Paul R. Hinlicky - Luther for Evangelicals: A Reintroduction

Note: Luthers hymns are listed here in the order in which they are discussed in the book.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

1 A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

doth seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right Man on our side,

the Man of Gods own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same;

and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God has willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo! his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers

no thanks to them abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours

through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill:

Gods truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!

To Jordan Came the Christ Our Lord

1 To Jordan came our Lord, the Christ,

To do Gods pleasure willing,

And there was by St. John baptized,

All righteousness fulfilling;

There did He consecrate a bath

To wash away transgression,

And quench the bitterness of death

By His own blood and passion,

He would a new life give us.

2 So hear ye all, and well perceive

What God doth call a Baptism,

And what a Christian should believe

Who error shuns and schism:

That we should water use, the Lord

Declareth it His pleasure,

Not simple water, but the Word

And Spirit without measure;

He is the true Baptizer.

3 To show us this He hath His word

With signs and symbols given;

On Jordans banks was plainly heard

The Fathers voice from heaven:

This is My well-beloved Son,

In whom My soul delighteth;

Hear Him! Yea, hear Him, every one,

When He Himself inviteth;

Hear and obey His teaching!

4 In tender manhood Jesus straight

To holy Jordan wendeth;

The Holy Ghost from heavens throne

In dove-like form descendeth;

That thus the truth be not denied,

Nor should our faith eer waver,

That the Three Persons all preside,

At Baptisms holy laver,

And dwell with the believer.

5 Thus Jesus His disciples sent

Go, teach ye every nation,

That, lost in sin, they must repent,

And flee from condemnation;

He that believes and is baptized

Obtains a mighty blessing,

A new-born man, no more he dies,

Eternal life possessing,

A joyful heir of heaven.

6 Who in this mercy hath not faith

Nor aught therein discerneth,

Is yet in sin, condemned to death

And fire that ever burneth;

His holiness avails him not,

Nor aught which he is doing;

His birth-sin brings all to naught,

And maketh sure his ruin;

Himself he cannot succor.

7 The eye of sense alone is dim,

And nothing sees but water;

Faith sees Christ Jesus, and in Him

The Lamb ordained for slaughter;

With the dear blood of Jesus,

Which from the sins, inherited

From fallen Adam, frees us,

And those we have committed.

From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

1 From heaven above to earth I come

To bear good news to every home;

Glad tidings of great joy I bring,

Whereof I now will say and sing.

2 To you this night is born a Child

Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;

This little child, of lowly birth,

Shall be the joy of all the earth.

3 This is the Christ, our God and Lord,

Who in all need shall aid afford;

That in His heavenly Kingdom blest

You may with us forever rest.

4 He brings those blessing, long ago

Prepared by God for all below,

Henceforth His Kingdom open stands

To you, as to the angel bands.

5 These are the tokens ye shall mark:

The swaddling-clothes and manger dark.

There ye shall find the young child laid

By whom the heavens and earth were made.

6 Now let us all with gladsome cheer,

Follow the shepherds, and draw near

To see the wondrous Gift of God,

Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.

7 Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!

What is it in yon manger lies?

Who is this child, so young and fair?

Dear little Jesus lieth there.

8 Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,

Through whom the sinful world is blest!

Thou comst to share my misery,

What thanks shall I return to Thee?

9 Ah! Lord, who hast created all,

How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,

That Thou must choose Thy infant bed,

Where humble cattle lately fed.

10 And were the world ten times as wide,

With gold and jewels beautified,

It would be far too small to be

A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

11 For velvets soft and silken stuff

Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,

Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great,

As twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

12 And thus, dear Lord, it pleased Thee

To make this truth quite plain to me,

That this worlds honor, wealth and might,

Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.

13 Ah! dearest Jesus, holy Child,

Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,

Within my heart, that it may be