======================================================================== SACRED HYMNS FROM THE GERMAN by Frances Elizabeth Cox ======================================================================== A collection of spiritually rich verses and hymns for worship and reflection. Chapters: 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0. Sacred Hymns From the German 1. Arndt, Ernst Moritz--born in Pomerania; in 1806 professor of philosophy 2. Edeling, Christian Ludwig, a Saxon, native of Löbegün, in Saalkreis, 3. Freylinghausen, Johann Anastasius--1670-1739--born at Gandersheim, in 4. Gerhard, Paul--1606-1676--native of Gräfenhaynichen, in the circle of 5. Hermann, Nicolaus, called the pious old Cantor' [2] of Joachimsthal (in 6. Liebich, Ehrenfried--1713-1780--born at Liegnitzischen, minister at 7. Luther, Doctor Martin--1483-1546--the great instrument of God, father 8. Neuss, Heinrich Georg--1664-1716--native of Elbingerode, superintendent 9. Oswald, Heinrich Siegmund--who published in 1793, "Gedichte und Lieder 10. Sacer, Gottfried Wilhelm--1635-1699--a native of Naumburg, who was at 11. Stark, Johann Friedrich--1680-1756--born at Hildesheim, a member of the 12. Wülffer, Daniel--1617-1685--born at Nuremburg, a professor and minister 13. Zwick, Johann--of Kostnitz, who died about 1542; he was first a jurist, 14. Transcriber's Notes ======================================================================== CHAPTER 0: SACRED HYMNS FROM THE GERMAN ======================================================================== ======================================================================== CHAPTER 1: ARNDT, ERNST MORITZ--BORN IN POMERANIA; IN 1806 PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY ======================================================================== 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. 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. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 2: EDELING, CHRISTIAN LUDWIG, A SAXON, NATIVE OF LÖBEGÜN, IN SAALKREIS, ======================================================================== Schottelius; a learned prince, who was a popular writer of his time. tutor to Count Zinzendorf, afterwards a clergyman at Schwanebeck, near Halberstadt, where he died in 1742. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 3: FREYLINGHAUSEN, JOHANN ANASTASIUS--1670-1739--BORN AT GANDERSHEIM, IN ======================================================================== 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.' Wolfenbüttel; a clergyman, and director of the Orphan Asylum at Halle. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 4: GERHARD, PAUL--1606-1676--NATIVE OF GRÄFENHAYNICHEN, IN THE CIRCLE 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. 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. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 5: HERMANN, NICOLAUS, CALLED THE PIOUS OLD CANTOR' [2] OF JOACHIMSTHAL (IN ======================================================================== 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). Voigtland), a devout writer of hymns. He was the intimate friend of the pious minister of Joachimsthal, Matthesius, whose sermons often inspired him with a hymn on the same text. He died in 1561, at a very advanced age. [2] Cantor is, in some parts of Germany, a title given to the village schoolmaster, who, as parish clerk, leads the singing in church. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 6: LIEBICH, EHRENFRIED--1713-1780--BORN AT LIEGNITZISCHEN, MINISTER AT ======================================================================== 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. Jauerschen, who wrote two hundred and thirty-six hymns. They are very beautiful, and resemble those of Schmolck, but have not his peculiar vigour. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 7: LUTHER, DOCTOR MARTIN--1483-1546--THE GREAT INSTRUMENT OF GOD, FATHER ======================================================================== poet and a learned jurist, who lived at Hamburg; his hymns, which resemble those of Gellert, were published in 1770. 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. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 8: NEUSS, HEINRICH GEORG--1664-1716--NATIVE OF ELBINGERODE, SUPERINTENDENT ======================================================================== 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. [3] at Wernigerode. He published one hundred and thirty-four hymns in his Hebopfer,' (heave-offering). [3] That is, in the Lutheran Church, one who has the ecclesiastical direction of a certain district. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 9: OSWALD, HEINRICH SIEGMUND--WHO PUBLISHED IN 1793, "GEDICHTE UND LIEDER ======================================================================== 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. 