Dr. Martin Luther's spiritual songs and psalms.

1. first and old preface of D. Luther to the Joh. Walther'schen Gesangbüchlein of 1525.

That singing spiritual songs is good and pleasing to God, I believe, is not hidden from any Christian, since not only the examples of the prophets and kings in the Old Testament, who praised God with singing and sounding, with poetry and all kinds of string playing, but also such custom, especially with psalms, is known to common Christianity from the beginning; yes, also St. Paul uses such a practice in 1 Cor. St. Paul uses 1 Cor. 14, 26 and Col. 3, 16 to teach us to sing spiritual songs and psalms to the Lord from the heart, so that God's word and Christian doctrine may be practiced in all ways.

Accordingly, I have also, along with some others, for a good start, and to give cause to those who are better able, several spiritual

We have brought together songs to promote the holy gospel, which has now risen again by the grace of God, so that we may also boast, as Moses did in his song, Ex. 15:1, that Christ is our praise and song, and know nothing to sing or say but Jesus Christ our Savior, as St. Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:2.

And are also brought into four voices, not for any other reason than that I would like the youth, who otherwise should and must be educated in music and other proper arts, to have something so that they would get rid of the booing songs and carnal chants and learn something wholesome instead, and thus learn the good with pleasure, as the boys do.

1424 D. 56, 297-300. D. M. Luther's geistliche Lieder u. Psalmen. W. X, 1723; 1726,1727. 1425

that is due to me. Nor am I of the opinion that through the gospel all the arts should be beaten to the ground and perish, as some super-spirituals pretend; but I would like to see all the arts, especially music, in the service of Him who gave and created them.

2. a new preface by D. Martin Luther

Now some have proven themselves well and have increased the songs so that they far surpass me and are my masters in this, but the others have also done little good in this.

And because I see that no measure will be taken of the daily use without all distinction, as it seems good to everyone, beyond that, that even the first songs are printed longer and longer, the more incorrectly, I am worried that this booklet will run out of time, as it has always happened to good books, that they are so completely overwhelmed and devastated by the addition of clumsy heads, that one has lost the good among them and only the useless has been kept in use. As we see from St. Lucas, Cap. 1, 1, that in the beginning everyone wanted to write gospels until the right gospel was almost lost among so many gospels. The same happened to Jerome and Augustine and many other books. Summa, it wants to be ever the mouse dung under the pepper.

So that now, as much as we are able, ver-

Therefore, please, every pious Christian, let him like it and, if God gives him more or the same, help him. Otherwise, unfortunately, all the world is too lax and forgetful to educate and teach the poor youth, that one must not first of all also give cause for it. May God give us His grace, amen.

to the Wittenberg hymnal of 1533.

I have again overlooked this booklet, and have set our songs together one after the other with their names printed out, which I previously avoided for the sake of fame, but now must do out of necessity, so that foreign, unprofessional songs would not be sold under our name, after which the others are set, which we consider the best and most useful.

Please and admonish all who love the pure word not to improve or increase our booklet any more without our knowledge and will; but if it is improved without our knowledge, it will be known that it is not our booklet that went out in Wittenberg. Each of us can compile his own booklet full of songs and leave ours alone, as we ask, desire and hereby want to have it testified. For we also like to keep our coin in our dignity, not begrudging anyone to make a better one for himself, so that God's name alone may be praised and our name not sought, amen.

3) Luther's preface to the funeral hymns of 1542.

To the Christian reader. D. Mart. Luther.

St. Paul writes to those in Thessalonica that they should not grieve over the dead, as others do who have no hope, but should comfort themselves with the word of God, as having the certain hope of life and the resurrection of the dead. For it is no wonder that those who have no hope grieve, nor are they to be blamed, since they are apart from the faith of Christ, either alone or together with God.

You must respect and love this temporal life and hate to lose it, or face eternal death and the wrath of God in hell after this life and hate to go there.

We Christians, however, who have been redeemed from all this by the precious blood of the Son of God, should practice and become accustomed in faith to despise death and to regard it as a deep, strong, sweet sleep; we should not

*) This preface is newly added in this revised edition.

D. Red.

1426 2- SS, 300-302. III. Main st. - B. On devotional praying & singing. W. XV, 412-415. 1427

other than as our Lord Christ's bosom or paradise; to keep the grave no other than as a gentle lazy or resting bed; as it is then in truth before God, as He speaks, John 11: "Lazarus our friend sleeps"; Matt. 9: "The maiden is not dead, but sleeps."

So does St. Paul, 1 Cor. 15.He puts out of sight all the ugly sight of death in our dying body, and draws forth the blessed and joyful sight of life, saying, "It is sown corruptible, and shall rise incorruptible; it is sown in dishonor, that is, in ugly, shameful form, and shall rise in glory; it is sown in weakness, and shall rise in power; it is sown a natural body, and shall rise a spiritual body."

Accordingly, we have done away with the papal abominations in our churches, such as vigils, masses for the dead, funerals, purgatory, and all other gimmicks for the dead, and swept them clean, and no longer want our churches to be houses of lamentation or places of suffering, but rather, as the ancient fathers also called them, cömeteria, that is, for sleeping houses and places of rest.

Do not sing a song of mourning nor a song of sorrow at our dead and graves, but comforting songs of forgiveness of sins, of rest, sleep, life and resurrection of the deceased Christians, so that our faith may be strengthened and the people may be stirred to right devotion.

For it is also right and proper that burials be held and performed honorably, in praise and honor of the joyful article of our faith, namely, the resurrection of the dead, and in defiance of the terrible enemy, death, which so shamefully eats us away without ceasing in all manner of hideous shapes and ways.

Thus, as we read, the holy patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph etc. kept their burials glorious and commanded with great diligence. After that, the kings of Judah made a great show over the corpses with delicious incense, all kinds of good noble spices, all to muffle the stinking shameful death and the resurrection.

to praise and confess the dead, to comfort the weak in faith and the sorrowful.

This also includes what Christians have done so far and still do with corpses and graves, that they are beautifully worn, decorated, sung about and adorned with grave markers. Everything must be done for this article of the resurrection, so that it may be firmly established in us, for it is our final, blessed, eternal comfort and joy against death, hell, the devil and all sadness.

In addition, we have also taken as a good example the beautiful music or chants that are used in the papacy in vigils, masses and funerals, some of which have been printed in this booklet and want to take more of them in time, or whoever is better able than we are, but put other text under it to decorate our article of the resurrection; not the purgatory with its torment and satisfaction, before which their deceased can neither sleep nor rest. The song and the notes are delicious; it would be a pity that they should perish, but unchristian and unrhymed are the texts or words that should perish.

As in all other things, they precede us in having the most beautiful church services, beautiful and glorious monasteries and convents. But the preaching and teaching they practice in them serves the devil more than anything else and blasphemes God. For he is the prince and god of the world, therefore he must also have the most beautiful, best and most beautiful things.

They also have precious gold and silver monstrances and images adorned with jewels and precious stones, but inside they have dead men's legs, as much from the shingle as from anywhere else. Item, they have delicious church clothes, cassocks, coats, skirts, hats, infuls.*) But who is dressed under it or with it? Rotten bellies, wicked wolves, godless swine, who persecute and blaspheme God's word.

So they have also truly much excellent beautiful musica or singing, especially in the monasteries and parishes, but much unflattering idolatrous texts adorned with it. That is why we have stripped such idolatrous dead and mad texts.

*) Infuln (infulae) was originally the name of the two bands that hung down the back of the bishop's headdress (mitra), and was then used to refer to the mitre itself. D. Red.

and stripped them of the beautiful musica and dressed them in the living holy Word of God, to sing, praise and honor the same with it, so that such beautiful ornaments of the musica may serve their dear Creator and His Christians in the right way, that He may be praised and honored, but that we may be improved and strengthened in our faith through His holy Word with sweet song, driven into our hearts. May God the Father with Son and Holy Spirit help us. Amen.

But this is not our opinion, that these notes should be sung in all churches, every church keeps its notes according to its book and custom. For I do not like to hear it myself, where in a responsory or chant the notes are sung in a crazy way, neither I am used to it in my youth. It is a matter of changing the text and not the notes.

If one also wanted to honor the graves otherwise, it would be fine to paint or write good epitaphs or sayings from the Scriptures over them on the walls where they are, so that they would be before the eyes of those who went to the corpse or to the churchyard, namely thus or the like:

He fell asleep with his fathers and gathered to his people.

I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will raise me up out of the earth, and I will be clothed with my skin, and I will see God in my flesh etc. Job 19, 25. 26.

I lie and sleep and awake, for the Lord upholds me. Ps. 3, 6.

I lie down and sleep completely with peace. Ps.4, 9.

I will behold your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied when I awake in your image. Ps. 17,15.

