Part 2 (1/2)

False masters now abound, who songs indite; Beware of them, and learn to judge them right: Where G.o.d builds up his Church and Word, hard by Satan is found with murder and a lie.

_Translation by_ R. Ma.s.sIE

I. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein.

Dear Christians, one and all rejoice.

_A Song of Thanksgiving for the great Benefits which G.o.d in Christ has mainifested to us._

FIRST MELODY, _Wittenberg,_ 1524. _Harmony by_ H. SCHEIN, 1627. SECOND MELODY, _Wittenberg,_ 1535. _Harmony by_ M. PRAETORIUS, 1610.

1. Dear Christians, one and all rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders G.o.d hath done, How his right arm the victory won; Right dearly it hath cost him.

2. Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay, Death brooded darkly o'er me; Sin was my torment night and day, Therein my mother bore me.

Deeper and deeper still I fell, Life was become a living h.e.l.l, So firmly sin possessed me.

3. My good works could avail me naught, For they with sin were stained; Free-will against G.o.d's judgment fought, And dead to good remained.

Grief drove me to despair, and I Had nothing left me but to die, To h.e.l.l I fast was sinking.

4. G.o.d saw, in his eternal grace, My sorrow out of measure; He thought upon his tenderness- To save was his good pleasure.

He turn'd to me a Father's heart- Not small the cost - to heal my smart He have his best and dearest.

5. He spake to his beloved Son: 'Tis time to take compa.s.sion; Then go, bright jewel of my 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 on this low earth did stay That he might be my brother.

His mighty power he hidden bore, A servant's form like mine he wore, To bind the devil captive.

7. To me he spake: cling fast to me, Thou'lt win a triumph worthy; I wholly give myself for thee; I strive and wrestle for thee; For I am thine, thou mine also; And where I am thou art. The foe Shall never more divide us.

8. For he shall shed my precious blood, Me of my life bereaving; All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing.

My life from death the day shall win, My righteousness shall bear thy sin, So art thou blest forever.

9. Now to my Father I depart, From earth to heaven ascending; Thence heavenly wisdom to impart, The Holy Spirit sending.

He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow me, And to the truth conduct thee.

10. What I have done and taught, do thou To do and teach endeavor; So shall my kingdom flourish now, And G.o.d be praised forever.

Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy.

This counsel I bequeath thee.

1. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, Und la.s.st uns froehlich springen, Da.s.s wir getrost und all in ein Mit l.u.s.t und Liebe singen: Was Gott an uns gewendet hat, Und seine suesse Wunderthat, Gar theur hat er's erworben.

2. Dem Teufel ich gefangen lag, Im Tod war ich verloren, Mein' Suend' mich quaelet Nacht und Tag, Darin war ich geboren, Ich fiel auch immer tiefer d'rein, Es war kein gut's am Leben mein, Die Suend' hat mich besessen.

3. Mein' gute Werk' die galten nicht, Es war mit ihm verdorben; Der frei Will' ha.s.set Gottes G'richt, Er war zum Gut'n ers...o...b..n; Die Angst mich zu verzweifeln trieb, Da.s.s nichts denn Sterben bei mir blieb, Zur Hoelle musst ich sinken.

4. Da jammert's Gott in Ewigkeit Mein Elend ueber Ma.s.sen, Er dacht' an sein' Barmherzigkeit, Er wollt' mir helfen la.s.sen; Er wandt' zu mir das Vaterherz, Es war bei ihm fuerwahr kein Scherz, Er liess sein Bestes kosten.

5. Er sprach zu seinem lieben Sohn: Die Zeit ist hier zu 'rbarmen, Fahr' hin mein's Herzens werthe Kron'