Christian Worship (1993) ‎#377

377. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

1 Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God has done,
How his right arm the vict'ry won.
How dearly it has cost him!

2 Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay;
Death brooded darkly o'er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
In sin my mother bore me.
Yet deep and deeper still I fell;
Life had become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.

3 My own good works availed me naught,
No merit they attaining;
My will against God's judgment fought,
No hope for me remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left naught but death to be my share
And hell to be my sentence.

4 But God beheld my wretched state
Before the world's foundation,
And, mindful of his mercies great,
He planned my soul's salvation.
A Father's heart he turned to me,
Sought my redemption fervently;
He gave his dearest treasure.

5 He spoke to his beloved Son:
"'Tis time to have compassion.
Then go, bright Jewel of my crown,
And bring mankind salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
May live with you forever."

6 The Son obeyed his Father's will,
Was born of virgin mother,
And, God's good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my brother.
No garb of pomp or pow'r he wore;
A servant's form like mine he bore
To lead the devil captive.

7 To me he spoke, "Hold fast to me--
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be;
For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, your friend divine,
And evermore you shall be mine;
The foe shall not divide us.

8 "The foe shall shed my precious blood,
Me of my life bereaving.
All this I suffer for your good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life shall from death the vict'ry win;
My innocence shall bear your sin,
And you are blest forever.

9 "Now to my Father I depart,
The Holy Spirit sending
And, heav'nly wisdom to impart,
My help to you extending.
He will a source of comfort be,
Teach you to know and follow me,
And in all truth will guide you.

10 "What I on earth have lived and taught
Be all your life and teaching;
So shall my kingdom's work be wrought
And honored in your preaching.
Take care that no one's man-made laws
Should e'er destroy the gospel's cause.
This final word I leave you."

Text Information

• First Line: Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice
• Title: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
• Author: Martin Luther, 1483-1546
• Translator: Richard Massie, 1800-87 (alt.)
• Meter: 87 87 887
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Justification

Tune Information

• Name: NUN FREUT EUCH, LIEBEN CHRISTEN
• Meter: 87 87 887
• Key: F Major
• Source: Etlich Cristlich lider, Wittenberg, 1524
• Notes: Alternate setting: 72