Hymn Book ‎#68

68. Dear Christian people, now rejoice

1 Dear Christian people, now rejoice,
And banish all your sadness,
While with united heart and voice
We sing with love and gladness,
And tell how God beheld our need,
And wrought that sweet and wondrous deed
That hath so dearly cost Him.

2 Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay,
Death brooded darkly o'er me,
My sins oppressed me night and day,
Therein my mother bore me,
And always deeper still I fell,
In all my life was nothing well,
So sore had sin possessed me.

3 My good works could avail me naught,
For they with sin were stained,
My will against God's judgments fought,
And dead to good remained:
My anguish drove me to despair,
Whilst death frowned on me everywhere,
And hell yawned just before me.

4 But God from all eternity
Looked on me in compassion;
His tender mercy flowed tow'rd me,
He willed my souls salvation;
His father's heart yearned over me:
What greater love than this could be,
Which gave His richest treasure?

5 He spake to His beloved Son:
"'Tis time to have compassion;
Go Thou, my Son, my heart's bright Crown,
And bring to man salvation:
From sin and sorrow set him free,
Slay bitter death for him, that he
May live with Thee forever."

6 The Son delighted to obey,
And, born of virgin mother,
Awhile in this low world did stay,
And thus became my brother;
His mighty power He hidden bore,
A servant's form like mine He wore,
My foe for me to vanquish.

7 To me He spake: "Hold fast by me,
I am thy Rock and Castle,
Myself I wholly give for thee,
For thee I strive and wrestle:
For I am thine, and thou art mine,
Henceforth my place is also thine,
The foe shall never part us.

8 "I know that he will shed my blood,
And of my life bereave me,
But I will bear it for thy good;
Be steadfast and believe me:
My life from death the victory wins,
My innocence doth bear thy sins,
And thus thou art delivered.

9 "And when to heaven I ascend,
My glory to inherit,
I still will be thy Lord, and send
To thee my Holy Spirit,
To comfort thee in every woe,
Instruct thee how me right to know,
And into truth to guide thee.

10 "As I have done and taught, so thou
To do and teach endeavor;
Then shall my kingdom flourish now,
And God be praised forever;
And this last counsel give I thee:
From men's additions keep thou free
The treasure I have left thee."

Text Information

• First Line: Dear Christian people, now rejoice
• Author: Luther
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1884
• Topic: Faith and Justification

Tune Information

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