few subjoined to the old version of the Psalms. Bishop Ken set the example of a more elegant style of sacred song, and latterly there has been no lack of compositions of the kind, tinged more or less by the theological school and religious bias of the writers.
The Hymns contained in this little volume vary
in date from the Reformation to the present day;
they are taken from the large and interesting collection
of Chevalier Bunsen, and it is hoped that
the translations will be found to give not only a
One chief characteristic is their great simplicity; and surely, even in these days of refinement and laxity, there are still many ‘true of heart,’ who can appreciate pious thoughts clothed in simple verse; and if these Hymns should occasionally awaken a holy train of reflection, or comfort an afflicted soul, or cause but a few hearts to expand with love for their Redeemer, the pleasure which has been experienced in translating them will be followed by heart-felt gratitude to Him, who can so bless the humblest efforts, as to cause them, in some degree, to advance his glory.
Das ist der Herr, auf den wir harren: Dass wir uns freuen und fröhlich sein in seinem Heil.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him: we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah, xxv. 9.
Wache auf, der du schläfst, und stehe auf von den Todten: So wird dich Christus erleuchten.
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Eph. v. 14.
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden: Und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
St. Luke, ii. 14.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, Dass er seinen eingebornen Sohn gab.
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.
St. John, iii. 16.
Christus ist des Gesetzes Ende: Wer an Ihn glaubt, der ist gerecht.
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Rom. x. 4.
Ich bin die Wurzel des Geschlechts Davids: Ein heller Morgenstern.
I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star.
Rev. xxii. 16.
Er ist um unsrer Missethat willen verwundet, Und um unsrer Sünde willen zerschlagen.
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.
Isaiah, liii. 5.
Die Worte, die ich rede, Die sind Geist und sind Leben.
The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
St. John, vi. 63.
Der Christum von den Todten auferwecket hat, Der wird auch eure sterblichen Leiber lebendig machen.
He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies.
Rom. viii. 11.
Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, Und der Herr mit heller Posaune.
God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Psa. xlvii. 5.
Schaff in mir, Gott, ein reines Herz: Und gieb mir einen neuen gewissen Geist.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa. li. 10.
Heilig, Heilig, Heilig, ist der Herr Zebaoth.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts.
Isa. vi. 3.
Sorget nicht für den andern Morgen, denn der morgende Tag wird für das seine sorgen.
Take no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
St. Matt. vi. 34.
Herr, frühe wollest du meine Stimme hören; frühe will ich mich zu dir schicken.
My voice shalt thou hear betimes, O Lord: early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee.
Psa. v. 3.
Der Engel des Herrn lagert sich um die, so ihn fürchten: Und hilft ihnen aus.
The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa. xxxiv. 7.
Bauet euch zum geistlichen Hause und zum heiligen Priesterthum: Zu opfern geistliche Opfer, die Gott angenehm sind durch Jesum Christum.
Ye are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 St. Pet. ii. 5.
Lasset die Kindlein zu mir kommen, und wehret ihnen nicht; denn solcher ist das Reich Gottes.
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.
St. Mark, x. 14.
Ich freue mich im Herrn, und meine Seele ist fröhlich in meinem Gott: Denn er hat mich gekleidet mit Kleidern des Heils.
I will rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation.
Isa. lxi. 10.
Der Herr segne dich und behüte dich: Er erleuchte sein Angesicht über dich und gebe dir Frieden.
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numb. vi. 24-26.
Es wird gesäet verweslich und wird auferstehn unverweslich: Es wird gesäet in Schwachheit und wird auferstehn in Kraft.
It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
1 Cor. xv. 42, 43.
Selig sind die Todten: Die in dem Herrn sterben.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Rev. xiv. 13.
Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden: Und bei Christo zu sein.
I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.
Phil. i. 23.
Wer überwindet, der wird es alles ererben: Und ich werde sein Gott seyn und er wird mein Sohn seyn.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev. xxi. 7.
Zeuch mich dir nach, so laufen wir.
Draw me, we will run after thee.
Cant. i. 4.
Ich bin ein verirrt und verloren Schaf: Suche, Herr, deinen Knecht.
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; Lord, seek thy servant.
Psa. cxix. 176.
Alsdann werden der Blinden Augen aufgethan werden.
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened.
Isa. xxxv. 5.
Sei getreu bis in den Tod: So will ich dir die Krone des Lebens geben.
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev. ii. 10.
Es sey denn, dass ihr euch umkehret, und werdet wie die Kinder, so werdet ihr nicht in das Himmelreich kommen.
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
St. Matt. xviii. 3.
