Above:  Christ Cleansing a Leper, by Jean-Marie Melchior Doze

Image in the Public Domain

Text (1863) by Greville Phillimore (1821-1884)

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1913), the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church (1917-1960) and its immediate predecessors

Congregations of the Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church/The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (1918-present) also used The Lutheran Hymnary for many years.

The Lutheran Hymnary specifies this as a hymn for the Third Sunday after Epiphany.

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O Lord of health and life, what tongue can tell,

How at Thy word were loosed the bands of hell;

How Thy pure touch removed the leprous stain,

And the polluted flesh grew clean again?

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O wash our hearts, restore the contrite soul,

Stretch forth Thy healing hand, and make us whole;

O bend our stubborn knees to kneel to Thee,

Speak but the word and we once more are free.

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Yea, Lord, we claim the promise of Thy love,

Thy love, which can all guilt, all pain remove;

Nigh to our souls Thy great salvation bring,

Then sickness hath no pang, and death no sting.

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We hail this pledge in all Thy deeds of grace,

As once disease and sorrow fled Thy face,

So when that face again unveiled we see,

Sickness, and tears, and death no more shall be.

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Then grant us strength to pray, “Thy kingdom come,”

When we shall know Thee in Thy Father’s home,

And at Thy great Epiphany adore

The co-eternal Godhead evermore.

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Above:  Albert Lea, Minnesota, April 28, 1908

Photographer and Copyright Claimant = Frederick J. Bandholtz, Des Moines, Iowa

H116197–U.S. Copyright Office

Image Source = Library of Congress

Oluf Hanson Smeby (1851-1929) was a Norwegian Lutheran minister and hymn translator in the United States.  He served as the chairman of the committee for The Lutheran Hymnary (1913).

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O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2015/07/30/o-holy-spirit-grant-us-grace/

Abide with us, the Day is Waning:

https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/abide-with-us-the-day-is-waning/

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Above:  Icon of the Holy Trinity, by Andrei Rublev

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Words (1778) by Birgitte Katerine Boye (1742-1824)

English Translation (1908) by George Alfred Taylor Rygh (1860-1942)

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O Light of God’s most wondrous love,

Who dost our darkness brighten,

Shed on Thy Church from heaven above,

Our eyes of faith enlighten!

As in Thy light we gather here,

Show us that Christ’s own promise clear

is Yea and Amen forever.

O risen and ascended Lord,

We wait fulfillment of Thy word:

O bless us with Thy favor!

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The altered translation from The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), The Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America:

Holy Spirit, God of love,

Who our night dost brighten,

Shed on us from heaven above,

Now our faith enlighten.

In Thy light we gather here;

Show us that Christ’s promise clear

Is Amen forever.

Jesus, our ascended Lord,

O fulfill Thy gracious Word:

Bless us with Thy favor!

Above:  Stream in Spring

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original German Words (1658) by Anna Sophia of Hesse-Darmstadt (1638-1683)

Norwegian Translation (1861) by Magnus Brostrup Landstad (1802-1880)

English Translation (1909) by George Alfred Taylor Rygh (1860-1942)

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1.  Speak, O Lord, Thy servant heareth,

To Thy word I now give heed;

Life and spirit Thy word beareth,

All Thy word is truth indeed;

Death’s dread power in me is rife;

Jesus, may Thy word of life

Fill my soul with love’s strong fervor,

That I cling to Thee forever.

2.  O what blessing to be near Thee,

And to hearken to Thy voice;

May I ever love and fear Thee,

That Thy word may be my choice

Oft were hardened sinners, Lord,

Struck with terror at Thy word;

But to him for sin who grieveth

Comfort sweet and hope it giveth.

3.  Lord, Thy words are waters living,

Where I quench my thirsty need;

Lord, Thy words are bread life-giving;

On Thy words my soul doth feed;

Lord, Thy words shall be my light

Through death’s vale and dreary night;

Yea, they are my sword prevailing,

And my cup of joy unfailing.

4.  Precious Jesus, I beseech Thee:

May Thy words take root in me;

May this gift from heaven enrich me,

So that I bear fruit for Thee;

Take them never from my heart

Till I see Thee as Thou art,

When in heavenly bliss and glory

I shall see Thee and adore Thee.

5.  All the world is full of sorrow;

Dearest Jesus, hear Thou me:

Come what may today, tomorrow,

May I firmly stand with Thee

On Thy word’s unfaltering ground;

And when death’s dread call shall sound,

I shall sing in its dark mazes

To Thy name my grateful praises.

Above:  Icon of Christ the Merciful

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Text (1823) by Michael Frederik Liebenberg (1767-1828)

English Translation (1910) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Jesus, Master! at Thy word

I will work whate’er betide me,

And I know Thou wilt, O Lord,

By Thy word and Spirit guide me;

At Thy word my faith shall see

All things work for good to me.

2.  Though my toil may seem unblest,

And my lot appointed dreary,

When at eve I go to rest,

From my labor faint and weary;

At Thy word I will each morn

To my work with joy return.

3.  Though I be of joys bereft,

And by sorrows overtaken,

Yet I know a solace left:

I am not by Thee forsaken;

Jesus, Thou canst aid afford.

