Suggested tune: JESAIA DEM PROPHETEN
Jesaiä, dem Propheten, das geschah. M. Luther. [The Sanctus.] This paraphrase of Isaiah vi. 1-4, was first published in Luther's Deudsche Messe und ordnung Gottis Diensts, Wittenberg, 1526, repeated in the Erfurt Gesang-Buch., 1527, the Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1529 and 1531, &c, in 16 lines, entitled "The German Sanctus." Thence in Wackernagel , iii. p. 18. Also in Schircks's edition of Luther's Geistliche Lieder, 1854, p. 58, the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 191, &c.
According to the ritual directions of the Deudsche Messe, in the Holy Communion the Bread was first consecrated and received by the communicants, and then this Sanctus, or else Luther's "Gott sei gelobet," or "Jesus Christus unser Heiland" (from Huss) was sung. The Wine was then consecrated and received (see Blätter für Hymnologie, 1883, p. 89).
Translation in common use:—
Unto the seer Isaiah it was given. By A. T. Russell, for his Psalms & Hymns, 1851, No. 13.
Other translations are, (1) "We read that to Isaiah it befel," by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 138. (2) "To Isaiah the ancient seer," by J. Anderson, 1846, p. 82. In his ed., 1847, p. 93, it begins, "Isaiah once, that prophet old." (3) "The rapt Isaiah saw the glorious One," by Dr. J. Hunt, 1853, p. 165. (4) "Isaiah, filled with deep prophetic awe," by Dr. W. M. Reynolds, in the Evangelical Review, Gettysburg, Oct. 1853. (5) "These things the Seer Isaiah did befall," by R. Massie, 1854, p. 85, repeated in Dr. Bacon, 1884, p. 50. (6) "To Isaiah, the prophet, this was given," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in the Sunday Magazine , 1867, p. 841. In his Exotics, 1876, p. 111, it begins, "Unto the seer Isaiah it was given." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody.
i. Hymn Books.
1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >
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