HYMNS ON THE PASSION

which can be used in the congregations during Lent

at the weekly service and on Days of Prayer

according to the custom of each place

[by Thomas Kingo]

[from the Gradual of 1699]

[Translation © Mark DeGarmeaux unless noted]

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Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary home page (ELH has 16 hymns by Thomas Kingo)

O come, let us worship (A Study in Lutheran Liturgy and Hymnody by M. DeGarmeaux) (107k)

The Path of Understanding -- The Development of Lectionaries and their use in the Lutheran Church (by the Rev. Alexander Ring)

THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

Jesus is led bound to the house of Annas and Caiaphas

LÆNGE HAFVER SATAN SPUNDET* [12]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 Long has Satan long been spinning

Bonds to wrap 'round Jesus' hands!

Forcefully would sin be pinning

Our dear Lord with hellish bands!

Heaven itself is bound in chains!

God's own Son will suffer pains!

Now a captive He is counted

With disgrace and shame surrounded.

 

2 See how He were from them slipping

If He went not willingly

Angry hands with cruelty gripping,

Prodding, howling mockingly

Each is full of vengeful harm

Fearing yet for great alarm

As a Lamb, the wolves did catch Him

He must follow where they snatch Him.

 

3 Annas, scoundrel, was not sleeping,

Wide awake, when they did walk

In his house with Jesus creeping

As a Dove before the hawk

Then to Caiaphas they came

Where they brought more grief and shame;

Power and time for Him was taken,

All with evil hatred waken.

 

4 Though the sun was still in hiding,

Yet the Sun of righteousness,

Jesus, takes His stand beside them,

While they mock in wickedness,

Now true Light has entered in

Though their minds and hearts are dim,

Questions of His teaching taking,

All the while their jokes still making.

 

5 If He plainly spoke His doctrine

Even with all gentleness

In return would lies be spoken

Fists be clenched in vengefulness

Slaps upon His face they aim

No remorse and without shame

God must take these strikes and lashes

From a scoundrel, made from ashes.

 

6 Justice no one here is keeping

All true testimony blocked

Sympathy is soundly sleeping

Doors for mercy all are locked!

Wanton power alone awakes

Satan gladly torches takes

Aged priests look on approving

Hellish beasts, themselves but proving.

 

7 Now false witnesses are showing

Which of them can lie the best

Wicked ones, in number growing,

Sit in judgement with the rest!

Jesus' face is spit upon

Hidden, smitten, listening on,

As He now should guess who hit Him

Who true justice has o'erridden.

 

8 Thus is ended this conspir'cy

Sentencing the Lord to die

Never dare He ask for mercy,

Hearing how the dogs do cry;

That He surely death had won,

Since He called Himself God's Son!

What He is, they think is scheming,

So they shout with loud blaspheming.

 

9 Dear God, teach me that I never

Bind my passions with the bands

Which the wicked unbelievers

Placed upon Thy heavenly hands,

And when Satan comes to me

With his wiles deceitfully,

Come to me in heart and spirit

To recall Thy bonds and merit.

 

10 If for truth's sake they now take me,

If I'm treated scornfully,

If they still with tongues forsake me,

If they beat me mockingly,

Let me still believing see

All the scorn Thou bor'st for me

Insult, shame, and wicked mock'ry

For my everlasting glory.

 

11 Even if the whole world hate me

Fitting me with heavy yoke

Show me then Thy work to save me

All Thy suff'ring in Thy book

That with faith I learn to see

How with lies they harassed Thee

Fie, then all who speak with evil

Fie, then all who serve the devil!

 

12 Though they still with death may threaten

Heaping me with sore disgrace

Let me see, -my soul enlighten-

All the patience on Thy face,

When the judgement came on Thee,

And Thou hadst no way to flee;

So may all Thy pain and sighing

Calm me in my fear of dying.

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