A Shepherd's Story

"If I Were the Devil" by Klemet Preus

I thought the post itself was interesting, but I was particularly interested in his quotes by Christopher Boyd Brown. He made a presentation at Worship Conference this summer, which I attended and found very interesting. I was glad to see that the findings of his study are available in a book. 

He who to this day has fed me
And to many joys has led me
Is and ever shall be mine.
He who ever gently schools me,
He who daily guides and rules me,
Will remain my help divine.

A couple weeks ago now we started going through a study on Lutheran music called Singing the Faith in our Sunday Bible Hour. It’s a video presentation that discusses the history and background and theology of Lutheran music. It is very well done.

The first Sunday we covered the first part, on the hymns of Martin Luther and the first Lutheran hymnals of 1524. One point that didn’t actually make it into the video (it was in the intro video) was that the first hymnals were not primarily church books, but household books. That is so different than today, when hymnals aren’t always even used in church, much less in the home. But it wasn’t just the Lutheran hymnals of the 16th century that were intended to be used in the home. This picture is from an old WELS hymnal. It doesn’t have a date on it. But notice that the intention is spelled out clearly: "Songbook for church, school, and house" (This might also remind us of the importance of Lutheran elementary schools in teaching music.)

I think that if we are to carry on the rich heritage of music that sings the faith, the music must extend beyond a weekly worship service. Whether that comes from a hymnal in the home or not, at the very least, our own exposure to this music must be more than the 3 or 4 hymns we sing on a Sunday.

This idea is not new to me. We always did a lot of singing at home. And that is something I’m sure they learned from their parents. Singing was a part of everyday life. Grandpa sang hymns while he milked the cows. Mom sang hymns to wake us up in the morning and to put us to sleep at night.

My point here is that if we are to pass on our musical heritage, I think that our hymnals—or at least the hymns—need to be used as those early hymnals were intended: for church, school, and home.

I’m not sure I can add much to the Lenten hymns that I’m about to add to the list. I’ve already noted those classic themes common to most Lutheran lenten hymns.

1. "It is my sins for which you Lord must languish"
2. "To do your will shall be my sole endeavor"

This morning I started listening to one of my favorite recordings—J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion. I particularly love the way these hymns weave in and out of the passion narrative. Herzliebster Jesu is one of the hymns that he uses. Like I said, I’m not sure I can really add anything.

O dearest Jesus, what law have you broken
That such sharp sentence should on you be spoken?
Of what great crime have you to make confession—
What dark transgression?

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

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

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.

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
We forfeited our lives, yet are aquitted—
God is committed!

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

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

Hannah has been sick the past several days. Friday night Hannah and Andrew were both sick. Andrew seems to have bounced back quickly, but Hannah has taken a little longer.

Just a few minutes ago I tucked her into bed and sang to her a few stanzas that I commonly use at bedtime. I remember learning these two stanzas in 1st grade. I remember Mrs. Kraus putting the words on the overhead projector. I remember trying to find this hymn in the hymnal at home. It was difficult because we didn’t learn the first stanza.

Here are stanzas we sing at bedtime. Notice that the first stanza appeals to Jesus’ love as the reason he should watch over us. Jesus’ love is an objective truth that we already know. It gives us confidence to ask for his care and protection. The last stanza seems to be directed to those loves ones who are about to go to sleep. We pray that Jesus’ love, protection, and care rest on them as they "rest beneath night’s shadow" (st. 1).

Lord Jesus, since you love me,

Oh, spread your wings above me
And shield me from alarm.
Though Satan would assail me,
Your mercy will not fail me;
I rest in your protecting arm.

My loved ones, rest securely,
For God this night will surely
From peril guard your heads.
Sweet slumbers may he send you
And bid his hosts attend you
And through the night watch o’er your beds.

The picture here is Hannah when she was a baby.

I’ve noticed that Lenten hymns, more than those of other seasons of the year, refer to the new life of faith on the part of the Christian who has realized what great cost was spent on his behalf. Notice that all these references are at the end of the hymns. It shows that living a life to serve the Savior is always a response to the message that the Savior born the penalty for sin.

Grant that I your passion view
With repentant grieving.
Let me not bring shame to you
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Ev’ry sinful pleasure
Since for me God’s only Son
Suffered without measure? (CW 98, st. 5)

From morn till eve, in all I do,
I’ll praise you, Christ, my treasure.
To sacrifice myself for you
Shall be my aim and pleasure. (CW 100 st. 4)

What language shall I borrow
To thank you, dearest Friend,
For this, your dying sorrow,
Your pity without end?
Oh, make me yours forever,
And keep me strong and true;
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my live for you. (CW 105, st. 5)

Your cords of love, my Savior,
Bind me to you forever;
I am no longer mine.
You you I gladly tender
All that my life can render
And all I have to you resign. (CW 113, st. 5)

I’ll think upon your mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do your will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever. (CW 117, st. 6)

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. (CW 125, st. 4)

What can I for such love divine
To you, Lord Jesus, render?
No merit has this heart of mine;
Yet while I live I’ll tender
Myself alone
And all I own
In love to serve before you.
Then when time’s past,
Take me at last;
In heav’n I shall adore you.(CW 126, st. 5)

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away—
’Tis all that I can do. (CW 129 st. 5)