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)

Peter's Fall

INGEN HØYHED INGEN ÆRE* [12]

tune: previous tune

 

1 There's no honour and no highness,

No perfection can there be,

Where the sun with light doth witness,-

That can promise certainty,

There's no office and no call

Which can keep us from sin's fall

There is nothing, oh so holy,

Which can keep us from sin wholly.

 

2 No one dare in mind be saying

That he never stumble can

For the thoughts his heart are swaying,

Disappointed, sinful man.

All presumption must be banned

Even if today he stand

For tomorrow he may stumble

All unhappy and made humble.

 

3 Greatest saint must also live in

Adam's flesh and sin's array;

Even highest gifts of heaven

He must bear in mortal clay.

Come and see how Peter fails

Nought his faithful pledge avails

All his promises negating

Into smoke and vapor fading.

 

4 Jesus stands in great dishonor,

Bound and beaten, spit upon,

Shame and scandal, and no honor

From the wicked powers anon!

Peter soon forgets His need

Fearing his own death indeed;

Leaves the Prince of Life, his Savior,

Promise broken, faith doth waver!

 

5 By the fire he stands and trembles,

Trying just to keep him warm

But God's lovingkindness crumbles

In his heart and breast and arm.

Questioned by the lowly maid

If he knew the Man betrayed,

Three times he denied to know Him

Even with an oath disowned Him.

 

6 Soon the rooster crows, announcing

Passing night and coming dawn.

Peter still knows not his sinning

On the path too far he's gone.

Swearing, cursing, oaths he makes

Jesus' friendship he forsakes

Even as he doth disown him,

Jesus casts His eyes upon him.

 

7 Are you now the rock, dear Peter,

That God's Church is built upon?

How then can you slip and teeter

And in storm not better stand?

No! The Rock is Jesus Christ

And His Word of Paradise.

He stands fast and unconfounded;

On His Word God's Church is founded.

 

8 There's no sadness and no sorrow

That can hinder Jesus' goal

With Thine eyes a glance must borrow

Of this wretched fallen soul.

How Thy countenance did fall

As Thou knew his heart-thoughts all.

Oh, what guilt on him is sinking

On Thy faithful Word he's thinking.

 

9 O my Jesus, when I ponder

On the beam within my eye

And my conscience too doth wonder

On the thorns that in me lie!

Then my heart doth speak to me

That I thousand times have Thee

Oft denied so sad and shameful

More than Peter I am blameful.

 

10 Three times Thy dear friend denied Thee

And his heart, betrayed Thee, Lord.

Many times I've multiplied me

Sins against Thy Law and Word

Never can they numbered be

More than stars and sands of sea;

All my heart and sight and thinking

Must in shame to earth be sinking.

 

11 All too well for sin I'm yearning

Like a stubborn horse in stride;

Oh, from sin I would be turning,

But I'm bound in sinful pride.

So, Lord, turn Thyself to me

Grant me grace that I may be

By Thy watchful eye e'er guarded

With Thy light of grace rewarded.

 

12 Peter fell and was uplifted

By the power of Thy grace

O my Jesus, Thou hast lifted

All the weight of my disgrace!

Thou wilt ne'er abandon me

E'er how great my sin may be

Teach me such repentant weeping,

Let Thy Spirit me be keeping.

 

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