Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark Part 6

Lord, with tears I pray Thee ever: Lead into my heart that river, Which with grace redeeming cleanses Heart and soul of all offences, Blotting out my guilt and shame.

Lord, Thy life for sinners giving, Let in Thee me find my living So for Thee my heart is beating, All my thoughts in Thee are meeting, Finding there their light and joy.

Though all earthly things I cherish Like the flowers may fade and perish, Thou, I know, wilt stand beside me; And from death and judgment hide me; Thou hast paid the wage of sin.

Yes, my heart believes the wonder Of Thy cross, which ages ponder! s.h.i.+eld me, Lord, when foes a.s.sail me, Be my staff when life shall fail me; Take me to Thy Paradise.

Grundtvig's Easter hymns strike the triumphant note, especially such hymns as "Christ Arose in Glory", "Easter Morrow Stills Our Sorrow", and the very popular, Move the signs of gloom and mourning[10] From the garden of the dead. For the wreaths of grief and yearning, Plant bright lilies in their stead. Carve instead of sighs of grief Angels' wings in bold relief, And for columns, cold and broken, Words of hope by Jesus spoken.

His Easter hymns fail as a whole to reach the height of his songs for other church festivals. In this respect, they resemble the hymnody of the whole church, which contains remarkably few really great hymns on the greatest events in its history. It is as though the theme were too great to be expressed in the language of man.

Grundtvig wrote a number of magnificent hymns on the themes of our Lord's ascension and His return to judge the quick and the dead. Of the latter, the hymn given below is perhaps the most favored of those now available in English.

Lift up thy head, O Christendom! Behold above the blessed home For which thy heart is yearning. There dwells the Lord, thy soul's delight, Who soon with power and glory bright Is for His bride returning.

And when in every land and clime, All shall behold His signs sublime, The guilty world appalling, Then shalt with joy thou lift thine eyes And see Him coming in the skies, While suns and stars are falling.

While for His coming thou dost yearn, Forget not why His last return The Savior is delaying, And ask Him not before His hour To shake the heavens with His power, Nor judge the lost and straying.

O saints of G.o.d, for Sodom pray Until your prayers no more can stay The judgment day impending. Then cries the Lord: "Behold, I come!" And ye shall answer: "To Thy home We are with joy ascending!"

Then loud and clear the trumpet calls, The dead awake, death's kingdom falls, And G.o.d's elect a.s.semble. The Lord ascends the judgment throne, And calls His ransomed for His own, While hearts in gladness tremble.

Grundtvig is often called the Singer of Pentecost. And his hymns on the nature and work of the Spirit do rank with his very best. He believed in the reality of the Spirit as the living, active agent of Christ in His church. As the church came into being by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, so our Lord still builds and sanctifies it by the Spirit, working through His words and sacraments. His numerous hymns on the Spirit are drawn from many sources, both ancient and modern. His treatment of the originals is so free, however, that it is difficult in most cases to know whether his versions should be accepted as adaptations or originals. Of mere translations there are none. The following version of the widely known hymn, "Veni Sancte Spiritus," may serve to ill.u.s.trate his work as a transplanter of hymns.

Holy Spirit, come with light, Break the dark and gloomy night With Thy day unending. Help us with a joyful lay Greet the Lord's triumphant day Now with might ascending.

Comforter so wondrous kind, n.o.ble guest of heart and mind Fix in us Thy dwelling. Give us peace in storm and strife, Fill each troubled heart and life With Thy joy excelling.

Make salvation clear to us, Who despite our sin and dross Would exalt the Spirit. For without Thine aid and love All our life and work must prove Vain and without merit.

Raise or bow us with Thine arm, Break temptation's evil charm, Clear our clouded vision. Fill our hearts with longing new, Cleanse us with Thy morning dew, Tears of deep contrition.

Blessed Fount of life and breath, Let our hope in view of death Blossom bright and vernal; And above the silent tomb Let the Easter lilies bloom, Signs of life eternal.

Many of Grundtvig's original hymns evince a strong Danish coloring, a fact which is especially evident in a number of his Pentecost hymns. Pentecost comes in Denmark at the first breath of summer when nature, prompted by balmy breezes, begins to unfold her latent life and beauty. This similarity between the life of nature and the work of the Spirit is strikingly expressed in a number of his Pentecost hymns.

The following hymn, together with its beautiful tune, is rated as one of the most beautiful and, lyrically, most perfect hymns in Danish. Because of its strong Danish flavor, however, it may not make an equal appeal to American readers. The main thought of the hymn is that, as in nature, so also in the realm of the Spirit, summer is now at hand. The coming of the Spirit completes G.o.d's plan of salvation and opens the door for the unfolding of a new life. The translation is by Prof. S. D. Rodholm.