Wir haben hier keine beständig bleibende Stadt, sondern wir suchen die zukünftige.
Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Heb. xiii. 14.
Es werden nicht alle, die zu mir sagen, Herr, Herr! in das Himmelreich kommen, sondern die den Willen thun meines Vaters im Himmel.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
St. Matt. vii. 21.
Ich habe gesagt, Herr, das soll mein Erbe seyn, dass ich deine Wege halte.
Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep thy law.
Psa. cxix. 57 .
Wenn die Gerechten schreien, so höret der Herr: Und errettet sie aus aller ihrer Noth.
When the righteous cry, the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
Psa. xxxiv. 17.
Suchet was droben ist, da Christus ist, sitzend zu der Rechten Gottes.
Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col. iii. 1.
Eins ist Noth: Maria hat das gute Theil erwählet.
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part.
St. Luke, x. 42.
Siehe, wie lieblich und fein ists: Dass Brüder einträchtig bei einander wohnen.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa. cxxxiii. 1 .
Heiliger Vater, erhalte sie in deinem Namen, die du mir gegeben hast, dass sie eins seyn, gleichwie wir.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
St. John, xvii. 11.
Den Abend lang währet das Weinen: Aber des Morgens die Freude.
Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psa. xxx. 5.
Selig sind, die reines Herzens sind; denn sie werden Gott schauen.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
St. Mat. v. 8.
Kehre wieder, du Abtrünniger Israels, spricht der Herr: Denn ich bin barmherzig und will nicht ewiglich zürnen.
Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, for I am merciful, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jer. iii. 12.
Als Er nahe dazu kam, sahe Er die Stadt an, und weinete über sie.
When He was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it.
St. Luke, xix. 41.
Herr, du bist würdig zu nehmen Preis und Ehre und Kraft; denn du hast alle Dinge geschaffen, und durch deinen Willen haben sie das Wesen, und sind geschaffen.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.
Rev. iv. 11.
Es sollen dir danken, Herr, alle deine Werke; und deine Heiligen dich loben.
All thy works praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints give thanks unto thee.
Psa. cxlv. 10.
Ihr wisset, dass ihr bey ihr selbst eine bessere und bleibende Habe im Himmel habt.
Ye know in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Heb. x. 34.
Unsere Trübsal, die zeitlich ŭnd leicht ist, schaffet eine ewige ŭnd über alle Maasse wichtige Herrlichkeit.
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Cor. iv. 17.
Ob ich schon wanderte im finstern Thal, fürchte ich kein Unglück: denn, du bist bey mir; dein Stecken und Stab tröstet mich.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa. xxiii. 4.
Ein Tag vor dem Herrn ist wie tausend Jahre, und tausend Jahre wie ein Tag.
One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2 St. Pet. iii. 8.
Lobet den Herrn, alle seine Werke, an allen Orten seiner Herrschaft. Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele.
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psa. ciii. 22.
Du thust deine Hand auf, und erfüllest alles, was da lebet, mit Wohlgefallen.
Die sollen dem Herrn danken um seine Güte.
Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
Psa. cxlv. 16. Oh that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness!
Psa. cvii. 8.
Mein Wort soll nicht wieder zu mir leer kommen; sondern thun, das mir gefällt, und soll ihm gelingen, dazu ich es sende.
My word shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isa. lv. 11.
Hilf, Herr, die Heiligen haben abgenommen.
Ihr den Schlüssel der Erkenntniss weggenommen habt.
Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth.
Psa. xii. 1.Ye have taken away the key of knowledge.
St. Luke, xi. 52.
Angelus, Johann—1624-1677—whose real name was Scheffler, native of Breslau, physician in ordinary to the Emperor Ferdinand the Third. In the year 1653 he resigned this post, went over to the Romish Church, and became a priest, having previously, by a singular fancy, assumed the name of Angelus.
Arndt, Ernst Moritz—born in Pomerania; in 1806 professor of philosophy at Greifswald, in 1816 professor of history at Bonn. From having been a writer of popular songs, he became a writer of sacred ones. The hymn ‘Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab,’ here selected, must be reckoned one of the greatest gems of sacred poetry of the century.
Brunswick, Anton Ulrich, Duke of—1633-1714—pupil of the learned Schottelius; a learned prince, who was a popular writer of his time.
Bürde, Samuel Gottlieb—1763-?—native of Breslau, royal secretary to the board of finances at that place.
Dach, Simon—1605-1659—a Prussian, born at Memel, professor of poetry at Königsberg.
Denicke, David—1603-1680—a Saxon, native of Zittau, a member of the Consistory at Hanover.
