Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish - #268 - Heermann - Winkworth Translation

Tune - Zion klagt - linked here.

"Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. Zion mourns in fear and anguish,
Zion, city of our God.
"Ah," she says, "how sore I languish,
Bowed beneath the chastening rod!
For my God forsook me quite
And forgot my sorry plight
Mid these troubles now distressing,
Countless woes my soul oppressing.

2. "Once," she mourns, "He promised plainly
That His help should e'er be near;
Yet I now must seek Him vainly
In my days of woe and fear.
Will His anger never cease?
Will He not renew His peace?
Will He not show forth compassion
And again forgive transgression?"

3. "Zion, surely I do love thee,"
Thus to her the Savior saith,
"Though with many woes I prove thee
And thy soul is sad to death.
For My troth is pledged to thee;
Zion, thou art dear to Me.
Deep within My heart I've set thee,
That I never can forget thee.

4. "Let not Satan make thee craven;
He can threaten, but not harm.
On My hands thy name is graven,
And thy shield is My strong arm.
How, then, could it ever be
I should not remember thee,
Fail to build thy wall, My city,
And look down on thee with pity?

5. "Ever shall Mine eyes behold thee;
On My bosom thou art laid.
Ever shall My love enfold thee;
Never shalt thou lack Mine aid.
Neither Satan, war, nor stress
Then shall mar thy happiness:
With this blessed consolation
Be thou firm in tribulation."

Hymn #268
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Isaiah 49: 14-17
Author: Johann Heermann, 1636, ab.
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1869, alt.
Titled: "Zion klagt mit Angst und Schmerzen"
Composer: J. Hermann Schein, 1623
Tune: "Zion klagt"

Thine Honor Save, O Christ, Our Lord - #265 - Heermann, Matthias Loy Translation

"Thine Honor Save, O Christ, Our Lord"
by Johann Heermann
Translated by Matthias Loy, 1828-1915

1. Thine honor save, O Christ, our Lord!
Hear Zion's cries and help afford;
Destroy the wiles of mighty foes
Who now Thy Word and truth oppose.

2. Their craft and pomp indeed are great,
And of their power thy boast and prate;
Our hope they scornfully deride
And deem us nothing in their pride.

3. Forgive, O Lord, our sins forgive;
Grant us Thy grace and let us live.
Convince Thy foes throughout the land
That godless counsels shall not stand.

4. That Thou art with us, Lord, proclaim
And put our enemies to shame;
Confound them in their haughtiness
And help Thine own in their distress.

5. Preserve Thy little flock in peace,
Nor let Thy boundless mercy cease;
To all the world let it appear
That Thy true Church indeed is here.

Hymn #265
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 118: 25
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Titled: "Rett, o Herr Jesu, rett dein' Ehr'"
Translated by: Matthias Loy, 1880, alt.
Tune: "Erhalt uns, Herr"
1st Published in: "Geistliche Lieder"
Town: Wittenberg, 1543

O Lord, Our Father, Shall We be Confounded - #269 - Heermann - Winkworth Translation

"O Lord, Our Father, Shall We be Confounded"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

Tune - Herzliebster Jesu - linked here

1. O Lord, our Father, shall we be confounded
Who, though by trials and by woes surrounded,
On Thee alone for help are still relying,
To Thee are crying?

2. Lord, put to shame Thy foes who breathe defiance
And vainly make their might their sole reliance;
In mercy turn to us, the poor and stricken,
Our hope to quicken.

3. Be Thou our Helper and our strong Defender;
Speak to our foes and cause them to surrender.
Yea, long before their plans have been completed,
They are defeated.

4. 'Tis vain to trust in man; for Thou, Lord, only
Art the Defense and Comfort of the lonely.
With Thee to lead, the battle shall be glorious
And we victorious.

5. Thou art our Hero, all our foes subduing;
Save Thou Thy little flock they are pursuing.
We seek Thy help; for Jesus' sake be near us.
Great Helper, hear us!

Hymn #269
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 22: 5
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1869, alt.
Titled: "Herr, unser Gott, lass nicht zuschanden werden"
Composer: Johann Crueger, 1640
Tune: "Herzliebster Jesu"

O God Thou Faithful God - #395 - Heermann

"O God, Thou Faithful God"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. O God, Thou faithful God,
Thou Fountain ever flowing,
Who good and perfect gifts
In mercy art bestowing,
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unhurt by sin!

2. Grant Thou me strength to do
With ready heart and willing
Whate'er Thou shalt command,
My calling here fulfilling;
To do it when I ought,
With all my might, and bless
The work I thus have wrought,
For Thou must give success.

3. Oh, let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth;
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth;
And then, when in my place
I must and ought to speak,
My words grant power and grace
Lest I offend the weak.

4. If dangers gather round,
Still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross
When life is dark and cheerless;
And let me win my foe
With words and actions kind.
When counsel I would know,
Good counsel let me find.

5.And let me with all men,
As far as in me lieth,
In peace and friendship live.
And if Thy gift supplieth
Great wealth and honor fair,
Then this refuse me not,
That naught be mingled there
Of goods unjustly got.

6. If Thou a longer life
Hast here on earth decreed me;
If Thou through many ills
To age at length wilt lead me,
Thy patience on me shed.
Avert all sin and shame
And crown my hoary head
With honor free from blame.

7. Let me depart this life
Confiding in my Savior;
Do Thou my soul receive
That it may live forever;
And let my body have
A quiet resting-place
Within a Christian grave;
And let it sleep in peace.

8. And on that solemn Day
When all the dead are waking,
Stretch o'er my grave Thy hand,
Thyself my slumbers breaking.
Then let me hear Thy voice,
Change Thou this earthly frame,
And bid me aye rejoice
With those who love Thy name.

