"Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing"

One of the hymns in the Maundy Thursday service yester-day was "Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing," and I noticed something about the rhyme scheme.  Each verse has the rhyme scheme ABABCCDD, except for the end of the second verse, where the lines of the last couplet don't perfectly rhyme.  The verse ends:

Or should Satan press me hard,
Let me then be on my guard,
Saying, "Christ for me was wounded,"
That the tempter flee confounded.

While wounded and confounded look like they should rhyme, they don't, and this is significant with regard to the text.  The imperfect rhyme between wounded and confounded illustrates the tempter's confusion or (as in the archaic sense of confound) his ruin.

LSB #402 "The Only Son from Heaven"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Galatians 4:4-5, 2 Timothy 1:10, 1 John 4:9, Luke 1:30-35

Galatians 4:4-5:  "4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

2 Timothy 1:10:  "and which [God's "purpose and grace"] now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

1 John 4:9:  "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."

Luke 1:30-35:  "30 And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'

"34 And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?'

"35 And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God.'"

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The text is public domain:

The only Son from heaven,
Foretold by ancient seers,
By God the Father given,
In human form appears.
No sphere His light confining,
No star so brightly shining
As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,
O bright and holy morn!
He comes, the king anointed,
The Christ, the virgin-born,
Grim death to vanquish for us,
To open heav'n before us
And bring us life again.

O Lord, our hearts awaken
To know and love You more,
In faith to stand unshaken,
In spirit to adore,
That we, through this world moving,
Each glimpse of heaven proving,
May reap its fullness there.

O Father, here before You
With God the Holy Ghost
And Jesus, we adore You,
O pride of angel host:
Before You mortals lowly
Cry, "Holy, holy, holy,
O blessed Trinity!"

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The first verse comes from Galatians 4:4-5, although the name "Morning Star" comes from Revelation 22:16.  The second verse seems to take something from the Galatians text too ("O time of God appointed"), but it also uses Luke 1:30-35 (the description of "virgin-born"), 2 Timothy 1:10 ("Grim death to vanquish for us"), and 1 John 4:9 ("To open heav'n before us / And bring us life again").

There don't seem to be any Biblical references in the second half of the hymn, although "Before You mortals lowly / Cry 'Holy, holy, holy...'" bears some resemblance to Isaiah 6:3 ("'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts...'").

"Liebster Jesu" (TLH #45)

I've recorded a TLH version of this tune before, but since that was back in October, I figured I could do it again.

"Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"

While watching a Worship for Shut-Ins program many months ago, I noticed a small thing about "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow" (sung to the tune "Old Hundredth").  The second line is "Praise Him, all creatures here below," and the "here below" part is sung to a descending melody:

It's only a few notes, but it gives a musical sense of the "below."

LSB #401 "From God the Father, Virgin-Born"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8, Luke 4:18, Acts 26:17-18

John 1:14:  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Philippians 2:6-8:  "6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Luke 4:18:  "'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed'"

Acts 26:17-18:  "17 'delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles - to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'"

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The text is public domain:

From God the Father, virgin-born
To us the only Son came down;
By death the font to consecrate,
The faithful to regenerate.

Beginning from His home on high,
In human flesh He came to die;
Creation by His death restored,
And shed new joys of life abroad.

Glide on, O glorious Sun, and bring
The gift of healing on Your wing;
To ev'ry dull and clouded sense
The clearness of Your light dispense.

Abide with us, O Lord, we pray;
The gloom of darkness chase away;
Your work of healing, Lord, begin,
And take away the stain of sin.

Lord, once You came to earth's domain
And, we believe, shall come again;
Be with us on the battlefield,
From e'vry harm Your people shield.

To You, O Lord, all glory be
For this Your blest epiphany;
To God, whom all His hosts adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore.

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Three of the Biblical texts cited are referenced in the first two verses: John 1:14 in "From God the Father" and "In human flesh He came," Philippians 2:6-8 in "by death" and "He came to die," and Luke 4:18 in "The faithful to regenerate," "Creation by His death restored," and "shed news joys of life abroad."

The third and fourth verses take the imagery of darkness and light from Acts 26:17-18, but the phrase "The gift of healing on Your wing" comes from Malachi 4:2:  "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.  You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall."

"Guds Menighed, syng" (TLH #44)

This is an-other tune I wasn't familiar with.  I think my recording turned out pretty well, although the Amen cadence at the end is a bit abrupt.  There's a half rest at the beginning of the verse, so there's a break between the end of the first verse and the beginning of the second, but there's no break between the end of the second verse and that cadence.

"Sing with All the Saints in Glory"

While watching Worship for Shut-Ins a few months ago (when it was still called Worship for Shut-Ins), I noticed a couple things about the hymn "Sing with All the Saints in Glory," sung to the tune "Mississippi."