God will deliver my soul from the power of hell, for he has accepted me. Ps. 46.

The death of his saints is worthy in the sight of the Lord. Ps. 116, 15.

The Lord will take away the covering on this mountain, so that all nations are covered, and the covering, so that all nations are covered, because he will swallow up death forever etc. Isa. 25, 7. 8.

Your dead shall live and rise with the body. Wake up and praise,

You who lie under the earth, for your dew is the dew of the green field. Isa. 26, 19.

Go, my people, into a chamber, and shut the door after you. Hide thyself a little while, till the wrath pass away etc. Isa. 26, 20.

The righteous are snatched away from disaster, and those who have walked rightly before them come to peace and rest in their chambers. Isa. 57 [56], 1. 2.

Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will open your graves, and I will bring you out of them, my people etc. Ezek. 37, 12.

I will deliver them from hell and save them from death. Death, I will be a poison to you; hell, I will be a pestilence to you. Hos. 13, 14.

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. But God is not a God of the dead, but of the living. Ex. 3, 6. Matth. 22, 32.

This is the will of the Father who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but that I should raise it up at the last day. Joh. 6, 39.

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Joh. 11, 25. 26.

No one lives to himself and no one dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ also died and rose again, and is alive again, that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. Rom. 14, 7-9.

If we hope in Christ alone in this life, we are the most miserable people of all. 1 Cor. 15, 19.

As in Adam they all die, so in Christ they will all be made alive. 1 Cor. 15, 22.

Death is entwined in victory. Death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory? But the sting of death is sin, which is

But the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1 Cor. 15, 55-57.

Christ is my life and dying is my gain. Phil. 1,21.

If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then God will also lead those who have fallen asleep through Jesus with Him. 1 Thess. 4, 14.

Such sayings and epitaphs adorned the churchyards better than otherwise other secular signs, shield, helmet etc.

(Follow the chants. After:)

But if someone were capable and funny, to put such sayings into good fine rhymes, that would be good, that they would be remembered the easier and read the better. For rhymes or verses make good aphorisms or proverbs, which one would rather use than otherwise plain speech.

Lucae 2.

In peace I am gone, For mine eyes have seen Thy Savior, O Lord, prepared by Thee For the light of all Christendom.

But I rest in this tomb

Until my Lord's return.

Lucae 2.

With peace and joy in good rest I closed my eyes and lay me down to sleep in my grave, Because I have seen your Savior,

Whom you have prepared for us all for the salvation of all Christendom, That he may be the eternal light of the Gentiles for a blessed glow, And that Israel may have glory and everlasting praise.

Joh. 11.

Christ is the truth and the life, The resurrection he will give.

He who believes in him, will gain life, even if he dies here in the flesh. He who lives and believes does him honor, will certainly never die.

Job 19.

In my misery this was my comfort, I said: He lives, who redeems me; In whom I trust in my distress. Will surround me again with my skin, that I may be awakened from death out of the earth.

In my flesh I will see God. It is certainly true and will happen.

The German Chants:

With Fried and Freud;

We all believe in one;

Now we ask the Holy One; Now let us take the body etc.

one may sing one after the other when one wants to go home from the funeral; so one may keep it with the Latin chants: Jam moesta quiesce, Si enim credimus, Corpora sanctorum, In pace sumus, etc.

4 Luther's new preface to the Val. Babst's hymnal of 1545.

Warning.

Many false masters now write songs, Beware and learn to judge them right. Where God builds his church and his word, There the devil wants to be with deceit and murder.

The 96th Psalm says, "Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth." It was in the Old Testament, under the Law

The service of God was almost difficult and laborious in the days of Moses, because they had to make many and various sacrifices of everything they had, both at home and in the field, which the people, being lazy and stingy, did not like to do at all, or did everything for the sake of temporal enjoyment, as the prophet Malachi says in 1 Cap. v. 10: "Who is there among you that shall shut a door in vain, or light a candle upon mine altar?" But where such a slothful unwilling heart

nothing or nothing good can be sung. Where one is to sing, one's heart and courage must be cheerful and merry. Therefore God has abandoned such lazy and unwilling worship, as He says there, v. 10, 11: "I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and your grain offerings are not pleasing to Me at your hands, for from the going out of the sun to its going down My name is glorious among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to My name, and a pure grain offering, for great is My name among the nations, says the Lord of hosts."

So now in the New Testament is a better service, of which here the96. Psalm, v. 11, says: "Sing to the Lord a new song Sing to the Lord all the earth." For God has made our hearts and minds joyful through His dear Son, whom He gave for us for redemption from sins, death and the devil. He who believes these things earnestly cannot refrain from them; he must sing and say them with joy and gladness, so that others may also hear them and come to them. But he who will not sing and say it is a sign that he does not believe it and does not belong to the new, happy testament, but to the old, lazy, unfunny testament.

Therefore, printers do very well to print good songs diligently and make them pleasing to the people with all kinds of adornment, so that they are stimulated to such joy of faith and sing gladly; as then this print of Valentin Babst is very merrily prepared.

May God grant that the Roman Pontiff, who has caused nothing but weeping, mourning and sorrow throughout the world by his damned, intolerable and unbearable laws, may be greatly harmed, amen.

But I must also admonish this; the song that is sung to the grave: "Now let us bury the body" etc., bears my name, but it is not mine, and my name shall henceforth be taken from it; not that I reject it, for it pleases me very well, and a good poet has made it, called Johannes Weiß (erroneously for: Michael Weiß), without him having enthused a little about the sacrament; but I do not want to appropriate anyone's work to myself.

And in the De Profundis (From the depths I call to you) it should stand thus: "that everyone must fear you"; is provided or is overmastered that almost in books stands: "that everyone must fear"; ut timearis. For it is spoken in Hebrew, as Matth. 15, 9: "In vain do they fear me with the doctrine of men"; and Psalm 14, 5. 53, 6: "They call not upon the Lord, but fear, because there is nothing to fear", that is, they can have much humility, stooping and ducking in their worship, because I will have no worship. So here also is the opinion, because nowhere else is forgiveness of sins to be found, but with you, so they must leave all idolatry and do it gladly, that they bow down before you, crouch down, crawl to the cross and only hold you in honor and have refuge in you and serve you, as those who live by your grace and not their own righteousness etc.

Preface to all good hymnals.

Ms. Musica.

Before all the joys on earth no one can be finer, For which I give with my singing and with many a sweet sound. Here cannot be a wicked courage, Where there sing journeymen well;

Here no anger, quarrel, hatred nor envy remains, All heartache must give way;

Avarice, care and what else is hard. Depart with all sadness. Also, everyone is free of it. That such joy is not a sin, but also pleases God much better. For all the joy of the whole world: It destroys the devil's work and prevents much evil murder. David the king's deed bears witness, Who has often pleased Saul with good sweet harp playing, So that he did not fall into great murder.

1434 L.Z6,Ws.;iM. III. Main part. - B. On devotional praying and singing. W. X, 17W. I7SS. 1435

To the divine word and truth it makes the heart quiet and ready, Such has Elisaeus confessed, Since he found the spirit through the harp. The best time of the year is mine, There all the little birds sing, Heaven and earth is full of them, Much good singing there is well. First of all the dear nightingale Makes everything happy everywhere With her lovely song, She must always have thanks. Much more the dear Lord God, who created her to be the right singer, a master of music.

To him she sings and jumps day and night; nothing tires her of his praise: my song honors and praises him, too, and gives him eternal thanks.

1. a new song of the two martyrs of Christ,

burned at Brussels by the Sophists of Louvain on July 1, 1823. - 1523.

A new song we lift up, that God, our Lord, will sing, what God has done to His praise and glory:

In Brussels in the Netherlands, through two young boys, he has made known his miraculous power, which he has so richly adorned with his gifts.

The first and foremost is called John,

So rich in God's bounty;

His brother: Heinrich, according to the spirit, a true Christian without debts:

From this world they have departed, They have acquired the crown, Right as the pious children of God Have died for his word, His martyrs they have become.

The old enemy had them caught, frightened them long with threats; The word of God they were made to deny, With cunning also they wanted to deceive.

Of lions the sophists much, With their art lost,

Gathered he to this game: The spirit made them fools, They could win nothing.

They sang sweet, they sang sau'r, Tried some lists;

The boys stood like a wall, despising the sophists.

The old enemy was very angry, that he was overcome by such boys, - he, so great: he was full of anger from hour on, thought to burn them.

They robbed him of the monastic garment, the consecration they also took from him; the boys were ready for it, they said happily: Amen.

They thanked their father God, that they should be rid of the devil's larvae, game and mockery, In which through false guises he deceived the world completely.

God sent them by his grace so that they became priests, had to sacrifice themselves to him there and go in the Christian order, be completely dead to the world, put away hypocrisy, come to heaven free and pure, sweep out monasticism and leave humanity here.

