Hymn: The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away

January 1, 2023323 views0

Hymn: The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away

2023-01-01T11:45:57+01:00

By Church News

1 The old year now has passed away; We thank you, O our God, today That you have kept us through the year When danger and distress were near.2 We pray you, O eternal Son, Who with the Father reigns as one, To guard and rule your Christendom Through all the ages yet to come.3 Take not your saving Word away, Which lights and cheers our souls each day. Abide with us and keep us free From error and hypocrisy.4 Oh, help us to forsake all sin, A new and holier life begin! Forgive the old year’s sins, and bless The new year with true happiness,5 Wherein as Christians we may live Or die in peace that you can give, To rise again when you will come And enter your eternal home.6 There shall we thank you and adore With all the angels evermore. Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith To praise your name through life and death.Source: Christian Worship (1993): a Lutheran hymnal #71Author: Johann Steurlein Johann Steurlein (b. Schmalkalden, Thuringia, Germany, 1546; d. Meiningen, Germany, 1613) studied law at the University of Wittenberg.From 1569 to 1589 he lived in Wasungen near Meiningen, where he served as town clerk as well as cantor and organist in the Lutheran church.From 1589 until his death he lived in Meiningen, where at various times he served as notary public, mayor, and secretary to the Elector of Saxony. A gifted poet and musician, Steurlein rhymed both the Old and New Testaments in German.A number of his hymn tunes and harmonizations were published in Geistliche Lieder (1575) and Sieben und Zwantzig Neue Geistliche Gesenge (1588).Translator: Catherine WinkworthCatherine Winkworth was well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original.Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody.ALSO READ “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Pentatonix