The sun now s.h.i.+nes in all its splendor, The fount of life and mercy tender; Now bright Whitsunday lilies grow And summer sparkles high and low; Sweet songsters sing of harvest gold In Jesus' name a thousand fold.

The peaceful nightingales are filling The quiet night with music thrilling. Thus all that to the Lord belong May rest in peace and wake with song, May dream of life beyond the skies, And with G.o.d's praise at daylight rise.

It breathes from heaven on the flowers, It whispers home-like in the bowers, A balmy breeze comes to our coast From Paradise, no longer closed, And gently purls a brooklet sweet Of life's clear water at our feet.

This works the Spirit, still descending, And tongues of fire to mortals lending, That broken hearts may now be healed, And life with grace and love revealed In Him, who came from yonder land And has returned to G.o.d's right hand.

Awaken then all tongues to honor Lord Jesus Christ, our blest Atoner; Let every voice in anthems rise To praise the Savior's sacrifice. And thou, His Church, with one accord Arise and glorify the Lord.

Of his other numerous hymns on the Spirit, the one given below is, perhaps, one of the most characteristic.

Holy Ghost, our Interceder, Blessed Comforter and Pleader With the Lord for all we need, Deign to hold with us communion That with Thee in blessed union We may in our life succeed.

Heavenly Counsellor and Teacher, Make us through Thy guidance richer In the grace our Lord hath won. Blest Partaker of G.o.d's fullness, Make us all, despite our dullness, Wiser e'en than Solomon.

Helper of the helpless, harken To our pleas when shadows darken; s.h.i.+eld us from the beasts of prey. Rouse the careless, help the weary, Bow the prideful, cheer the dreary, Be our guest each pa.s.sing day.

Comforter, whose comfort lightens Every cross that scars and frightens, Succor us from guilt and shame. Warm our heart, inspire our vision, Add Thy voice to our pet.i.tion As we pray in Jesus' name.

Believing in the Spirit, Grundtvig also believed in the kingdom of G.o.d, not only as a promise of the future but as a reality of the present.

Right among us is G.o.d's kingdom With His Spirit and His word, With His grace and love abundant At His font and altar-board.

Among his numerous hymns on the nature and work of G.o.d's kingdom, the following is one of the most favored.

Founded our Lord has upon earth a realm of the Spirit Wherein He fosters a people restored by His merit. It shall remain People its glory attain, They shall the kingdom inherit.

Forward like light of the morning its message is speeding, Millions receive and proclaim it with gladness exceeding For with His word G.o.d doth His Spirit accord, Raising all barriers impeding.

Jesus, our Savior, with G.o.d in the highest residing, And by the Spirit the wants of Thy people providing, Be Thou our life, s.h.i.+eld and defender in strife, Always among us abiding.

Then shall Thy people as Lord of the nations restore Thee, Even by us shall a pathway be straightened before Thee Till everywhere, Bending in wors.h.i.+p and prayer, All shall as Savior adore Thee.

The kingdom of G.o.d is the most wonderful thing on earth.

Most wonderful of all things is The kingdom Jesus founded. Its glory, treasure, peace and bliss No tongue has fully sounded.

Invisible as mind and soul, And yet of light the fountain, It sheds its light from pole to pole Like beacons from a mountain.

Its secret is the word of G.o.d, Which works what it proposes, Which lowers mountains high and broad And clothes the wastes with roses.

Though foes against the kingdom rage With hatred and derision, G.o.d spreads its reign from age to age, And brings it to fruition.

Its glory rises like a morn When waves at sunrise glitter, Or as in June the golden corn While birds above it twitter.

It is the glory of the King Who bore affliction solely That he the crown of life might bring To sinners poor and lowly.

And when His advent comes to pa.s.s, The Christian's strife is ended, What now we see as in a gla.s.s Shall then be comprehended.

Then shall the kingdom bright appear In glory true and vernal, And usher in the golden year Of peace and joy eternal.

But the kingdom of G.o.d here on earth is represented by the Christian church, wherein Christ works by the Spirit through His word and sacraments. Of Grundtvig's many splendid hymns of the church, the following, in the translation of Pastor Carl Doving, has become widely known in all branches of the Lutheran church in America. Pastor Doving's translation is not wholly satisfactory, however, to those who know the forceful and yet so appealing language of the original, a fate which, we are fully aware, may also befall the following new version.

Built on a rock the church of G.o.d Stands though its towers be falling; Many have crumbled beneath the sod, Bells still are chiming and calling, Calling the young and old to come, But above all the souls that roam, Weary for rest everlasting.