They wrote him a small letter, which they read themselves, The pieces they drew all three, What their faith had been.

The highest error of these was: One must believe God alone, Man lies and deceives forever, One should trust nothing. They had to burn it.

Two great fires they lit, The boys brought them here; It was a great wonder to everyone That they despised such torment.

With joy they joined in the praise and singing of God: The courage of the sophists was small Before these new things, Since God let himself be remembered thus.

The disgrace has now shamed them, they wanted to do it with pleasure, they must not boast of the deed, they are almost saving the things.

The shame in their hearts bites them

And lament it to their comrades;

But the spirit cannot be silent here: Abel's blood spilled, It must report the Cain.

The ashes won't let go, They dust in all lands, Here no brook, hole, pit nor grave helps, They disgrace the enemy.

Whom he has urged to remain silent in life through murder, He must let them sing joyfully dead in all places With all voices and tongues.

Nor do they let their lies adorn the great murder; They pretend a false poem, their knowledge presses them.

The saints of God are blasphemed by him even after death;

They say: in the last emergency

The boys still on earth shall have turned back.

Let them lie, after all, they have no devotee; we shall thank God in it, His word is come again.

Summer is hard at the door, Winter has passed, The tender flowers are coming: The one who started it, will probably finish it.

2. a song of thanksgiving for the highest benefits that God has shown us in Christ.

Now rejoice, dear Christians together, And let us leap joyfully, That we may sing confidently and all in one With joy and love:

What God has done for us, And his sweet miracles, He has earned so well.

To the devil I lay captive, In death I was lost, My sin tormented me night and day, Where I was born;

I also fell deeper and deeper, There was no good in my life, Sin possessed me.

My good works were not valid, It was spoiled with them, The free will hated God's judgment, He was dead to good.

Fear drove me to despair, so that nothing but dying remained with me, I had to sink to hell.

Then God lamented My misery exceedingly for eternity.

He thought of his mercy, he wanted to help me.

He turned his father's heart to me, It was truly no joke with him, He let me taste his best.

He said to his dear son: "The time is here for mercy; go, my heart's precious crown, and be salvation to the poor,

And help him out of the misery of his sins, and bring him to bitter death, and let him live with you.

The son became obedient to the father, He came to me on earth, From a virgin pure and tender He should become my brother.

He secretly wielded his power, He walked in my poor form, He wanted to catch the devil.

He said to me: "Stick to me, you shall succeed now, I give myself completely for you, I will wrestle for you.

For I am yours and you are mine, And where I abide, there you shall be, The enemy shall not separate us.

He'll spill my blood, rob me of my life, I'm too sorry for you, Hold this with firm faith.

Death swallows up my life, My innocence bears your sins, There you became blessed.

Heavenward to the Father I go from this life, There I will be the master of you, The spirit I will give you,

Who shall comfort thee in sorrow And teach me to know well And guide me in truth.

What I have done and taught, that you shall do and teach, that the kingdom of God may be increased in praise and honor,

And beware of people's sentences, from which the noble treasure is spoiled, I leave that to you for last.

The 12th Psalm: Help, Lord.

Ah, God, from heaven look in and have mercy!

How few are the saints yours, forsaken are we poor.

Your word is not allowed to be true, The faith is also extinguished in all the children of men.

They teach false cunning, what their own wit invents; Their heart is not of one mind, Founded in God's word:

The one chooses this, the other that, They separate us without any measure And shine beautifully from the outside.

God wants to eradicate all doctrines that teach us false pretenses, to which their tongues proudly speak: "Defiance, who will defend us?

We have right and power alone, What we set is universal;

Who is the one who should master us?

Therefore God says: I must be up, the poor are deserted, their sighs penetrate to me, I have heard their lament:

My healing word shall be on the plan, Comforted and fresh they attack And be the strength of the poor.

The silver, tried by fire seven times, is found louder: At God's word one shall wait Likewise all hours:

It will be proven through the cross, then its power will be recognized and shine and shine strongly in the lands.

You, God, want to keep it pure from this evil, and let us be commanded to you, so that it does not weave itself in us.

The godless house is found around, Where these loose people are raised in your people.

Glory be to God the Father always, to Christ the Only Begotten, and to the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, chosen high in heaven, as it was in the beginning and is now, and ever shall be in the world of worlds. Amen]

The 14th Psalm: The foolish speak in their heart.

The mouth of the unwise says: "We mean the right God;

But if their hearts are full of unbelief, they will deny him.

Their essence is indeed corrupt,

It is an abomination in the sight of God, no one does her any good.

God Himself looked down from heaven On all the children of men, To look at them He went, Whether He would find anyone,

The one who would have directed his mind, would have seriously followed God's words and asked for His will.

There was no one on the right track, They had all gone out, Each went after his delusion And kept lost customs.

None of them did her any good, although her courage deceived her a great deal: her deeds should please God.

How long will they be ignorant, who unload such toil, and for it free the people of mine, and feed on their harm?

They do not trust in God, they do not call upon Him in times of need, they want to provide for themselves.

That is why her heart is never still

And stands in fear at all times;

God wants to stay with the pious, whom they listen to with faith.

But you revile the poor man's counsel and scorn all that he says. That God has become his comfort.

Who shall Israel obtain salvation for the poor In Zion?

God will have mercy on His people

And solve the trapped:

He will do this through his son, Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.

5. 130th Psalm: From the depths I call.

Out of deep distress I cry to you, Lord God, hear my call, your gracious ears turn to me and open them to my plea;

For if thou wilt look upon that which is sinful and unrighteous, Who, O Lord, can remain before thee?

*Nothing is valid with you but grace and favor to forgive sins;

Our efforts are in vain

Even in the best life.

No one can boast of you; everyone must fear you and live by your grace.

Therefore in God I will hope, On my merit I will not build; In him my heart shall be lulled, And trust in his good, Which promises me his precious word, That is my comfort and faithful refuge, That I will always wait for.

And whether it lasts into the night And again into the morning, Yet shall not my heart in God's power Despair still worry.

So do Israel rightly, who was begotten of the Spirit, and perseveres in his God.

Whether with us there are many sins, With God there is much more grace; His hand to help has no goal, However great the damage.

He alone is the good shepherd, Who will redeem Israel from its sins to all.

*The second and third stanzas were combined into one stanza in the older arrangement of this song in the following way:

It is in your power alone,

Forgiving the sins,

That you fear both, great and small, even in the best life.

Therefore in God I will hope, My heart shall rely on him, I will persevere in his word. D. Red.

6. 67th Psalm: God, have mercy on us.

1524 or 25.

God would be gracious to us and give us His blessing, His face would illuminate us with bright light for eternal life:

That we may know his works and what is dear to him on earth, and that Jesus Christ, salvation and strength, may be known to the Gentiles and turn them to God.

So give thanks, O God, and praise You, the nations everywhere, And all the world rejoice, and sing with a great shout:

That you are judge on earth

And does not let sin prevail;

Your word is the guard and the pasture, which sustain all the people, to walk in the right path.

Thank you, God, and praise you

The people to good deeds;

The land bears fruit and improves Your word is well chosen.

May the Father and the Son bless us, May God the Holy Spirit bless us, May all the world give Him glory, May most people fear Him, And say from your heart: Amen.

The 128th Psalm: Blessed is he who fears the Lord.

Blessed is he who stands in the fear of God And walks in His way!

Your own hand shall nourish you, Then you live right and prosper.

Your wife will be in your house like a vine full of fine grapes, And your children around your table like oil plants healthy and fresh.

Behold, such rich blessings are in store for him who lives in the fear of God, from whom the old curse and wrath are born to the children of men.

Out of Zion God will bless you, so that you will only see the happiness of the city of Jerusalem, pleasing in the sight of God.

He shall be thy life, and with kindness ever with thee, that thou mayest see thy child, and that Israel may be at peace.

8. a hymn of praise from the birth of Christ.

Blessed art Thou, Jesus Christ, that Thou hast become man

From a virgin, that is true, the angels rejoice.

Kyrieleis.

The eternal Father's one child is now in the manger, The eternal good is disguised in our poor flesh and blood.

Kyrieleis.

Whom all the world's circle never ended, Who cherishes in Mary's womb, He has become a little child, Who alone sustains all things.

Kyrieleis.

The eternal light enters, Gives the world a new glow, It shines well in the middle of the night And makes us children of the light.

Kyrieleis.

The Son of the Father, God of kind, A guest in the world has become, And leads us out of the valley of tears, He makes us heirs in his hall.

Kyrieleis.

He came poor on earth, that he might have mercy on us, And in heaven made rich And like his dear angels.

Kyrieleis.

He has done all this to show us His great love;

All Christianity rejoices

And thank him forever.

Kyrieleis.

9. the song S. Johannis Huß improved.

Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who turned away the wrath of God from us, By the bitter suffering of his He helped us out of hell's torment.

That we may never forget, He gave us His body to eat, Hidden in bread so small, And His blood in wine to drink.

He who wants to go to the table should take care of his things: He who goes to it unworthily. For life receives death.

You shall praise God the Father. That he so well would feed thee, And for thy iniquity gave his Son to die.

1444 D. 56,3IK-3I8; 338. D. M. Luther's geistliche Lieder u. Psalmen. W. X. 1745. 1746.; 1755. 1445

Thou shalt believe and not waver, That food is for the sick, Whose heart is heavy with sins And sorrowful with anguish.

Such great grace and mercy a heart in great labor seeks: If thou art well, stay thou therefrom, that thou get not evil reward.

He himself says: Come, you poor! Let me have mercy on you; No physician is needed for the strong, His art becomes a mockery to him. If thou canst gain anything, What then may I die for thee? This table is not for you, if you want to help yourself.

If you believe this from your heart and confess it with your mouth, then you are well sent and the food of your lake is refreshed. The fruit shall also not fail: Thou shalt love thy neighbor, that he may enjoy thee, as thy God hath done for thee.

The song: Praise be to God.

Praise and glory be to God, Who has fed us Himself

With his flesh and with his blood, Give us, O Lord God, for good, Kyrieleison.

O Lord, by thy holy body, Which came from thy mother Mary, And the holy blood

Help us, O Lord, out of all distress. Kyrieleison.

The holy body is given for us to die that we may live through it.

No greater kindness could he bestow upon us, that we should remember.

Kyrieleison.

O Lord, your love so greatly compelled you, that your blood did great wonders for us, and paid our debt, that God was gracious to us.

Kyrieleison.

God give us all his blessing, That we may walk in his ways In right love and brotherly faithfulness, That we may not regret the food.

Kyrieleison.

Lord, your Holy Spirit never leave us, who gave us to keep a right measure, that your poor Christianity

Live in peace and unity.

Kyrieleison.

A prayer.

V. As often as you eat of this bread and drink of this cup,

R. You shall proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Let us pray. O dear Lord God, who commanded us to remember and preach your Passion in this wonderful Sacrament, grant that we may use such a Sacrament of your Body and Blood in such a way that we may daily fruitfully feel your salvation in us. Amen.

Another prayer.

V. Whoever eats of this bread or drinks of the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

We thank you, Almighty Lord God, that you have refreshed us with this healing gift, and we ask your mercy that you may make us grow in strong faith toward you and in fervent love toward all of us, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

11. the song of praise: In the midst of life we find.

(The Antiphona: Media vita,*) Germanized.)-1524.

In the midst of life we are embraced with death, Whom do we seek to help, That we may obtain mercy?

That is you, O Lord, alone.

*) This Latin antiphon dates from the eleventh century and reads as follows:

Media vita in morte sumus:

Quem quaerimus adjutorem nisi te, Domine?

Qui pro peccatis nostris juste irasceris,

We repent of our iniquity, which hath provoked thee to anger, O Lord.

Holy God, Holy strong God, Holy merciful Savior, You eternal God, Let us not sink into the bitter misery of death.

Kyrieleison.

In the midst of death, the jaws of hell attack us. Who will make us free and free from such distress?

You, Lord, do this alone.

Thy mercy laments our sin and great sorrow.

Holy HErre GOd, Holy strong GOd, Holy merciful Savior, You eternal GOd, Let us not despair

Before the deep glow of hell. Kyrieleison.

In the midst of hell fear Our sins drive us: . Where shall we flee to where we may stay?

To you, O Lord Christ, alone. Your precious blood is shed, which is enough for sins.

Holy God, Holy strong God, Holy merciful Savior, You eternal God, Let us not be deprived of the right consolation.

Kyrieleison.

12. a hymn of praise for Easter.

Jesus Christ, our Savior, Who overcame death, Has risen from the dead, He has caught sin.

Kyrie eleison.

He who was born without sins, bore God's wrath for us, reconciled us so that God would grant us his mercy.

Kyrie eleison.

Death, sin, life and also grace, all in his hands he has. He can save

All who step up to him.

Kyrie eleison.

A prayer.

Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more, alleluia.

Death will not reign over him henceforth, hallelujah.

Let us pray. Almighty God, who by the death of your Son destroyed sin and death, and by his resurrection restored innocence and eternal life, so that we, delivered from the power of the devil, may live in your kingdom: grant that we may believe this with all our hearts, and in such faith continually praise and give thanks to you, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

A prayer on the Ascension of Christ. V. Christ ascended on high, alleluia.

R. And caught the prison, Hall. or:

V. I ascend to my Father and to your Father, alleluia.

R. To my God and to your God, hallelujah.

Almighty God, grant to us who believe that your only Son, our Savior, ascended into heaven today, that we also may walk and dwell with him spiritually in the spiritual realm; through the same your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen.

13. the hymn: Christ is risen, improved.

Christ lay in bands of death, Given for our sins, He is risen again And has brought us life:

That we may be glad, praise God and be thankful and sing Hallelujah.

Hallelujah.

1448 L. 56, 321; 325. D. M. Luther's geistliche Lieder u. Psalmen. W. X, 1734.1735.; 1727. 1449

Death no one could force, With all the children of men, That makes all our sin, No innocence was to be found.

Death came so soon and took power over us, held us captive in his kingdom.

Hallelujah.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came in our place, and took away sin, and with it death.

All his right and his power, There remains nothing but the shape of death, The sting he has lost.

Hallelujah.

It was a wondrous war, When death and life wrestled, Life kept the victory, It devoured death.

The Scriptures have proclaimed that, as one death devoured another, a mockery of death has been made.

Hallelujah.

Here is the right paschal lamb, which God has commanded. This is roasted on the trunk of the cross in hot love.

The blood marks our door, Faith keeps it from death, The strangler cannot touch us.

Hallelujah.

So we celebrate the high feast With heartfelt joy and delight, Which the Lord lets shine for us, He Himself is the sun,

Who, through the splendor of his grace, enlightens our hearts completely; the night of sins is gone.

Hallelujah.

We eat and live well

In right Easter patties:

The old leaven not supposed to

Be at the word of grace: Christ alone will be the host And feed the soul alone, Faith will live no other.

Hallelujah.

14. the hymn: Veni redemptor gen

tium, *) Germanized.

Now come, the Savior of the Gentiles, the virgin child recognized, that all the world wonders, God ordered such a birth for him.

Not of man's blood nor of flesh, Only of the Holy Spirit God's Word has become a man And a' fruit blossoms woman's flesh.

The virgin's womb became pregnant But chastity remained purely preserved, Shining forth many a virtue beautiful, God was there in his throne.

He went out of the chamber his The royal hall so pure, God of kind and man a hero, His way he hastens to run.

His course came from the Father and returns to the Father, Descended to hell and again to God's chair. You, who are like the Father, bring forth the victory in the flesh, so that your eternal power of God may contain in us the sick flesh.

Your crib shines bright and clear The night gives a new light; Darkness must not come in, The faith always remains in the light.

Praise be to God, the Father, G'than, praise be to God, the only Son, praise be to God, the Holy Spirit, always and forever. - Amen.

A prayer.

Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.

Dear Lord God, wake us up so that when your Son comes, we may be ready to receive him with joy and serve you with a pure heart through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

15. the hymn: A solis ortus,*) Germanized.

The German text also sings well under the Latin notes.

We shall already praise Christ, the Son of the pure maiden Mary, as far as the dear sun shines and reaches to the end of the world.**) The blessed Creator of all things pulled a servant's body low, that he might strangle the flesh in the flesh †) And not spoil his creature all. The divine grace from heaven poured great into the chaste mothers, A maiden bore a secret pledge, That would be unknown to nature.

The splendid house of the heart tender soon became a temple of God, Which no man touched nor recognized, Of God's word one found pregnant. The noble mother gave birth, whom Gabriel promised before, Whom St. John's begot with leaping, While he still lay in mother's womb. ††) He lay in hay with poverty great, The manger did not harden him, It became a little milk his food, Who never let a little bird go hungry. ‡) The choirs of heaven rejoice and the angels sing praise to God; ‡‡) The shepherd and creator of all the world is announced to the poor shepherds.

*) This hymn, as well as the one under no. 35 (Herodes hostis), has the presbyter Cälius Sedulius, died 450, as author.

**) An edition from 1527 has:

As far as the sun shines. The earth ends and the sea floods.

†) In the cited edition it says for this: So that he may acquire grace for us in the flesh.

††) This stanza appears in the following form: Die edle Mutter uns gebar, Den Gabriel verkünd't zuvor, Den St. Johann's mit Springen praist und solch's in Mutter Leib beweist.

‡) The last two lines thus read: Deß Leib gar kleine Milch ernährt, Der allem Fleisch sein' Speis' beschert.