The fourth line of the third verse is "Child of God, lift up your head."  This is sung to an ascending musical phrase (diatonically ascending, even), so there's a musical representation of that "lift[ing]":

The third line of the first verse is "Death and sorrow, earth's dark story," which is sung to a descending musical phrase:

While not as straightforward as the ascent for "lift," I'd argue that this descent musically illustrates the "sorrow."

LSB #400 "Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Matthew 2:1-11, Psalm 51:17

Matthew 2:1-11:  "1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'  3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  5 They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."'

"7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.'  9 After listening to the king, they went on their way.  And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.  Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."

Psalm 51:17:  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

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The text is public domain:

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,
Fragrance of Edom and off'rings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

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The Matthew 2 text is the primary source for the hymn, although the hymn elaborates on this quite a bit.  The wise men's following the star to Jesus and offering gifts are mentioned in each verse.  The fourth verse, however, seems to incorporate Psalm 51 too.  The specific qualities are different (the Psalm has "a broken spirit" and "a broken and contrite heart" where the hymn has "the heart's adoration" and "the prayers of the poor"), but these are all intangible characteristics or actions rather than the physical items suggested as gifts in verse three of the hymn.  That eschewing of the world's ephemera for more significant things seems to be how the hymn includes Psalm 51:17.

It's not cited, but Jesus' title as "the bright morning star" comes from Revelation 22:16: "'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches.  I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.'"  The hymn simply changes this into a superlative.

"Ich singe dir" (TLH #43)

I had a feeling I'd recorded this one before, but I didn't remember when.  It was the last day of 2017.  I think the two arrangements (TLH #29 and #43) are the same.

"How Wide the Love of Christ"

While transcribing hymns months ago, I came across a cross inscription that I'd previously noted in my hymnal.  It's in the first phrase of the tune "Swabia":

The hymn sung to "Swabia" is "How Wide the Love of Christ."  Each of the first four verses begins with a line with this same structure:  "How wide the love of Christ," "How long the love of Christ," "How high the love of Christ," and "How deep the love of Christ."  The cross inscription in the tune hints at Christ's crucifixion, which is an-other sign of His love.  The fourth verse later mentions it specifically: "Descending to a cross! / He bears within His wounded hands / All human pain and loss."

LSB #399 "The Star Proclaims the King Is Here"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 1:9, John 18:36-37, John 1:29

Matthew 2:1-12:  "1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'  3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  5 They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."'

"7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.'  9 After listening to the king, they went on their way.  And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.  Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way."

Ephesians 1:9:  "making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ"

John 18:36-37:  "36 Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world.  If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.  But my kingdom is not from the world.'  37 Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?  Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.'"

John 1:29:  "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

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The text is public domain:

The star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
For He who offers heav'nly birth
Seeks not the kingdoms of this earth.

The eastern sages saw from far
And followed on His guiding star;
And, led by light, to light they trod
And by their gifts confessed their God.

Within the Jordan's sacred flood
The heav'nly Lamb in meekness stood
That He, of whom no sin was known,
Might cleanse His people from their own.

And oh, what miracle divine,
When water reddened into wine!
He spoke the word, and forth it flowed
In streams that nature ne'er bestowed.

For this His glad epiphany
All glory, Jesus, be to Thee,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore.

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The first four verses are neatly divided by Biblical sources.  The first two verses come from the Matthew 2 text, with the first also incorporating John 18:36-37 ("Seeks not the kingdoms of this earth"); the third from John 1:29 (and also Jesus' baptism [related more fully in Matthew 3:13-17 and Mark 1:9-11]); and the fourth from John 2:1-11 (Jesus' turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana).

The only way in which I can see the Ephesians text within the hymn is if these events (the adoration of the magi, Jesus' baptism, and the changing of water into wine) are examples of ways in which Christ is "set forth."  This seems to make sense with the first line of the last verse: "For this His glad epiphany."

"Wunderbarer König" (TLH #41)

I think this is the first hymn tune from TLH that I've recorded a second time.  If I'd recorded it more recently, I would have skipt it this time, but I first recorded this last July.  The next hymn in TLH also uses "Wunderbarer König," so I'll be skipping that next week.

The arrangement here is ever so slightly different from the previous one (TLH #4).  In two spots in the bass part, a G note is in a higher octave.  Otherwise, it's the same.

"Jesus, I Will Ponder Now"

"Jesus, I Will Ponder Now" was one of the hymns in the Ash Wednesday service a few weeks ago.  I noticed two little things about it.

The tune to which the hymn is sung is "Jesu Kreuz, Leiden und Pein."  The sixth phrase of which is:

There's a cross inscription that corresponds to the text in the second and fifth verses: "Spear and nails did wound You" and "By Your holy passion" respectively.  For "Spear and nails did wound You," there's even an accidental for "wound," with the foreign tonality representing an impression of these injuries.

The other thing I noticed concerns the third musical phrase:

In the sixth verse, the text here is "Learning humbleness from You."  The descent in the melody almost represents a bow of humility.