Edeling, Christian Ludwig, a Saxon, native of Löbegün, in Saalkreis, tutor to Count Zinzendorf, afterwards a clergyman at Schwanebeck, near Halberstadt, where he died in 1742.
Fouqué, Friedrich Freiherr, de la Motte, born, in 1777, at Neubrandenberg. He is still living at Berlin, the worthy and distinguished descendant of the brave, intellectual, and pious general of Frederick the Great; he has given a beautiful and lasting memorial of his poetical spirit, and his Christian mind, in the hymn ‘Was du vor tausend Jahren.’
Freylinghausen, Johann Anastasius—1670-1739—born at Gandersheim, in Wolfenbüttel; a clergyman, and director of the Orphan Asylum at Halle.
Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott—1715-1769—a Saxon, native of Haynichen, in Erzgebirge, and son of the minister of that place. He studied theology, in distressed circumstances, at Leipzig, but his bad health did not allow him to preach. He lived at Leipzig, and gave lectures (first as a master of arts and afterwards as extraordinary professor) on eloquence and moral philosophy, and gained as universally the reputation of an author and a pattern of pure taste, as he did love and esteem as a man and a Christian, by his integrity of conduct, and his unaffected piety and humility. Composing hymns was his favourite employment, in which, together with prayer, he spent the happiest hours of his life of suffering. All his hymns speak the simple Christian poet of the people, and many of them have lasting classic merit. His death, as was his life, was worthy of a Christian. When, in his last illness, his friends told him, in answer to his question, that the struggle between life and death might probably last an hour, he lifted up his hands with a cheerful countenance, exclaimed, “Now, God be praised, only an hour!” turned on his side, his eyes gleaming with joy, and gently breathed his last.
Gerhard, Paul—1606-1676—native of Gräfenhaynichen, in the circle of the Electorate; a zealous preacher of the gospel, and a devout Christian. That personality of expression which stamps his hymns, represents most completely the character of the German people; profound and cheerful, firm and full of repose; for which reason his hymns are the most popular. If the Church had to select only one psalmist, it must be Paul Gerhard, whose hymns are so numerous, that they would almost alone form a hymn-book.
Heermann, Johann—1585-1647—a native of Silesia, born at Rauden, the son of a furrier, early destined for the Church by his pious mother. He was minister at Koban, in Fürstenthum Glogau, but his bad health obliged him to resign his appointment, and he spent the last thirteen years of his life at Lissa. Being much tried during the horrors of the thirty years’ war, in which he several times almost miraculously escaped being murdered, his mind became more spiritually enlightened through his bodily sufferings, in the midst of which he wrote the greater number of his hymns, which are a true picture of his pious, humble, and prayerful soul. He dedicated them ‘Seinen lieben Kindern’ (to his dear children).
Hermann, Nicolaus, called the pious old
‘Cantor’
Lange, Ernst—1650-1727—of Dantzic, member of the town-council of that place. His hymns appeared in 1701.
Lavater, Johann Caspar—1741-1801—minister in his native town, Zuric, who, with many infirmities and peculiarities, was an active and sincere Christian, and a talented orator, writer, and sacred poet. He died, after having performed the most blessed actions, and having been tried with many afflictions, which he bore with piety and constancy, in consequence of a fatal shot, which a French soldier maliciously aimed at him, after the storming of Zuric in 1799, as he was consoling and administering to the wants of the sufferers, in the streets. His hymns are numerous, and have been repeatedly printed.
Liebich, Ehrenfried—1713-1780—born at Liegnitzischen, minister at Jauerschen, who wrote two hundred and thirty-six hymns. They are very beautiful, and resemble those of Schmolck, but have not his peculiar vigour.
Löwe, Johann Friedrich—1729-1771—native of Clausthal, on the Harz; a poet and a learned jurist, who lived at Hamburg; his hymns, which resemble those of Gellert, were published in 1770.
Luther, Doctor Martin—1483-1546—the great instrument of God, father and master of the art of hymn-writing, and of German poetry. ‘Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein,’ here selected, is a free paraphrase of the 12th Psalm, a call of the Church, founded on God’s word, for aid and protection against those who despised and corrupted it, written in 1523.
Müller, Michael—1673-1704—native of Blankenberg, who lived at Wirtemburg.
Neander, Joachim—1610-1680—latterly minister of his native town, Bremen, previous to which he was a professor at Düsseldorf, where his love for the Lord Jesus, and his preaching vital Christianity raised persecution against him. He is the first writer of hymns of any importance of the reformed Church, and may be called the psalmist of the New Covenant, as his sacred songs are entitled, ‘Bundeslieder’ (Songs of the Covenant). Like David and Luther, he was great in the composition of tunes as well as words.