‡‡) In the aforementioned edition it says for it: The angels sing: To God be praise. D. Redactor.

Praise, honor, and thanks be to you, O Christ, born of a pure handmaid, With Father and the Holy Spirit, From now on until eternity.*) -Amen.

16 The chant: Come, Holy Spirit.

(The Antiphona: Veni, Sancte Spiritus,**) Germanized.) 1524.

Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God, fill with Your grace the hearts, minds and spirits of Your faithful, kindle Your fervent love in them.

O Lord, through your light †) To faith you have gathered The people of all the tongues of the world, That be sung to you, O Lord, in praise.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

Thou holy light, noble refuge, Let us shine the word of life, And teach us to know God rightly, To call him Father from the heart.

O Lord, keep us from strange doctrine, That we seek not masters more, But JEsum with right faith And trust him with all our might.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

Thou holy bride, sweet consolation, Now help us to remain cheerful and confident In thy service steadfast, The affliction does not drive us away.

O Lord, by thy power prepare us, And strengthen the flesh's stupidity, That here we may wrestle chivalrously, Through death and life reach thee.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

*) For this, the 1527 edition has: Christe, geborm von der Magd, Mit dem Vater und Geist gesend't In Ewigkeit an alles End'.

**) This Pentecostal antiphon, which belongs to the 11th century, has the following wording:

Veni, sancte Spiritus, Reple tuorum corda fidelium. Et tui amoris in eis ignem accende, Qui pro diversitatem linguarum cunctarum Gentes in unitatem fidei congregasti,

Alleluia, Alleluia.

17 The hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus, *) Germanized.

Come, God Creator, Holy Spirit, visit the heart of men thine, Fill them with graces, as thou knowest, That thy creature be before.

For thou art called the Comforter, The Most High's gift theu'r, A' spiritual anointing, turned to us, A living fountain, love and fire.

Light our minds with a light, Give us love's fervor in our hearts, The weak flesh within us, known to thee, Receive firmly thy strength and favor.

You are with gifts sevenfold The finger at God's right hand, The Father's word you soon give With tongues in all the land.

Drive away the enemy's cunning from us, Make peace with us your grace, That we may gladly follow your guidance And avoid the harm of our souls.

Teach us to know the Father well, and Jesus Christ His Son, so that we may be full of faith to understand You, the Spirit of both.

Praise be to God the Father and to the Son, Who rose from the dead, To the Comforter be this done For ever and ever. - Amen.

18. the ten commandments of god.

To the sound: In God's name we go.

These are the holy ten commandments, which our Lord God gave us through Moses, his servant faithful, high on Mount Sinai.

Kyrieleis.

I alone am your God the Lord, You shall have no more gods, You shall trust me completely Love me from the bottom of your heart.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not dishonor the name of God thy Lord, Thou shalt not praise rightly nor well, Without what God Himself speaks and does.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt sanctify the seventh day, that thou and thy house may rest; Thou shalt cease from thy doings, that God may have His work in thee.

Kyrieleis.

You shall honor and obey your father and mother, And where your hand can serve them, You shall have long life.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not kill angrily; thou shalt not take vengeance on thyself; thou shalt have patience and gentle courage; thou shalt do good even to the enemy.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt keep thy marriage pure, that thine heart may not be with another, and keep thy life chaste with discipline and temperance.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not steal money nor goods, Thou shalt not usurp anyone's sweat and blood, Thou shalt open thy lenient hand To the poor in thy land.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not be a false witness, Thou shalt not lie to thy neighbor, Thou shalt also save his innocence And cover his shame.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife and house, nor anything in return; thou shalt wish him well, as thine own heart doth.

Kyrieleis.

The G'bot' all are given to us,

That you may know your sin, O child of man, and learn well how to live before God.

Kyrieleis.

The Lord Jesus Christ, who became our mediator, helps us: It is lost with our deeds, but deserves vain wrath.

Kyrieleis.

19. the german patrem.

We all believe in One God, Creator of heaven and earth, Who gave Himself as Father, that we might become His children.

He will always nourish us, keep body and soul safe, He will ward off all accidents, No harm shall befall us, He cares for us, guards and watches, Everything is in his power.

We also believe in Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord, who is eternal with the Father, equal with God in power and glory;

From Mary, the virgin, a true man is born Through the Holy Spirit in faith For us who were lost, Died on the cross and from death rose again by God.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, God with Father and Son, Who is called the Comforter of all wretches, And adorns with gifts beautiful;

The whole Christianity on earth holds in one mind, Here all sins are forgiven, The flesh shall live again.

After this misery is ready

Give us life for eternity. - Amen.

20. God the Father is with us. 1525.

God the Father dwell with us And let us not perish,

Make us free of all sins and help us to die blessed.

Protect us from the devil, Keep us in firm faith, And on you let us build, Trust from the bottom of our hearts, To you we pledge ourselves wholly;

With all right Christians

Escape from the devil's lifts, with God's weapons we will survive.

Amen, Amen, let this be true, So let us sing Hallelujah.

Jesus Christus wohn' uns bei und lassen uns nicht verderben, etc.

Heil'ger Geist der wohn' uns bei und lassen uns nicht verderben, etc.

A prayer.

V. We praise God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Hallelujah;

R. And praise him from now until eternity, hallelujah.

Almighty, eternal God, who has taught us to know and confess in right faith that you are one, eternal God in three persons of equal power and honor, and that you are to be worshipped for this: we pray that you will always keep us firm in such faith against everything that may challenge us, who lives and reigns from eternity to eternity, amen.

Now follow spiritual songs, in which the catechism is briefly summarized; for we would like the Christian doctrine to be diligently practiced in all kinds of ways, with preaching, reading, singing, etc., and always to be presented to the young and simple people, and thus to be kept pure for and for, and to be brought to our descendants; for this may God grant grace and blessing through Jesus Christ, amen.

21. the hymn of Simeon: Lord, now let thou.

With peace and joy I go, In God's will, I am comforted in my heart and mind, Gentle and quiet.

As God promised me:

Death has become my sleep.

That makes Christ, true Son of God, the faithful Savior,

Whom thou hast made me to see, O Lord, And hast made known that he is life, and salvation in trouble and in death.

You have introduced him to everyone

With great graces,

To his kingdom the whole world

Hot load

By thy precious word of salvation, in all places resounded.

It is the bright and blessed light for the Gentiles,

To 'rleuchten, die dich kennen nicht, Und zu weiden.

He is your people Israel

The prize, honor, joy and delight.

[Glory to God the Father and the Son

And the spirit,

Who, in this wretched world, grant us His mercy,

How it was and is now

And remain steadfast. Amen]

A prayer.

Now, O Lord, let your servant go in peace;

For my eyes have seen your Savior.

Almighty, eternal God, we sincerely pray that we may know and praise your dear Son, as St. Simeon took him in his arms in the flesh and saw and confessed him in the spirit, through the same your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer of the Passion of Christ.

V. Christ is wounded for our iniquity;

R. And crushed for the sake of our sin.

Merciful, eternal God, who did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross, grant that our hearts may never be troubled or despondent in this faith, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Another prayer.

V. The punishment is upon him, that we may have peace,

R. And by his wounds we are healed.

Almighty Father, eternal God, who sent your Son to suffer the agony of the cross for us, so that you might drive away the power of the enemy from us, grant us to commit and give thanks to your suffering, so that we may thereby obtain forgiveness of sins and redemption from eternal death, through your Son etc.

22. the ten commandments in the shortest way.

Man, if you want to live blissfully and remain with God forever, you must keep the ten commandments which our God gives us.

Kyrieleis.

I am your God and Lord alone, No other God shall deceive you, My heart shall trust in you, You shall be my own kingdom.

Kyrieleis.

You shall honor my name beautifully and call upon me in times of need, You shall sanctify the Sabbath day, so that I may work in you.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt be obedient to thy father and mother after me; thou shalt kill no man, nor be angry, and keep thy marriage pure.

Kyrieleis.

Thou shalt not steal from another, thou shalt not bear false witness to another, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, and thou shalt gladly do without all his goods.

Kyrieleis.

The 124th Psalm: Where the Lord was not with us'.

If God were not with us this time, Israel shall say, If God were not with us this time, We would have had to despair, Who are such a poor lot, Despised by so many children of men, Who set all on us.

At us so angry is their mind, Where God would have admitted it, They would have devoured us with all their body and life.

We would be drowned as the one flood and over which great water runs, and washed away with force.

Praise and thanks be to God, who did not admit That her gullet might sing to us; Like a bird of the rope comes off, Our soul has escaped.

The rope is broken and we are free, The Lord's name is with us, God's heaven and earth.

24. the hymn of praise: Now we ask the Holy Spirit.