Fraught with comfort is Thy word.

4.  At Thy word in faith I press

Onward through this vale of sadness;

By Thy grace I shall possess

Victor-palms in heavenly gladness;

To my latest hour, O Lord,

I will trust Thee at Thy word.

Above:  Icon of Christ in Majesty

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1913/1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Texts (1676 and 1700) by Jodocus van Lodenstein (1620-1677) and Bartholomaus Crasselius (1667-1724), respectively

English Translation (1907) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Holy Jesus! Fountain streaming

Of holiness and grace redeeming,

As clear as crystal, pure and free;

Cherubim in robes of whiteness

And seraphim in all their brightness

Are darkness when compared with Thee;

Be Thou my pattern bright,

My glory and delight,

Holy Savior!

O teach Thou me, that I may be

All pure and holy, like to Thee.

2.  Gentle Jesus! self-denying,

And with Thy Father’s will complying,

Yea, even unto death resigned;

Let me e’er, Thy way pursuing,

Be guided by Thy gentle mind;

Like Thee may I be mild

And gentle as a child,

Gentle Savior!

O teach Thou me, that I may be

Meek and obedient, like to Thee.

3.  Loving Jesus! Thou my treasure,

Whose love to man no thought can measure,

Conform me to Thine image bright;

Send Thy Spirit, grace bestowing,

That I, in every virtue growing,

May ripen for the realms of light;

O draw me after Thee,

Forever Thine to be,

Loving Savior!

Thou givest rest to souls distressed,

And all who learn of Thee are blest.

Above:  De Profundis

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Text (1557) by Clement Marot (1497-1544)

English Translation (1907) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  O Lord, hear Thou my calling,

Out of the deep I cry;

O make my prayer prevailing;

With aid to me draw nigh:

O mark my lamentation,

My restless sighing hear,

And to my supplication

Incline Thy gracious ear.

2.  If Thou shouldst mark abuses

And strict account demand,

O Lord, with what excuses

Could we before Thee stand?

But if with true contrition

Our sins we mourn and blame,

Thou savest from perdition

That we may fear Thy name.

3.  In God my hope abideth,

My trust is in the Lord,

My soul in Him confideth

And builds upon His word:

My soul for Him is yearning,

More longing for His grace

Than daylight’s sweet returning

The watchman longs to trace.

4.  Be God thy strong foundation,

Thou chosen Israel;

Thy God with whom salvation

And mercy ever dwell;

His river ever streameth,

With pardon full and free,

He Israel redeemeth

From all iniquity.

Above:  St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Snellville, Georgia, June 29, 2015

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America/The Evangelical Lutheran Church

Original Danish Words (1837) by Nikolai Grundtvig (1783-1872)

English Translation (1909) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Abide among us, we implore Thee,

Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Spirit breathe!

And let the babes we bring before Thee

Now be baptized into Thy death.

2.  Lord, after Thee we Christians call them,

O let them in Thy name arise!

And keep them Thine whate’er befall them,

That they may reach Thy paradise.

3.  If Thou their earthly race shouldst lengthen,

Thy faithful servants let them prove;

If few their days, their weakness strengthen,

That they may share Thy dying love.

4.  O write Thy blessed name, dear Savior,

Upon their hearts, we Thee implore;

And on Thy palms engrave this favor,

That they are Thine for evermore.

Above:  St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, February 16, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America

Original Norwegian Words (1861) by Magnus Brostrup Landstad (1802-1880)

English Translation (1910) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  I come to Thee, O blessed Lord,

Invited by Thy gracious word

To this Thy feast, to sup with Thee,

Grant that a worthy guest I be.

2.  I come to Thee with sin and grief,

For Thou alone canst give relief,

Thy death for me, dear Lord, I plead:

O Jesus, help me in my need!

3.  Shouldst Thou a strict account demand,

Who could, O Lord, before Thee stand?

Purge all my secret sins away:

Be Thou, O Christ, the sinner’s stay!

4.  O Jesus, Lamb of God, alone,

Who didst for all our sins atone,

Though I have sinned and gone astray,

Turn not, O Lord, Thy guest away!

5.  O Jesus, Lamb of God alone,

Who didst for our sins atone,

Be merciful, I Thee implore,

Have mercy, Lord, for evermore!

Above:  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Newnan, Georgia, January 26, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America

Original Norwegian Text (1861) by Magnus Brostrup Landstad (1802-1880)

English Translation (1909) by Carl Doving (1867-1937)

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1.  Before Thee, God, who knowest all

With grief and shame I prostrate fall;

I see my sins against Thee, Lord,

The sins of thought, of deed, and word,

They press me sore, I cry to Thee:

O God, be merciful to me!

2.  O Lord, my God, to Thee I pray:

O cast me not in wrath away,

Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart,

But let Him draw to Thee my heart,

That truly penitent I be:

O God, be merciful to me!

3.  O Jesus, let Thy precious blood

Be to my soul a cleansing flood;

Turn not, O Lord, Thy guest away,

But grant that justified I may

Go to my house with peace from Thee:

O God, be merciful to me!