G.o.d, the most high, abides not in Temples that hands have erected. High above earthly strife and sin, He hath his mansions perfected. Yet He, whom heavens cannot contain, Chose to abide on earth with man Making their body His temple.

We are G.o.d's house of living stones, Built for the Spirit's indwelling. He at His font and table owns Us for His glory excelling. Should only two confess His name, He would yet come and dwell with them, Granting His mercy abounding.

Even the temples built on earth Unto the praise of the Father, Are like the homes of hallowed worth Whence we as children did gather. Glorious things in them are said, G.o.d there with us His covenant made, Making us heirs of His kingdom.

There we behold the font at which G.o.d as His children received us; There stands the altar where His rich Mercy from hunger relieved us. There His blest word to us proclaim: Jesus is now and e'er the same, So is His way of salvation.

Grant then, O Lord, where'er we roam, That, when the church bells are ringing, People in Jesus' name may come, Praising His glory with singing. "Ye, not the world, my face shall see; I will abide with you," said He. "My peace I leave with you ever."

As a believer in objective Christianity, Grundtvig naturally exalts the G.o.d-given means of grace, the word and sacraments, through which the Spirit works. In one of the epigrammatic expressions often found in his writings, he says: We are and remain, We live and attain In Jesus, G.o.d's living word When His word we embrace And live by its grace, Then dwells He within us, our Lord.

This firm belief in the actual presence of Christ in His word and sacraments lends an exceptional realism to many of his hymns on the means of grace. Through the translation by Pastor Doving the following brief hymn has gained wide renown in America.

G.o.d's word is our great heritage, And shall be ours forever. To spread its light from age to age, Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guards our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations.

Of his numerous hymns on baptism, the following, which an American authority on hymnody calls the finest baptismal hymn ever written, is perhaps the most representative.

O let Thy spirit with us tarry, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, So that the babes we to Thee carry May be unto Thy death baptized.

Lord, after Thee we humbly name them, O let them in Thy name arise! If they should stumble, Lord, reclaim them, That they may reach Thy paradise.

If long their course, let them not falter. Give to Thine aged servants rest. If short their race, let by Thine altar Them like the swallows find a rest.

Upon their heart, Thy name be written, And theirs within Thine own right hand, That even when by trials smitten, They in Thy covenant firm may stand.

Thine angels sing for children sleeping, May they still sing when death draws nigh. Both cross and crown are in Thy keeping. Lord, lead us all to Thee on high.

His communion hymns are gathered from many sources. Of his originals the following tender hymn is perhaps the most typical.

Savior, whither should we go From the truest friend we know, From the Son of G.o.d above, From the Fount of saving love, Who in all this world of strife Hath alone the word of life.

No, I dare not turn from Thee, Though Thy word oft chasten me, For throughout this world, O Lord, Death is still the cruel word. Whoso saves the soul from death Brings redemption, life and breath.

"Eat my flesh and drink my blood." Saith our Lord, so kind and good. "Whoso takes the bread and wine, Shall receive my life divine, Be redeemed from all his foes And arise as I arose."

Hear Him then, my heart distressed, Beating anxious in my breast. Take Thy Savior at His word, Meet Him at His altar-board, Eat His body, drink His blood, And obtain eternal good.

Grundtvig also produced a great number of hymns for the enrichment of other parts of the church service. Few hymns thus strike a more appropriate and festive note for the opening service than the short hymn given below.

Come, Zion, and sing to the Father above; Angels join with you And thank Him for Jesus, the gifts of His love. We sing before G.o.d in the highest.

Strike firmly, O Psalmist, the jubilant chord; Golden be your harp In praise of Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord. We sing before G.o.d in the highest.

Then hear we with rapture the tongues as of fire, The Spirit draws nigh, Whose counsels with comforts our spirits inspire, We sing before G.o.d in the highest.

Equally fine is his free rendering of the 84th psalm.

Fair beyond telling, Lord, is Thy dwelling, Filled with Thy peace. Oh how I languish And, in my anguish, Wait for release That I may enter Thy temple, O Lord, With Thee communing in deepest accord.

With Thy compa.s.sion, Lord of Salvation, Naught can compare. Even the sparrow Safe from the arrow Rests in Thy care. And as Thou s.h.i.+eldest the bird in its nest, So let my heart in Thy temple find rest.

Years full of splendors, Which to offenders Earth may afford, Never can measure One day of pleasure Found with Thee, Lord, When on the wings of Thy quickening word Souls are uplifted and Thou art adored.

Quicken in spirit, Grow in Thy merit Shall now Thy friends. Blessings in showers Filled with Thy powers On them descends Until at home in the city of gold All shall in wonder Thy presence behold.

