American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#42

42. Our Savior To The Jordan Came

1 Our Savior to the Jordan came,
The Father's will obeying,
And there by John was He baptized,
His work no more delaying.
He there vouchsafed a cleansing breath
To free from sin's possession,
To rescue us from bitter death
And wash away transgression,
New life in us creating.

2 So hear ye all and ponder well
What God Himself installeth,
What He would have us all believe.
What He a washing calleth.
That water at the font be used,
Is surely His good pleasure,
But with it go His holy Word
and Spirit without measure;
He is the true Baptizer.

3 To show us this with ample proof,
Both words and signs are given.
At Jordan's brink was plainly heard
The Father's voice from heaven:
This is my well beloved Son,
In whom my soul delighteth;
O hear ye Him when ev'ryone
He to Himself inviteth;
Obey His will and teaching.

4 The Son of God is also here,
In tender manhood bending,
And we behold the Spirit, too,
In dove-like form descending.
Thus are we strengthened in our faith,
Which nevermore should waver.
That Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Are present at the laver,
To make our hearts their dwelling.

5 He who rejects this wondrous grace,
The Scripture disbelieving,
Shall have his sins abide with him,
In hell his place receiving.
His outward deeds avail him naught,
His holiness must vanish;
His inborn sin all works annuls,
God such a one must banish:
Himself he cannot rescue.

6 To His disciples Jesus saith:
Go, teach ye every nation:
Man, lost in sin, must needs repent,
To flee from condemnation.
Baptized and having faith in Me,
He shall be saved forever;
A new-born man shall he be called,
Whom naught from Me can sever;
My Kingdom He inherits.

7 Blind sense but water sees and asks:
Pray, how can water save us?
But faith the blood of Christ beholds
That here in truth doth lave us.
It sees this fountain colored red
That here for us is flowing.
To purge us from our inborn sin
And, every grace bestowing,
From all misdeeds to free us.

Text Information

• First Line: Our Savior to the Jordan came
• Title: Our Savior To The Jordan Came
• Translator: H. Brueckner
• Author: Martin Luther (1541)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Means of Grace: The Sarraments-Holy Baptism

Tune Information

• Name: BAPTIZEIN
• Adapter: Martin Luther
• Adapter: Johann Walther (1524)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7 7
• Key: a minor
• Source: Of Secular Origin; German chorale: Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam