Above:  The New Jerusalem, from a fresco by Giusto de’ Monabuio, in the baptistry, Padua, Italy

Image in the Public Domain

German Text (1697) by Ludwig Andreas Gotter (1661-1735)

English Translation (1912) by Rudolph A. John (1859-1938)

Hymn Source = The Hymnal (1941), of the Evangelical and Reformed Church

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I will ever sing Thy praises,

Mighty God and gracious King;

Glad my heart its tribute raises,

And to Thee my psalms I sing;

Thou art King of all creation,

Every land and every nation;

“Thousand, thousand thanks to Thee,

Mighty God,” my song shall be!

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All the people shall proclaim Thee,

Sing Thy praise from shore to shore;

Every human heart shall name Thee,

God and King forevermore;

On Thy throne in heaven vaulted,

In Thy majesty exalted,

“Thousand, thousand thanks to Thee,

Mighty God,” my song shall be!

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When at last my feet have found Thee,

When at last I am Thine own;

When the ransomed hosts surround Thee,

On Thy great eternal throne;

When in yonder land of glory

Angels tell redemption’s story,

“Thousand, thousand thanks to Thee,

Mighty God,” my song shall be!

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Above:  Mountain and Sky, Utah

Image in the Public Domain

Original German Text (1680) by Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

Composite English Translation

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), The United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessor bodies

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Heaven and earth, and sea and air,

All their Maker’s praise declare;

Wake, my soul, awake and sing:

Now thy grateful praises bring.

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See the glorious orb of day

Breaking through the clouds his way;

Moon and stares with silvery light

Praise Him through the silent night.

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See how He hath ev’ry where

Made this earth so rich and fair;

Hill and vale and fruitful land,

All things living, show His hand.

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See how through the boundless sky

Fresh and free the birds do fly;

Fire and wind and storm are still

Servants of His royal will.

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See the water’s ceaseless flow,

Ever circling to and fro;

From the sources to the sea,

Still it rolls in praise to Thee.

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Lord, great wonders workest Thou!

To Thy sway all creatures bow.

Write Thou deeply in my heart

What I am, and what Thou art!

Above:  Clouds

Image in the Public Domain

Original German Text (1680) by Joachim Neander (1650-1680)

English Translation (1938) by William John Schaefer (1891-1976)

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), The Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America

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Wondrous King, all-glorious,

Sov’reign Lord victorious,

Oh, receive our praise with favor!

From Thee welled God’s kindness

Tho’ we in our blindness

Strayed from Thee, our blessed Savior.

Strengthen Thou,

Help us now;

Let our tongues be singing,

Thee our praises bringing.

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Heavens, spread the story

Of our Maker’s glory,

All the pomp of earth obscuring,

Sun, thy rays be sending,

Thy bright beams expending,

Light to all the earth assuring.

Moon and star,

Praise afar

Him who glorious made you;

The vast heavens aid you.

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O my soul, rejoicing,

Sing, thy praises voicing,

Sing, with hymns of faith adore Him!

All who here have being,

Shout, your voices freeing,

Bow down in the dust before Him.

He is God Sabaoth;

Praise alone the Savior,

Here and there forever.

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Hallelujahs render

To the Lord most tender,

Te who know and love the Savior.

Hallelujahs sing ye,

Ye redeemed, oh, bring ye

Hearts that yield Him glad behavior.

Blest are ye

Endlessly;

Sinless there forever,

Ye shall laud Him ever.

Above:  Pentecost Dove

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Original Text (1591) by Bartholomaus Ringwaldt (1532-1599)

Translation #1 (1693) by Soren Jonasson

Translation #2 (1909) by Oluf Hanson Smeby (1851-1929)

Hymn Source = The Concordia Hymnal:  A Hymnal for Church, School and Home (1932), U.S. Norwegian Lutherans

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1.  O Holy Spirit, grant us grace

That we our Lord and Saviour

In faith and fervent love embrace,

And truly serve Him ever,

So that when death is drawing nigh,

We to His open wounds may fly,

And find in them salvation.

2.  Help us that we Thy saving word

In faithful hearts may treasure;

Let e’er that bread of life afford

New grace in richest measure;

Yea, let us die to ev’ry sin,

For heav’n create us new within,

That fruits of faith may flourish.

3.  And when our earthly race is run,

Death’s bitter hour impending,

Then may Thy work, in us begun,

Continue till life’s ending;

Until we gladly may commend

Our souls into our Savior’s hand,

To rest in peace eternal.

Above:  Cemetery

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Sources = The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America, and William Gustave Polack, The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal (1942)

Original German Text (1686) by Amilie Juliane, Countess of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1637-1706)

Composite English Translation (1941), including contributions from Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

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1.  Who knows when death may overtake me!

Time passes on, my end draws near.

How swiftly can my breath forsake me!

How soon can life’s last hour appear!

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray

Thy peace may bless my dying day.

2.  The world that smiled when morn was breaking

May change for me ere the close of day

For while on earth my home I’m making

Death’s threat is never far away.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray

Thy peace my bless my dying day.

