1 Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior,
turned away God's wrath forever;
by his bitter grief and woe
he saved us from the evil foe.
2 As his pledge of love undying,
he, this precious food supplying,
gives his body with the bread
and with the wine the blood he shed.
3 Jesus here himself is sharing;
take heed how you are preparing,
for if you do not believe,
judgment instead you shall receive.
4 Useless would be Jesus' passion
if salvation you could fashion.
Do not come if you suppose
you need not him who died and rose.
5 Christ says, "Come, all you that labor,
and receive my grace and favor;
those who feel no pain or ill
need no physician's help or skill."
6 Then hold fast with faith unshaken
that this food is to be taken
by the souls who are distressed,
by hearts that long for peace and rest.
7 Praise the Father, who from heaven
unto us such food has given
and, to mend what we have done,
gave into death his only Son.
8 If your heart this truth professes
and your mouth your sin confesses,
surely you will be his guest
and at his banquet ever blest.
Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #659
Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody.
i. Hymn Books.
1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >
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