Hymn #395
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: 1 Kings 3: 5
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Titled: "O Gott, du frommer Gott"
Tune: "O Gott, du frommer Gott"
1st Published in: Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch
Town: Meniningen, 1693

O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken - #143 - Heermann, Winkworth Translation

Heerman wrote many great chorale hymns, including the overlooked "Yea, as I live, Jehovah saith, I do not wish the sinner's death."


"O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession, --
What dark transgression?

2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.

3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.

4. What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.

5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted, --
God is committed.

6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin's poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.

7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.

8. O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?

9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder, --
Thy woes, Thy mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?

10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate'er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.

11. But since my strength will nevermore suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!

12. I'll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth's vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.

13. Whate'er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I'll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.

14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love's sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.

15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #143
Text: Luke 23: 20-24
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: "Herzliebster Jesu"
Composer: Johann Crueger, 1640
Tune: "Herzliebster Jesu"

Editor: Travis Cartee

O Christ, Our True and Only Light - #512 - Heermann - Winkworth Translation

"O Christ, Our True and Only Light"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. O Christ, our true and only Light,
Enlighten those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Thy voice
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.

2. Fill with the radiance of Thy grace
The souls now lost in error's maze
And all whom in their secret minds
Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

3. Oh, gently call those gone astray
That they may find the saving way!
Let every conscience sore opprest
In Thee find peace and heavenly rest.

4. Oh, make the deaf to hear Thy Word
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow,
Though secretly they hold it now.

5. Shine on the darkened and the cold,
Recall the wanderers to Thy fold,
Unite all those who walk apart,
Confirm the weak and doubting heart,

6. So they with us may evermore
Such grace with wondering thanks adore
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all Thy Church in earth and heaven.

Hymn #512
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Luke 1:79
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Titled: "O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht"
Tune: "O Jesu Christ, mein's"
1st Published in: Nuernbergisches Gesangbuch, 1676

Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing - #144 - Heermann

"Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. Jesus, grant that balm and healing
In Thy holy wounds I find,
Every hour that I am feeling
Pains of body and of mind.
Should some evil thought within
Tempt my treacherous heart to sin,
Show the peril, and from sinning
Keep me ere its first beginning.

2. Should some lust or sharp temptation
Prove too strong for flesh and blood,
Let me think upon Thy Passion,
And the breach is soon made good.
Or should Satan press me hard,
Let me then be on my guard,
Saying, "Christ for me was wounded,"
That the Tempter flee confounded.

3. If the world my heart entices
On the broad and easy road
With it mirth and luring voices,
Let me think upon the load
Thou didst carry and endure
That I flee all thoughts impure,
Banishing each wild emotion,
Calm and blest in my devotion.

4. Every wound that pains or grieves me,
By Thy stripes, Lord is made whole;
When I'm faint, Thy Cross revives me,
Granting new life to my soul.
Yea, Thy comfort renders sweet
Every bitter cup I meet;
For Thy all-atoning Passion
Has procured my soul's salvation.

5. O my God, my Rock and Tower,
Grant that in Thy death I trust,
Knowing Death has lost his power
Since Thou trod'st him in the dust.
Savior, let Thine agony
Ever help and comfort me;
When I die, be my Protection,
Light and Life and Resurrection.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #144
Text: 1 Peter 2: 24
Author: Johann Heermann, 1644, ab.
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Jesu, deine tiefen Wunden"
Composer: Johnann B. Koenig, 1738
Tune: Der am Kreuz

If Thy Beloved Son, O God - #375 - Heermann

"If Thy Beloved Son, O God"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. If Thy beloved Son, O God,
Had not to earth descended
And in our mortal flesh and blood
Had not sin's power ended,
Then this poor, wretched soul of mine
In hell eternally would pine
Because of its transgression.

2. But now I find sweet peace and rest,
Despair no more reigns o'er me;
No more am I by sin opprest,
For Christ has borne sin for me.
Upon the cross for me He died
That, reconciled, I might abide
With Thee, my God, forever.

3. I trust in Him with all my heart;
Now all my sorrow ceases;
His words abiding peace impart,
His blood from guilt releases.
Free grace through Him I now obtain;
He washes me from every stain,
And pure I stand before Him.

4. All righteousness by works is vain,
The Law brings condemnation;
True righteousness by faith I gain,
Christ's work is my salvation.
His death, that perfect sacrifice,
Has paid the all-sufficient price;
In Him my hope is anchored.

5. My guilt, O Father, Thou hast laid
On Christ, Thy Son, my Savior.
Lord Jesus, Thou my debt hast paid
And gained for me God's favor.
O Holy Ghost, Thou Fount of grace,
The good in me to Thee I trace;
In faith do Thou preserve me.

Hymn #375
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Galatians 2:16
Author: St. 1-4, Johann Heermann, 1630
Author: St. 5, unknown, 1661
Translated by: Composite
Titled: "Wenn dein herzliebster Sohn, o Gott"
Tune: "Nun freut euch"
1st Published in: Etlich' christliche Lieder
Town: Wittenberg, 1524

Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy - #659 - Heermann

"Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

Tune - Schmucke dich - linked here

Feed Thy children, God most holy,
Comfort sinners poor and lowly;
O Thou Bread of Life from heaven,
Bless the food Thou here hast given!
As these gifts the body nourish,
May our souls in graces flourish
Till with saints in heavenly splendor
At Thy feast due thanks we render.

Hymn #659
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 145:15-16
Author: Johann Heermann, 1656, alt.
Translated by: composite
Titled:"Speis uns, o Gott, deine Kinder"
Composer: Johann Cruger, 1649
Tune: "Schmuecke dich"