Neumann, Gottfried—1740-1815—a friend of “the community of Brethren,” who was living in 1778, at Meerholz.
Neuss, Heinrich Georg—1664-1716—native of Elbingerode,
superintendent
Olearius, Johann—whose real name was Oelschläger—1611-1684—of Halle, chaplain to the king and superintendent-general at Weissenfels, a learned theologian. His numerous hymns stamp him as the Gellert of his time. With true scriptural singleness of heart, an ardent Christian mind, and great abilities, he endeavoured to restore the sublime simplicity of the church-hymns, and to put fresh vigour into their style. This gave him, as it did Gellert eighty-six years later, a great influence over the hymn-books, in which many of his writings were soon adopted.
Oswald, Heinrich Siegmund—who published in 1793, “Gedichte und Lieder fürs Herz,” which shew a beautiful Christian mind; he was still living in Breslau, as king’s privy counsellor, in 1827. From the “Schwanen-lieder,” (swan’s songs) of this venerable old man, is taken “Wem in Leidenstagen.”
Rist, Johann—1607-1667—of the province of Holstein, born at Ottensen, near Altona, member of the ecclesiastical council and minister at Wedel; one of the most celebrated and influential poets of his time. He was, in the pulpit, as well as in sacred poetry, a zealous preacher of Christianity, and was consequently attacked by the zealots of his time, because he did not preach enough upon matters in dispute, and against erroneous doctrine. To this he replied, that, “In his parish there were scarcely two persons who held erroneous doctrine, but there were many who led sinful lives.” He had great trials in his youth, and in his later years he suffered from pillage, pestilence, and all the horrors of war. “The blessed cross,” he says, “has produced from me many hymns.” Though a great number of his hymns were adopted by many churches even during his life-time, he would never suffer them to be sung in his own church, with the exception of a Christmas hymn, which, on one occasion, he allowed the children of the school to practise, and to begin to sing on that festival, “wenn das Volk aus der Kirche zu gehen beginnt,” as the people were beginning to go out of church.
Ritter, Jacob—1627-1669—a native of Magdeburg, and a secretary at Halle.
Sacer, Gottfried Wilhelm—1635-1699—a native of Naumburg, who was at his death an advocate and privy-counsellor at Wolfenbüttel, distinguished in his official duties by a strict conscientiousness, and the most unbounded benevolence. He wrote the greater number of his hymns whilst a student at the university of Greifswald. Only a part of them appeared during his life-time: they were collected and published in 1714, and immediately procured him the reputation of a distinguished poet.
Schenk, Theodor—born at Alsfeld, died in 1727 whilst minister of the town of Giessen.
Schiebeler, Daniel—1741-1771—an advocate and a poet, who resided in his native city, Hamburg.
Schmolck, Benjamin—1672-1737—a Silesian, born at Brauchitschdorf, minister at Schweidnitz; a man of great piety, and very influential in his day. Most of his hymns (and they were above a thousand in number) are distinguished by a truly poetical and peculiar genius. Their characteristic is a simplicity and sincerity, which emulates that of Paul Gerhard, but without his sublimity.
Schröder, Johann Heinrich—native of Calenberg; in 1696 he was minister at Magdeburg.
Stark, Johann Friedrich—1680-1756—born at Hildesheim, a member of the Consistory at Frankfort. His hymns are very numerous; he was likewise a very popular writer of religious tracts.
Tersteegen, Gerhard—1697-1769—born at Mörs; he resided at Mülheim an der Ruhr, as a ribbon-maker; a gentle heaven-inspired soul, whose hymns are the reflection of a heavenly, happy life, his mind being full of a childlike simplicity.
Wegleiter, Christoph—1659-1709—born at Nuremburg, professor of Theology at Altorf.
Wülffer, Daniel—1617-1685—born at Nuremburg, a professor and minister in that city. The hymn “O Ewigkeit, O Ewigkeit,” is a serious and pious consideration of, and apostrophe to, Eternity, which in the last verse replies to man. The first seven verses, as far as the words “O lange Freud, O langes Leid,” Wülffer found in an old hymn-book, perhaps the Catholic hymn-book of Cologne; he improved them, and added the spirited conclusion.
Zinzendorf und Pottendorf, Nicolaus Ludwig, Count of—1708-1760—the great founder of “the Community of Brethren,” who was born a sacred poet.
Zwick, Johann—of Kostnitz, who died about 1542; he was first a jurist, and afterwards a theologian and minister in his native city; a pious and learned man.
C. Whittingham, Tooks Court, London.