3.  My end to ponder me ever

And, ere the hour of death appears,

To cast my soul on Christ, my Savior,

Nor spare repentant sighs and tears.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray

Thy peace may bless my dying day.

4.  Help me now set my house in order

That always ready I may be

To say in meekness on death’s border:

Lord, as Thou wilt, deal Thou with me.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray

Thy peace may bless my dying day.

5.  Reveal the sweetness of Thy heaven,

Earth’s galling bitterness unfold;

May I, amid this turmoil riven,

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

Thy peace may bless my dying day.

6.  My many sins blot out forever

Since Jesus has my pardon won;

In mercy robed, I then shall never

Fear death, but trust in Thee alone.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

7.  His sorrows and His cross, I know,

Make death-beds soft and light the grave,

They comfort in the hour of woe,

They give me all I fain would have.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray

Thy peace may bless my dying day.

8.  Naught shall my soul from Jesus sever;

In faith I touch His wounded side

And hail Him as my Lord forever,

Nor life nor death shall us divide.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

9.  Once in the blest baptismal waters

I put on Christ and made Him mine;

Now numbered with God’s sons and daughters,

I share His peace and love divine.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

10.  His body and His blood I’ve taken

In His blest Supper, feast divine;

Now I shall never be forsaken,

For I am His, and He is mine.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

11.  Then may death come today, tomorrow,

I know in Christ I perish not;

He grants the peace that stills all sorrow,

Gives me a robe without a spot.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

12.  And thus I live in God contented

And die without a thought of fear;

My soul has to God’s plans consented,

For through His Son my faith is clear.

Thy blest eternity behold.

My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray.

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Above:  Cemetery Plan 1861

Image in the Public Domain

Three stanzas in the 1863 translation by Simeon Comenius Chitty (1831-1902)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

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1.  The solemn moment is impending,

When my career shall end in death,

My course unto the grave is ending,

And soon may come my latest breath;

My God and Saviour, hear my prayer,

Me for my dying hour prepare.

2.  So teach me, Lord, my days to number

That I may wisdom’s path pursue;

That nothing may my soul encumber,

Oh, let me keep the Cross in view;

My God and Saviour, hear my prayer,

Me for my dying hour prepare.

3.  To-day let death come, or to-morrow,

I know that I in Jesus live;

Thee will I serve through joy and sorrow,

The robe of righteousness I have;

My God and Saviour, hear my prayer,

Me for my dying hour prepare.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Above:  Christ the Merciful

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America

Original German Text (1699) by Amilie Juliane, Countess of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1637-1706)

English Translation (1882) by August Crull (1845-1923)

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1.  The Lord hath helped me hitherto

By His surpassing favor;

His mercies ev’ry morn were new,

His kindness did not water.

God hitherto hath been my Guide,

Hath pleasures hitherto supplied,

And hitherto hath helped me.

2.  I praise and thank Thee, Lord, my God,

For Thine abundant blessing

Where here-to-fore Thou hast bestowed

And I am still possessing.

Inscribe this on my memory:

The Lord hath done great things for me

And graciously hath helped me.

3.  Help me henceforth, O God of grace,

Help me on each occasion,

Help me in each and every place,

Help me thro’ Jesus’ Passion:

Help me in life and death, O God,

Help me thro’ Jesus’ dying blood’

Help me as Thou hast helped me!

Above:  St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, Marietta, Georgia, May 17, 2015

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Original Words (published in 1697) by Martin Wandersleben (1608-1668)

English Translation (1940) by William Gustave Polack (1890-1950)

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America

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1.  As we begin another week,

In Jesus’ name this boon we seek:

God, grant that thro’ these seven days

No evil may befall our ways.

2.  Thy gentle blessings, Lord, outpour

On all our labor evermore;

Our hearts with Thy good Spirit fill

That we may gladly do Thy will.

3.  In every season, every place

May we regard Thy Word of grace

Until, when life’s brief day is past

We reach eternal joy at last.

4.  And keep with angels in Thy rest

The endless Sabbaths of the blest.

This grant to us through Christ, Thy Son,

Who reigns with Thee upon Thy throne.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Above:  Christ the Merciful

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917), United Lutheran Church in America (1918-1962) and its immediate predecessors

Original German Text by Ludwig Andreas Gotter (1661-1735)

English Translation (1914, 1917) by John Caspar Mattes (1876-1948)

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1.  Friend of the weary, O refresh us,

And turn to us Thy loving face,

With Thy sweet peace and pardon bless us,

That sin may be destroyed by grace;

O come, Thy sweet compassion showing,

On our poor souls Thy grace bestowing.

2.  From Thee our only comfort cometh,

Our strength and hope, O Lord of all;

To Thee all power still belongeth

To save and help us in each fall;

Thy grace and pardon will deliver,

And set us free from shame forever.

3.  And Thou did’st help the sick and weary,

Who once were gathered at Thy side,

‘Mid earthly deserts, waste and dreary,

In Thy sure aid we still confide;

When evils come, our souls assailing,

Send us Thy Word of grace unfailing.

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 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.