Now we ask the Holy Spirit for the right faith most of all, that he may protect us at our end, when we go home from this misery.

Kyrieleis.

Thou precious light, give us thy light, Teach us to know Jesus Christ alone, That we may abide in him, the faithful Savior, Who brought us to the right fatherland.

Kyrieleis.

Thou sweet love, give us thy favor, Let us feel love's heat, That we may love one another with all our hearts And remain in peace on one mind.

Kyrieleis.

You supreme comforter in all distress,

Help us not to fear shame nor death, That our senses may not despair, When the enemy will sue for life.

Kyrieleis.

A prayer.

Create in me, God, a pure heart; tz. And give me a new certain spirit. O Lord God, dear Father, who - on this day - have enlightened and taught the hearts of your faithful by your Holy Spirit: grant that we also may have right understanding through the same Spirit, and that we may rely on his comfort and strength at all times, through the same your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen.

25. the german sanctus.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts etc. - Isa. 6,1-4.

It happened to Isaiah, the prophet, that he saw the Lord sitting in the spirit on a high throne in bright splendor, the hem of his garment completely filled the choir. Two seraphs stood by it, Six wings he saw each have: With two they hid their faces clearly, With two they covered their feet, And with the other two they flew free, Another they called with a great cry:

Holy is God the Lord of hosts, Holy is God the Lord of hosts, Holy is God the Lord of hosts, His glory has filled the whole earth.

The swell and the beams tremble from the scream,

The house was also all full of smoke and fog.

The hymn: Te Deum laudamus,*) Germanized.

First chorus:

O Lord God, we praise You, Father forever and ever, all the angels and host of heaven, cherubim and seraphim, too, Holy is our God,

Second chorus:

O Lord God, we thank you. Honors the world far and wide. And what serves your honor, Singing always with a high voice Holy is our God,

Holy is our God,

Both choirs together:

The HErre Zebaoth.

First chorus:

Your divine power and glory The holy twelve messengers number The precious martyrs all around The whole worthy Christendom You, God the Father, in the highest throne, The Holy Spirit and Comforter worthy You King of honors, Jehovah Christ, The Virgin's body not spurned, You hold death's power destroyed You sit at God's right hand like A judge you are in the future Now help us, Now help us, O Lord, the servants of thy, Let us be partakers in heaven Help thy people, O Lord Jesus Christ, Watch over and care for them at all times Daily, O Lord God, we praise thee Keep us safe today, O faithful Lord, Have mercy on us, O Lord God, Show us thy mercy, In thee we hope, dear Lord,

A prayer on the Te Deum laudamus.

V. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; R. And his goodness endures forever.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, from whom we receive without ceasing all kinds of good things in abundance, and are daily mercifully protected from all evil: we pray thee, grant us through thy Spirit to know all these things with a whole heart in right faith, that we may here and there give thanks and praise for ever to thy loving-kindness and mercy, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Second chorus:

Goes far across heaven and earth. And the dear prophets all, Praise thee, O Lord, with great sound. Praise thee on earth at all times; Thy right and unique Son, With right service they praise and honor. God the Father's eternal Son thou art; To redeem the human race. And all Christians to heaven brought. With all honor into the Father's kingdom. All that is dead and living. Who with thy [precious] blood are redeemed. With the saints in eternal salvation. And bless that which is thy inheritance, And lift them up forever. And honor thy name continually.

From all sin and iniquity; Be merciful to us in all distress. As our hopes are with thee. In disgrace leave us nevermore.

Another prayer.

V. Lord, I will praise you daily; R. And praise your name forever and ever.

Let us pray. Almighty God, who art the protector of all who hope in thee, without whose grace no one is able to do anything, nor does anything count before thee: let thy mercy be abundantly extended to us, that by thy holy inspiration we may think what is right, and by thy working accomplish the same, for the sake of JEsu Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

27. 46th Psalm: God is our confidence and strength.

A' strong fortress is our God, A' good defense and weapon;

He helps us free from all distress, which has now affected us.

The old evil enemy

With seriousness he means it now, Great power and much cunning His cruel armor is, On earth is not his equal.

With our power nothing is done, we are soon lost: The right man fights for us, whom God himself has chosen.

Do you ask who he is? His name is Jesus Christ, the Lord of hosts, and he is no other God;

He must keep the field.

And if the world were full of devils and wanted to swallow us whole, We are not so afraid, we shall succeed.

1462 L. 86,344,345th; 348th Ill, main st. - B. On the night. Praying & Singing. H. X. 1749; 1753; 1730. 1463

The prince of this world, how sau'rly he poses, He does nothing to us, That makes, he is judged; A little word can fell him.

The word they shall let stand And have no thanks for it, He is with us well on the plan With his spirit and gifts.

Take the body,

Well, honor, child and wife, Let it go there, You have no profit, The kingdom must remain for us.

28. the Antiphona: Da pacem, Domine, German.

Grant us peace, O Lord God, in our time, for there is no one else who could fight for us, for you, our God, alone.

A prayer.

God, grant peace in your land, happiness and salvation to all.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast created holy courage, good counsel, and righteous works, give to thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may cleave unto thy commandments, and that we may live our days quietly and safely from our enemies by thy protection, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

29. a child's love for Christmas.

From heaven on high I come, I bring you good new tales, To good tales I bring so much, That I want to sing and say.

A child is born to you today, chosen by a virgin, A child so tender and fine, That shall be your joy and delight.

It is the Lord Christ, our God, Who will lead you out of all distress, He will be your Savior Himself, He will make you clean from all sins.

He brings you all the blessedness that God the Father has prepared, so that you may live with us in the kingdom of heaven now and forever.

So notice the sign rightly: The manger, little wind so bad, There you will find the child laid, Who sustains and carries all the world.

Let us all rejoice and go in with the shepherds, To see what God has given us, With His dear Son adored.

Look up, my heart, and see: What is in the manger?

What is the beautiful child?

It is the dear JEsulein.

Be willing, you noble guest,

The sinner you do not spurn, And come to me in misery, How shall I always thank you?

O Lord, Creator of all things, How art thou become so lowly, That thou liest there on dry grass, Whereof an ox and a donkey did eat.

And if the world were many times as wide, Prepared of precious stone and gold, It would still be much too small for you, To be a narrow cradle.

The velvet and the silk thine That is coarse hay and wind, On which thou kings, so great and rich, Leap as if it were thy heavenly kingdom.

So this has pleased you, the truth shows me: How all the world's power, honor and good are of no value before you, nothing helps nor does.

Oh, my dearest JEsulein, Make thee a pure and gentle bed, To rest in my heart's shrine, That I may never forget thee.

1464 L 56,349-352. D. M. Luther's geistliche Lieder u. Psalmen. W. X. 1731; 1755; 1741. 1465

That I may always be happy, To jump, always sing freely The right Susaninne beautiful, With heart's desire the sweet note.

Praise and honor be to God in the highest throne, Who gives us His only Son, That the angels rejoice and sing us such a new year.

30 A Song of the Holy Christian Church.

From the 12th chapter of the Revelation of John. 1535.

She is dear to me, the precious maid, and I cannot forget her.

Praise, honor and discipline from her they say, She has touched my heart.

I hold her

And if I should have great misfortune, There is nothing in it. She will delight me with her love and faithfulness to me, which she will set to me and do all my desire.

She wears a crown of gold so pure, There shine in twelve stars, Her dress is beautiful like the sun, That shines bright and far;

And on the moon her feet stand, she is the bride, entrusted to the Lord;

She is in pain and must give birth to a beautiful child, the noble son, and a lord of all the world, to whom she is subject.

The old dragon is angry and wants to devour the child; his rage is completely lost, he cannot succeed.

The child is taken up to heaven and almost lets him rage on earth. The mother must be alone, but God will protect her and be the right father.

31 The Lord's Prayer

briefly laid out and put into song.

Our Father in the Kingdom of Heaven, You who call us all brothers and call us to You, and want us to pray for you:

Grant that the mouth alone may not pray, Help that it may go from the bottom of the heart.

Hallowed be thy name, Thy word with us help keep pure, That we too may live holy according to thy name worthy.

Protect us, O Lord, from false doctrine, The poor deceived people convert.

Your kingdom come at this time and thereafter for eternity;

May the Holy Spirit be with us

With his gifts many things.

Destroy Satan's wrath and great power and save your church from him.

Your will be done, Lord God, on earth and in the kingdom of heaven at the same time;

Give us patience in time of suffering, obedience in love and sorrow:

Defend and protect all flesh and blood that goes against your will.

Give us today our daily bread

And what you can do for your physical needs;

Protect us, O Lord, from strife and strife,

Before pestilence and before dear time, That we may stand in good peace, Idle of care and avarice.

Forgive us all our trespasses, O Lord, so that they no longer grieve us, just as we gladly forgive our debtors their trespasses and faults.