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." ======================================================================== CHAPTER 10: SACER, GOTTFRIED WILHELM--1635-1699--A NATIVE OF NAUMBURG, WHO WAS AT ======================================================================== 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. 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. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 11: STARK, JOHANN FRIEDRICH--1680-1756--BORN AT HILDESHEIM, A MEMBER OF THE ======================================================================== 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. Consistory at Frankfort. His hymns are very numerous; he was likewise a very popular writer of religious tracts. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 12: WÜLFFER, DANIEL--1617-1685--BORN AT NUREMBURG, A PROFESSOR AND MINISTER ======================================================================== 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. 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. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 13: ZWICK, JOHANN--OF KOSTNITZ, WHO DIED ABOUT 1542; HE WAS FIRST A JURIST, ======================================================================== great founder of "the Community of Brethren," who was born a sacred poet. and afterwards a theologian and minister in his native city; a pious and learned man. ALPHABETISCHES REGISTER. Seite [191]Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein 206 [192]Ach, treuer Gott, ich ruf zu dir 176 [193]Ach, wie so sanft entschläfest du 74 [194]Auf! Auf! weil der Tag erschienen 2 [195]Auf, schicke dich 16 [196]Beschwertes Herz, leg ab die Sorgen 58 [197]Da Jesus an des Kreuzes Stamm 30 [198]Der du noch in der letzten Nacht 146 [199]Du weinest für Jerusalem 158 [200]Ein reines Herz, Herr, schaff in mir 152 [201]Eins ist Noth: ach Herr, dies Eine 136 [202]Erhebt euch, frohe Jubellieder 70 [203]Erlassen ist der Sünden Schuld 66 [204]Freut euch, Sünder, allerwegen 20 [205]Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud 168 [206]Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab 82 [207]Gott fähret auf gen Himmel 38 [208]Gott, wann erquickt dein süsser Friede 148 [209]Guter Hirte, willst du nicht 100 [210]Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen 24 [211]Heut öffnet sich die neue Bahn 48 [212]Himmelan geht unsre Bahn 116 [213]Himmel, Erde, Luft und Meer. 194 [214]Hinunter ist der Sonne Schein 56 [215]Hochheilige Dreieinigkeit 44 [216]Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennt 120 [217]Im Abend blinkt der Morgenstern 22 [218]Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich 34 [219]Keine Schönheit hat die Welt 164 [220]Liebster Jesu, hier sind wir 62 [221]Mein Herzenstrost ist Jesus Christ 184 [222]Nach dir, O Gott, verlanget mich 96 [223]Nimm dich, o meine Seel, in Acht 132 [224]Nun so will ich denn mein Leben 124 [225]O Ewigkeit! O Ewigkeit! 186 [226]O Geist des Herrn, nur deine Kraft 42 [227]O liebe Seele, könntst du werden 112 [228]Sieh! wie lieblich und wie fein 142 [229]So hab ich obgesieget 76 [230]Steil und dornig ist der Pfad 108 [231]Verbinde mich, mein Heil, mit dir 52 [232]Vom Himmel kommt der starke Held 12 [233]Wach auf, wach auf, du sichre Welt 8 [234]Walte, walte nah und fern 202 [235]Was du vor tausend Jahren 104 [236]Wem in Leidenstagen 180 [237]Wenn dich Unglück hat betreten 128 [238]Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne? 88 [239]Wie oft hab ich den Bund gebrochen 154 [240]Wir kommen deine Huld zu feiern 198 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. Page [241]A new and contrite heart create 153 [242]A thousand years have fleeted 105 [243]At length released from many woes 75 [244]Christ to my heart true joy can give 185 [245]Come forth, my heart, and seek delight 169 [246]Come, tune your heart 17 [247]Earth has nothing sweet or fair 165 [248]Encumber'd heart! lay by thy sorrow 59 [249]Eternity! Eternity! 187 [250]Far and near, almighty Word 203 [251]Go! and let my grave be made 83 [252]Good and pleasant 'tis to see 143 [253]Heaven and earth, and sea and air 195 [254]Heavenward still our pathway tends 117 [255]How oft have I the covenant broken 155 [256]Jesus lives! no longer now 35 [257]Jesus, Lord, thy servants see 63 [258]Life's course must recommence to-day 49 [259]Lo! God to heaven ascendeth! 39 [260]Lo! my choice is now decided 125 [261]Lo! now the victory's gain'd me 77 [262]Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold 207 [263]Loosed are the bands thy soul which chain'd 67 [264]Mortals, who have God offended 21 [265]Most high and holy Trinity! 