Grundtvig's hymns are for the most part church hymns, presenting the objective rather than the subjective phase of Christian faith. He wrote for the congregation and held that a hymn for congregational singing should express the common faith and hope of the wors.h.i.+ppers, rather than the personal feelings and experiences of the individual. Because of this his hymns are frequently criticized for their lack of personal sentiment. The personal note is not wholly lacking in his work, however, as witnessed by the following hymn.

Suffer and languish, Tremble in anguish Must every soul that awakes to its guilt. Sternly from yonder, Sinai doth thunder: Die or achieve what no sinner fulfilled.

Tremble with gladness, Smile through their sadness Shall all that rest in the arms of the Lord. Grace beyond measure, Comfort and treasure Gathers the heart from His merciful word.

Bravely to suffer, Gladly to offer Praises to G.o.d 'neath the weight of our cross, This will the Spirit Help us to merit Granting a breath from G.o.d's heaven to us.

Even stronger is the personal sentiment of this appealing hymn.

With her cruse of alabaster, Filled with ointment rare and sweet, Came the woman to the Master, Knelt contritely at His feet, Feeling with unfeigned contrition How unfit was her condition To approach the Holy One.

Like this woman, I contritely Often must approach the Lord, Knowing that I cannot rightly Ask a place beside His board. Sinful and devoid of merit, I can only cry in spirit: Lord, be merciful to me.

Lord of Grace and Mercy, harken To my plea for grace and light. Threatening clouds and tempests darken Now my soul with gloomy night. Let, despite my guilt and error, My repenting tears still mirror Thy forgiving smile, O Lord.

The following hymn likewise voices the need for personal perseverance.

Hast to the plow thou put thy hand Let not thy spirit waver, Heed not the world's allurements grand, Nor pause for Sodom's favor. But plow thy furrow, sow the seed, Though tares and thorns thy work impede; For they, who sow with weeping, With joy shall soon be reaping.

But should at times thy courage fail-- For all may fail and falter-- Let not the tempting world prevail On thee thy course to alter. Each moment lost in faint retreat May bring disaster and defeat. If foes bid thee defiance, On G.o.d be thy reliance.

If steadfast in the race we keep, Our course is soon completed. And death itself is but a sleep, Its dreaded might defeated. But those who conquer in the strife Obtain the victor's crown of life And shall in constant gladness Forget these days of sadness.

It is, perhaps, in his numerous hymns on Christian trust, comfort and hope that Grundtvig reaches his highest. His contributions to this type of hymns are too numerous to be more than indicated here. But the hymn given below presents a fair example of the simplicity and poetic beauty that characterize many of them.

G.o.d's little child, what troubles you! Think of your Heavenly Father true. He will uphold you by His hand, None can His might and grace withstand. The Lord be praised!

Shelter and food and counsel tried G.o.d for His children will provide. They shall not starve, nor homeless roam, Children may claim their Father's home. The Lord be praised!

Birds with a song toward heaven soar, Neither they reap nor lay in store, But where the h.o.a.rder dies from need, Gathers the little bird a seed. The Lord be praised!

Clad are the flowers in raiment fair, Wondrous to see on deserts bare. Neither they spin nor weave nor sew Yet no king could such beauty show. The Lord be praised!

Flowers that bloom at break of dawn Only to die when day is gone, How can they with the child compare That shall the Father's glory share? The Lord be praised!

G.o.d's little child, do then fore'er Cast on the Lord your every care. Trust in His love, His grace and might Then shall His peace your soul delight. The Lord be praised!

G.o.d will your every need allay Even tomorrow as yesterday, And when the sun for you goes down He will your soul with glory crown. The Lord be praised!

Grundtvig's friends were sometimes called the "Merry Christians." There was nothing superficial or lighthearted, however, about the Christianity of their leader. It had been gained through intense struggles and maintained at the cost of worldly position and honor. But he did believe that G.o.d is love, and that love is the root and fount of life, as he says in the following splendid hymn. The translation is by the Reverend Doving.

Love, the fount of light from heaven, Is the root and source of life; Therefore G.o.d's decrees are given With His lovingkindness rife. As our Savior blest declareth And the Spirit witness beareth, As we in G.o.d's service prove; G.o.d is light and G.o.d is love.

Love, the crown of life eternal, Love the brightness is of light; Therefore on His throne supernal Jesus sits in glory bright. He the Light and Life of heaven, Who Himself for us hath given, Still abides and reigns above In His Father's boundless love.

Love, alone the law fulfilling, Is the bond of perfectness; Love, who came, a victim willing, Wrought our peace and righteousness. Therefore love and peace in union Ever work in sweet communion That through love we may abide One with Him who for us died.