Make us all ready to serve in true love and unity.

Lead us not, O Lord, into temptation, When the evil foe assails us, On the left hand and on the right Help us make strong resistance,

Firm in faith and well-founded, and by the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

From all evil deliver us, The time and days are evil; Deliver us from eternal death And comfort us in the last distress.

Give us also a blessed end, Take our soul into your hand.

Amen; that is: let it come true.

Strengthen our faith forever, so that we do not doubt that we have asked for this.

To your word in the name of your. So we say the Amen finely.

A collecte to the Father-Our.

V. Ask and you shall receive;

R. That your joy may be complete.

or:

V. Call me in time of need,

R. So I will save you, so you shall praise me.

O Lord God Almighty, who dost not spurn the sighs of the wretched, nor despise the desire of the afflicted heart, behold our prayer which we make unto thee in our affliction, and hear us graciously, that all that both devil and man strive against us may be brought to nought, and be cut off according to the counsel of thy goodness, of devils and men strive against us, be destroyed, and be cut asunder according to the counsel of thy lovingkindness; that we, unscathed by all temptation, may give thee thanks in thy church, and praise thee always through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

Another Collecte.

V. You hear the desire of the wretched, O Lord.

R. Her heart is sure that your ear will notice it.

or:

V. Before they call, I will answer.

R. If they are still talking, I want to hear.

O Lord God, heavenly Father, you know that we may not remain in so many and great dangers because of human weakness: grant us, both in body and soul, that we may overcome everything that torments us because of our sin, through your help, for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

32. the hymn: Hostis Herodes, Germanized.

In the tone: A solis ortus.

Why do you, Herod the enemy, fear so much that Christ the Lord will be born to us? He seeks no mortal kingdom, Who brings to us his kingdom of heaven.

The wise men follow the star, Such light to the right light they brought, They show with the gifts three, This child God, man and king be. The heavenly Lamb of God took the baptism in the Jordan, Thereby, who never did any sin, Washed us from sins.

A new miracle happened there. Six stone jars were seen, full of water that lost its nature, and through his word became red wine. Praise, honor and thanks be to you, Christ, born of the pure maiden, With Father and the Holy Spirit, From now on until eternity. - Amen.

A spiritual song of our holy baptism.

In it, finely summarized: what it is? who founded it? what it is good for?

Christ, our Lord, came to the Jordan according to His Father's will, took baptism from St. John's to fulfill His work and ministry.

Then he would give us a bath, To wash us from sins, To drown even the bitter death By his own blood and wounds: There was a new life.

So hear and know well, what God means even by baptism, and what a Christian should believe, to avoid heresy.

God speaks and wills that the water be But not just plain water, His holy word is also there With rich spirit without measure:

He is the Baptist here.

He proved this to us clearly with images and words: The Father's voice was clearly heard there at the Jordan.

He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. I have commanded you to hear him, all of you, and to follow his life.

The Son of God himself stands here in his tender humanity, the Holy Spirit descends disguised in the image of a dove,

That we should not doubt it, When we are heaped, All three persons baptized, That with us on earth to dwell may arise.

His' disciple is called the Lord Christ: Go, teach all the world that it is lost in sins, that it should turn to repentance.

He who believes and lets himself go, Shall thereby be saved, A newborn man he is called, Who can die no more;

The Kingdom of Heaven shall inherit.

He who does not believe in this great grace, He remains in his sins And is condemned to eternal death Deep in the pit of hell.

Nothing helps his own holiness, all his doings are lost;

The original sin makes it a nullity, because he is born;

Can't help him himself.

The eye alone sees the water, as men pour water; The faith in the spirit understands the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, And is before him a red flood of Christ's blood colored, Which heals all harm, Inherited from Adam, Even committed by ourselves.

34. a child love,

to sing Against the two hereditary enemies of Christ and His Holy Church, the Pope and the Turk.

Keep us, O Lord, in thy word, and prevent the murder of the pabst and the Turk, who would overthrow Jesus Christ, thy Son, from thy throne.

Prove your power, O Lord Jesus Christ, who are Lord of lords: Protect your poor Christianity, that it may praise you forever.

God, the Holy Spirit, you who are the comforter, Give your people a single mind on earth, Stand by us in our last need, Guide us to life out of death.*)

35. another christian song.

In the tone: Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her. 1543.

From heaven came the host of angels, Appearing to the shepherds, They told him: A babe tender, That lies there in the manger hard, In Bethlehem in David's city, As Micah has proclaimed. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of you all.

You should be glad that God has become one with you; He was born in your flesh and blood, your brother is the eternal good.

What can sin and death do to you? You have the true God with you, let the devil and hell be angry: God's Son has become your companion.

He will not and cannot leave you, if you put your trust in him. You may be challenged by many: Defy him who cannot let it go. In the end you must be right, You have now become God's family, Give thanks to God forever, Patiently, joyfully always. - Amen.

*The song has been expanded by Justus Jonas, Joh. Walther and others. D. Red.

A prayer.

V. A child is born to us, hallelujah. R. A son is given to us, hallelujah.

or:

V. The Word became flesh, alleluia: R. And dwelt among us, alleluia.

or:

V. The Savior is born to you today, Hall. R. Which is Christ, the Lord, in the

City of David's, Hallelujah.

Help, dear Lord God, that we may become and remain partakers of the new bodily birth of your dear Son and be done with our old sinful birth, through the same your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

36 The hymn: O lux beata,*) Germanized.

You who are three in unity, A true God from eternity: The sun departs from us with the day, Let your divine light shine for us.

In the morning, God, we praise you, In the evening we pray before you, Our poor song praises you now, always and forever.

Glory be to God the Father, to God the Son, who is the One Lord, and to the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, from now until eternity. - Amen.

37. a song for the children,

so that they may exorcise the pope at Mid-Lent.**) 1541.

Now we drive the pope out of Christ's church and God's house, where he has ruled murderously, deceiving countless souls.

Troll out, you damned son, You red bride of Babylon, You are the abomination and antichrist, Full of lies, murder and wicked cunning.

Your letter of indulgence, bull and decree, now lies sealed in the secret, With it you stole the world's good And thereby also desecrate Christ's blood.

The Roman idol is finished, the right pope we accept, that is God's son, the rock and Christ, on whom his church is built.

He is the highest priest tender, On the cross he was sacrificed, His blood for our sin shed, Right indulgence from his wounds flowed.

His church he rules by his word, God the Father Himself invests him, He is the head of Christendom, To Him be praise, glory forever.

A fresh summer is approaching;

Give us peace and rest, give us, Lord, a blessed year, protect us from the Pope and the Turks.

38. to sing on the way back.*)

The Pabst and Greu'l is ausg'trieben, Christ brings us the summer again The summer and also the May, The Blümlein mancherleie.

The little flowers are his word and teaching, He has given them to us again, They smell good and are quite beautiful And make us pleasant to him.

They show us that we are pious through this mediator and patron, And that we are the heirs of his through his torture and heavy chastisement.

*This song first appeared under Luther's name, as far as is known, in the Königsberg Gesangbuche of 1569 (Enchiridion. By Johann Daubmann).

D. Red.

To whom we shall always be grateful In praise and service alone For such dear summertime, Which he lets shine far and wide

We thank thee and praise thee that thou hast so graciously redeemed us and made us clean from the pope's lies and false appearances.

A fresh summer is approaching; Grant us peace and rest from Christ, Give us, O Lord, a blessed year, Protect us from the Pope and the Turks.

39. against Duke Henry of Brunswick.

Oh, you wicked fool, what have you done that you have let many pious people be murdered by fire?

You will suffer great torment in hell, you must be Lucifer's companion forever.

Kyrieleison.

Ah, lost papists, what have you done that you could not let the true Christians live?

You have great shame, which shall remain forever,

It goes through all the lands, and shall you become great.

Kyrieleison.

If I once fill up this little song, I will also find the quiet ones in Mainz.

40. O poor Judas, Christianly changed.

Our great sin and grave iniquity has put Jesus, the true Son of God, on the cross.

Therefore we you, poor Judas, in addition to the Jews crowd,

Not hostile may scold; the fault is ours though.

Kyrieleison.

Praised be you, Christ, who hung on the cross,

And for our sin you have received much shame and strokes.

Now reign with your Father in the Kingdom of Heaven;

Make us all blessed in this earthly kingdom.

Kyrieleison.

41 Another interpretation of the 128th Psalm, put in verse form.

If thou wilt live blessedly in the sight of God, my dear Christian, at this time: then fear God the Lord, and love shall always be thy way and my commandment.

Your handiwork you nourish, So you live rightly and blessedly, Your wife, your house with children Will adorn like grapes the vine fine.

Your children will be like oil plants around your table, healthy and fresh. See, God so richly blesses the man who can trust Him with all his heart.

