Hymns, Hymnody, Translations and a few assorted
Exegetical and Historical Thoughts thrown in
Exegetical and Historical Thoughts thrown in
Translation: "O God, Great God, We Praise You Most" - Johann Rist, trans. Robert J. H. Mayes10/25/2021 translation; Rist; Johann Rist; communion; Lord's Supper The Lutheran hymn writer Johann Rist (1607-1667) was a pastor who lived during the 30 years war (1618-1648) and saw some of the hazards of the fighting and pestilence that spread around Germany at that time as well. While studying at the University of Rinteln, Rist became interested in writing hymns due to some influence by the Lutheran pastor Josua Stegmann. Throughout his lifetime, Rist wrote 680 hymns, 200 of which were widely used in churches. It is said that even Roman Catholics appreciated Rist's hymns. Most of Rist's hymns have been untranslated, though Lutheran Service Book does include some of these texts. (They are LSB 378 - "Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"; LSB 448:2-7 - "O Darkest Woe"; LSB 625 - "Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread"; and LSB 642 - "O Living Bread from Heaven"). Rist wrote hymns that were intended to cover all articles of the faith and for all classes of people.
This hymn, "O God, Great God, We Praise You Most" is a communion hymn from Rist's 1654 book, Frommer Gottseliger Christen Alltägliche Hausmusik, oder musikalische Andachten. As far as I know, this is the first translation of this hymn into English. I do not have a tune yet for it but will eventually write one. O God, Great God, We Praise You Most - Johann Rist, trans. Robert J. H. Mayes (Oct. 2021) 1. O God, great God, we praise You most O Father, Lord of might and host Because You did not spare Your only Child, and Him You gave By greater love, the world to save Though He grew poor and bare. In trouble, fear and certain need, At last, to bitter death indeed, For Your dear congregation’s sake The martyred Son, His cross did take, Yet also gave that night, by grace, A Sacrament for mankind’s race. 2. O Christ, the incompar’bly good! Here is His body, and His blood, That He for us has giv’n. So He Himself this flesh doth eat And drinks His outpoured blood, made sweet, For man’s blessed life in heav’n. Of lesser strength, a city’s men, Since Jesus freely rose again, So we all, then, can trust in this! To Christ’s blest meal, with eagerness, That full of grace, we all may be, And that God’s favor we may see. 3. Before my God, indeed, I know That never worthy, can I go To claim this priceless pledge. And yet You come to me to serve! Since never heaven I deserve, I am the poorest wretch. Yet though the fiercest shame I see Still faith in Jesus right makes me! You are God’s Son, O Christ, the Lord, The One Almighty Father’s Word, And even in our suffering’s time You are our righteousness divine. 4. To you, He calls, the heart’s firm ground: “Awake!” For I am now sore found A poor, remorseful soul. I thirst, as were a desert land, For heaven's sweet pledge from His hand, That endless good, most whole. O You, most hidden Manna, come That sinners, pious we become. O Living Drink, so fresh and pure, Oh! You adorn our altar, sure! A stream of joy, may we be given That eating now, may know in heaven. 5. O Holy Spirit, Comfort still, Who by the Word rules o’er my will, Let Christ my teacher be. For in this place, my poor soul yearns. I long for Christ at every turn. O grant that Him I see. To me, this Bread of heaven give, That solace, in these days, might have. When by the chalice, I would drink, You grant my faith to never sink. If through You, Lord, I am set free, I’ll sing Your praise eternally. Text: Johann Rist (1607-1667), from Frommer Gottseliger Christen Alltägliche Hausmusik, oder musikalische Andachten (Lüneburg, 1654) Trans. Robert J. H. Mayes, copyright Oct. 2021. All rights reserved.
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AuthorRev. Robert J. H. Mayes is a justified sinner through faith in Christ. He is a husband, father, an LCMS pastor, musician, and has a strong interest in Lutheranism, Christ-centered Scriptural exegesis and the hymns of the Church. In his spare time, he likes to watch the Kansas City Chiefs. Archives
May 2022
CategoriesImportant Links- - LCMS website - Nebraska dist. - CPH - Issues, Etc. - Lutheran Public Radio - PRDL (Post Reformation Digital Library) Other Hymn sites - What you need to know about hymns - Public domain Lutheran hymns - Mark Preus - Matthew Carver - Walther's Hymnal (ed. Carver) - Stephen Starke - Starke hymns vol. 1 & vol. 2 - Alan Kornacki Jr. - Kathryn Ann Hill - Robin Fish, Jr. - Kurt E. Reinhardt - Center for Church Music (Concordia Chicago) |