45 [266]My God! I call upon thy name 177 [267]My restless heart, with anguish moaning 149 [268]My Saviour! make me cleave to Thee 53 [269]My soul, let this your thoughts employ 133 [270]O Holy Ghost! thy heavenly dew 43 [271]O! let him whose sorrow 181 [272]O Lord! I long thy face to see 97 [273]One thing's needful: then, Lord Jesus 137 [274]O ye your Saviour's name who bear 121 [275]Raise high the note of exultation 71 [276]Seven times our blessed Saviour spoke 31 [277]Soul, couldst thou, while on earth remaining 113 [278]Steep and thorny is the way 109 [279]Sunk is the sun's last beam of light 57 [280]The last of days will come indeed 9 [281]The mighty Saviour comes from heaven 13 [282]The wondering sages trace from far 23 [283]Thou who didst die for all and each 147 [284]Wake! the welcome day appeareth 3 [285]We come, our hearts with gladness glowing 199 [286]What laws, my blessed Saviour, hast thou broken 25 [287]When afflictions sore oppress you 129 [288]Who are these, like stars appearing 89 [289]Wilt Thou not, my Shepherd true 101 [290]With tears o'er lost Jerusalem 159 INHALTSVERZEICHNISS. Seite [291]Adventlied. I 2 [292]Adventlied. II 8 [293]Weihnachtslied. I 12 [294]Weihnachtslied. II 16 [295]Lied aufs Fest der Beschneidung 20 [296]Epiphaniaslied 22 [297]Lied für den Charfreitag. I 24 [298]Lied für den Charfreitag. II. 30 [299]Osterlied 34 [300]Himmelfahrtslied 38 [301]Pfingstlied 42 [302]Lied für die Trinitatiszeit 44 [303]Neujahrslied 48 [304]Morgenlied 52 [305]Abendlied 56 [306]Sonntägliches Morgenlied 58 [307]Tauflied 62 [308]Abendmahlslied 66 [309]Trauungslied 70 [310]Begräbnisslied 74 [311]Beim Begräbniss eines Kindes 76 [312]Des Sterbenden Christens Lebewohl 82 [313]Verklärte Heiligen 88 [314]Gottergebenheit 96 [315]Lied an dem Treuen Hirte 100 [316]Christus unser Licht 104 [317]Des Sieges Krone 108 [318]Kindliches Gemüthe 112 [319]Himmelan 116 [320]Das Christliche Leben 120 [321]Die Gute Wahl 124 [322]Trost des Gebetes 128 [323]Der Schatz im Himmel 132 [324]Eins ist Noth 136 [325]Brüderliche Liebe 142 [326]Christliche Eintracht 146 [327]Stunden des Leidens 148 [328]Des Christen Gebet 152 [329]Christus unser Heil 154 [330]Des Heilands Thränen 158 [331]Sommerlied. I 164 [332]Sommerlied. II 168 [333]Nichtigkeit Irdischer Freuden 176 [334]Trost des Traurenden 180 [335]Tod der Eingang zum Leben 184 [336]Ewigkeit 186 [337]Lied an dem Schöpfer 194 [338]Lied für das Erndtefest. 198 [339]Bibellied 202 [340]Lied für des Reformationsfest 206 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Page [341]Advent Hymn. I 3 [342]Advent Hymn. II 9 [343]Hymn for Christmas. I 13 [344]Hymn for Christmas. II 17 [345]Hymn for the Circumcision 21 [346]Hymn for the Epiphany 23 [347]Hymn for Good Friday. I 25 [348]Hymn for Good Friday. II 31 [349]Hymn for Easter Day 35 [350]Hymn for Ascension-Day 39 [351]Hymn for Whit Sunday 43 [352]Hymn for Trinity Sunday 45 [353]Hymn for New-Year's Day 49 [354]Morning Hymn 53 [355]Evening Hymn 57 [356]Sunday Morning Hymn 59 [357]For the Sacrament of Baptism 63 [358]For the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 67 [359]Hymn for a Marriage 71 [360]Hymn for a Funeral 75 [361]On the Burial of a Child 77 [362]The Dying Christian's Farewell 83 [363]Saints in Glory 89 [364]Devotedness to God 97 [365]Hymn to the Good Shepherd 101 [366]Christ our Light 105 [367]The Crown of Victory 109 [368]Childlike Temper 113 [369]The Heavenward Course 117 [370]The Christian Life 121 [371]The Good Choice 125 [372]Comfort of Prayer 129 [373]Treasure in Heaven 133 [374]The One Thing needful 137 [375]Brotherly Love 143 [376]Christian Unity 147 [377]Hours of Sadness 149 [378]The Christian's Prayer 153 [379]Christ our Salvation 155 [380]The Saviour's Tears 159 [381]Hymn for Summer. I 165 [382]Hymn for Summer. II 169 [383]Vanity of Earthly Joys 177 [384]The Mourner's Consolation 181 [385]Death the Gate of Life 185 [386]Eternity 187 [387]Hymn to the Creator 195 [388]Hymn for Harvest 199 [389]Bible Hymn 203 [390]Hymn for the Reformation 207 C. Whittingham, Tooks Court, London. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 14: TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES ======================================================================== * Silently corrected some typos (note that the German included archaic and modern spellings both.) * Corrected the alphabetical order in the index of first lines, and restored one missing entry. * Consistently included author and date on the same line, right justified (the date had often been on a separate line) * Consistently included scripture references on the next line, right justified (some had been on the same line after a dash.) * Re-ordered pages to present each hymn (German and English) as a unit (the original showed German and English interlaced on facing pages.) * Note that there is no source information about anonymous hymns in the original book. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/sacred-hymns-from-the-german/ ========================================================================