God will make the man blessed here and there with His Word;

His goods and food will stand well, Much child he shall see.

He who desires such a thing, let him say: Amen.

1474 L. 56, 362. 363. 360. in. Hptst. - L. From the andücht. Praying & Singing. W. X, 1758. SS. 1761. 62. 1475

42. latina litania correcta.

(The Latin litany improved.)

Pater de coelis, Deus, Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus,

Spiritus sancte, Deus,

miserere nobis.

Domine.

Domine.

Ab omni peccato

Ab omni errore

Ab omni malo

Ab insidiis diaboli

A subitanea et improvisa morte

A peste et fame

A bello et caede

A seditione et simultate

A fulgure et tempestatibus

A morte perpetua

Per mysterium sanctae incarnationis tuae

Per sanctam nativitatem tuam

Per baptismum, jejunium et tentationes tuas

Per agoniam et sudorem tuum sanguineum

Per crucem et passionem tuam Per mortem et sepulturam tuam Per resurrectionem et ascensionem tuam

Per adventum Spiritus Sancti, Paracleti

In omni tempore tribulationis nostrae

In omni tempore felicitatis nostrae

In hora mortis

In the judicii

libera nos, Domine.

Peccatores,

Ut ecclesiam tuam sanctam catholicam regere et gubernare digneris,

te rogamus, audi nos.

43. the german litany.*)

What is indented in parentheses ( ) is not found in the German litany, but only in the Latin litany.

Lord God, Father in Heaven,

O Lord God, Son, Savior of the world,

Lord God, Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

o Lord God.

Lord God.

Before all sins

Above all error

Especially Uebel

From the devil's deceit and trickery

Before evil quick death

Before pestilence and dear time

Before war and blood

From turmoil and discord

Before hail and thunderstorms

Before eternal death

keep us safe, dear Lord God.

(Through the mystery of your holy incarnation)

Through your holy birth

(Through your baptism, fasting and temptations).

Through your death throes and bloody sweat

Through your cross and (suffering) death (Through your death and burial) Through your holy resurrection and

Ascension

(Through the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit).

(In all repugnance and contestation).

(In all happiness and prosperity)

In 'our last distress

At the Last Judgment

help us, dear Lord God.

We poor sinners ask.

And govern and lead your holy Christian church,

You will hear us, dear Lord God.

1476 L. 56, 361.364. D. M. Luther's geistliche Lieder u. Psalmen. W. X, 1759.60.1762.63. 1477

Ut cunctos episcopos, pastores et ministros ecclesiae in sano verbo et sancta vita servare digneris,

Ut sectas et omnia scandala tollere digneris,

Ut errantes et seductos reducere in viam veritatis digneris,

Ut satanam sub pedibus nostris conterere digneris,

Ut operarios fideles in messem tuam mittere digneris,

Ut incrementum verbi et fructum Spiritus cunctis audientibus donare digneris,

Ut lapsos erigere et stantes confortare digneris,

Ut pusillanimos et tentatos consolari et adjuvare digneris,

Ut regibus et principibus cunctis pacem et concordiam donare digneris,

Ut caesari nostro perpetuam victoriam contra hostes suos donare digneris,

Ut principem nostrum cum suis praesidibus dirigere et tueri

digneris,

Ut magistratui et plebi nostrae benedicere et custodire digneris,

Ut afflictos et periclitantes respicere et salvare digneris,

Ut praegnantibus et lactentibus felicem partum et incrementum largiri digneris,

Ut infantes et aegros fovere et custodire digneris,

Ut captivos liberare digneris,

Ut pupillos et viduas protegere et providere digneris,

Ut cunctis hominibus misereri digneris,

Ut hostibus, persecutoribus et calumniatoribus nostris ignoscere et eos convertere digneris,

Ut fruges terrae dare et conservare digneris,

Ut nos exaudire digneris,

te rogamus, audi nos.

Keep all bishops, parish priests and church servants in the salutary word and holy life,

To fend off all the hordes and all the annoyances,

All erring and seduced again- brinaen,

Treading Satan under our feet,

Sending faithful laborers into your harvest,

Your spirit and power to give words,

(Raising the fallen and preserving those who are standing).

Help and comfort all the afflicted and the stupid,

Give peace and harmony to all kings and princes,

Grant our emperor constant victory against his enemies,

Guide and protect our sovereign with all his mighty,

Bless and keep our council and community,

Appear with help to all who are in distress and danger,

Give all pregnant and nursing women joyful fruit and flourishing,

All children and the sick care and maintain,

Release all prisoners and leave them single,

Defend and provide for all widows and orphans,

Have mercy on all people,

Forgiving our enemies, persecutors and blasphemers and converting them,

Give and preserve the fruits in the countryside,

And graciously hear us,

You will hear us, dear Lord God.

O JEsu Christe, Son of God,

hear us, dear Lord God.

nobis.

nobis.

pacem.

Amen.

Pater noster etc.

Oratio.

V. Domine, non secundum peccata nostra facias nobis,

R. Neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuas nobis.

Oremus. Deus, misericors Pater, qui contritorum non despicis gemitum et moerentium non spernis affectum, adesto precibus nostris, quas in afflictionibus, quae jugiter nos premunt, coram te effundimus, easque clementer exaudi, ut hoc, quod contra nos diabolicae ac humanae fraudes moliuntur, ad nihilum redigatur consilioque tuae bonitatis dispergatur, ut nullis insectationibus laesi in ecclesia tua sancta tibi semper gratias agamus, per Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Alia:

V. Adjuva nos, Deus, salutaris noster;

R. Et propter gloriam nominis tui libera nos, propitius esto peccatis nostris propter nomen tuum.

Omnipotens, aeterne Deus, cujus spiritu totum corpus ecclesiae sanctificatur et regitur; exaudi nos pro universis ordinibus supplicantes, ut dono gratiae tuae ab his omnibus pura fide tibi serviatur, per Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.

O Lamb of God, who has given the world

O Lamb of God, who has given the world

about us.

O Lamb of God, who has given the world

constant peace.

Amen.

(Our Father etc.)

A prayer on the litany.

V. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins;

R. And do not repay us according to our iniquity.

(Let us pray. O Lord God, merciful Father, who do not spurn the sighs of the wretched, nor despise the grief of the sorrowful, look upon our prayers which we pour out before thee in our continual temptations, and hear them graciously, so that all devilish and human cunning and deceit may be destroyed and put to shame by the determination of your goodness, so that we, unharmed in all persecutions, may always give thanks to you in your holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen).

Another prayer.*)

V. Help us, God of our salvation, for your name's sake;

R. Save us and forgive us our sin for your name's sake.

Almighty, eternal God, who by your Holy Spirit sanctify and govern all Christianity, hear our petition and graciously grant that it may serve you with all its members in pure faith by your grace, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Alia;

V. Peccavimus, Domine; cum patribus nostris;

R. Injuste egimus, iniquitatem fecimus.

Deus, qui delinquentes perire non pateris, donec convertantur et vivant: debitam quaesumus peccatis nostris suspende vindictam et praesta propitius, ne dissimulatio cumulet ultionem, sed tua pro peccatis nostris misericordia semper abundet, per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum. Amen.

Alia:

V. Non intres, Domine, in judicium cum servo tuo;

R. Quia non justificabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens.

Omnipotens Deus, qui nos in tantis periculis constitutos propter humanam fragilitatem scis non posse consistere: da nobis salutem mentis et corporis, ut ea, quae pro peccatis nostris nos affligunt, te adjuvante vincamus, per Dominum nostrum etc..

Alia:

V. Invoca me in die tribulationis;

R. Et eruam te, et tu honorificabis me.

Parce, Domine, parce peccatis nostris et, quamvis incessabiliter delinquentibus continua poena debeatur, praesta tamen, quaesumus, ut, quod ad perpetuum meremur exitium, transeat a nobis ad correctionis auxilium, per Dominum etc.

Another prayer.

V. We have sinned with our fathers;

R. We have mishandled and been ungodly.

O Lord God, Heavenly Father, who have no pleasure in the death of poor sinners, neither do you like to let them perish, but want them to be converted and to live: we sincerely pray that you will graciously avert the well-deserved punishment of our sin, and that you will graciously bestow your mercy on us to mend our ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Another prayer.

V. Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servant;

R For before you no living person will be justified.

(Almighty God, who knows that we cannot stand in the great dangers in which we stand because of human weakness, grant us salvation in soul and body, so that we may overcome the sufferings well deserved for our sins with the help of your grace, through our Lord 2c).

Another prayer.

V. Call upon me in the day of trouble; R. So will I save you, so shall you praise me.

Spare, O Lord, spare our sins, and though we who sin continually are also due a continual punishment, yet grant, we beseech thee, that what we deserve to our eternal ruin may pass us by for our correction, through the Lord etc.)