Revelation 19 prepares readers for the final battle. The saints rejoice in Heaven at the marriage feast of the Lamb, and those who opposed the Lord are turned into bird food.

566 is one of my favorite hymns, promoting trust in Christ for our salvation. Special thanks to a new special guest, Linda Schramke Rein, for providing the accompaniment.

By Grace I’m Saved

1. By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
   My soul, believe and doubt it not.
   Why stagger at this word of promise?
   Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
   No! Then this word must true remain;
   By grace you too will life obtain.
2. By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;
   Our works and conduct have no worth.
   God in His love sent our Redeemer,
   Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;
   His death did for our sins atone,
   And we are saved by grace alone.
3. By grace God’s Son, our only Savior,
   Came down to earth to bear our sin.
   Was it because of your own merit
   That Jesus died your soul to win?
   No, it was grace, and grace alone,
   That brought him from his heavenly throne.
4. By grace! This ground of faith is certain;
   As long as God is true, it stands.
   What saints have penned by inspiration,
   What in His word our God commands,
   Our faith in what our God has done
   Depends on grace–grace through his Son.
5. By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
   In tribulation’s furnace tried,
   By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,
   The Father’s heart is open wide.
   Where could I help and strength secure
   If grace were not my anchor sure?
6. By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
   In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;
   For though I know my heart’s condition,
   I also know my Savior’s voice.
   My heart is glad, all grief has flown
   Since I am saved by grace alone.

If we are “weak on santification,” it is our Old Adam who is weak on its own sanctification. The New Adam, daily rising out of baptism, makes no practice of sin but hopes in God, believing in the atonement on the cross for his righteousness. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth — and He is not weak.

Special thanks to Sam Mussmann for singing with us this week.

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

1. At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
   Praise to our victorious king,
   Who has washed us in the tide
   Flowing from his pierced side.
   Alleluia!
2. Praise we him, whose love divine
   Gives his sacred blood for wine,
   Gives his body for the feast
   Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
   Alleluia!
3. Where the paschal blood is poured,
   Death’s dread angel sheathes the sword;
   Israel’s hosts triumphant go
   Through the wave that drowns the foe.
   Alleluia!
4. Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
   Paschal victim, paschal bread;
   With sincerity and love
   Eat we manna from above.
   Alleluia!
5. Mighty Victim from the sky,
   Hell’s fierce powers beneath you lie;
   You have conquered in the fight
   You have brought us life and light.
   Alleluia!
6. Now no more can death appall,
   Now no more the grave enthrall;
   You have opened paradise,
   And your saints in you shall rise.
   Alleluia!
7. Easter triumph, Easter joy!
   This alone can sin destroy;
   From sin’s power, Lord, set us free,
   Newborn souls in you to be.
   Alleluia!
8. Father, who the crown shall give,
   Savior, by whose death we live,
   Spirit, guide through all our days;
   Three in One, Your name we praise.
   Alleluia!

Thomas’s doubt came from his certainty of how things are. “Until his fingers read like braille the markings of the spear and nail” is a modern yet faithful interpretation of Thomas’s desire. This is a good hymn about moving from doubt to faith.

Some time in the future I hope to chat with Stephen R. Johnson, who wrote REALITER for this hymn. We exchanged pleasantries on Facebook, but I will have to wait until I’m on the road before I can spend an evening on the phone with him.

The day of the Lord is coming, my friends; it only appears slow because our God wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Thanks to Anna Baseley and her brother John (who mixes) for their contributions to the hymn.

Text: © 1984 Oxford University Press, Inc.
Music: © 2003 Stephen R. Johnson. Used with permission.
All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

These Things Did Thomas Count as Real

1. These things did Thomas count as real:
   The warmth of blood, the chill of steel,
   The grain of wood, the heft of stone,
   The last frail twitch of flesh and bone.
2. The vision of his skeptic mind
   Was keen enough to make him blind
   To any unexpected act
   Too large for his small world of fact.
3. His reasoned certainties denied
   That one could live when one had died,
   Until his fingers read like braille
   The markings of the spear and nail.
4. May we, O God, by grace believe
   And thus the risen Christ receive,
   Whose raw imprinted palms reached out
   And beckoned Thomas from his doubt.

1 Peter 3: Humility and honor never go out of style. Neither does being saved through water.

Thanks to Sam Mussmann for providing vocals on the hymn and to Sandra Ostapowich for her remarks on 1 Peter 3.

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Awake, My Heart, With Gladness

1. Awake, my heart, with gladness,
   See what today is done;
   Now, after gloom and sadness,
   Comes forth the glorious sun.
   My Savior there was laid
   Where our bed must be made
   When to the realms of light
   Our spirit wings its flight.
2. The foe in triumph shouted
   When Christ lay in the tomb;
   But lo, he now is routed,
   His boast is turned to gloom.
   For Christ again is free;
   In glorious victory
   He who is strong to save
   Has triumphed o’er the grave.
3. This is a sight that gladdens–
   What peace it does impart!
   Now nothing ever saddens
   The joy within my heart.
   No gloom shall ever shake,
   No foe shall ever take
   The hope which God’s own Son
   In love for me has won.
4. Now hell, its prince, the devil,
   Of all their pow’r are shorn;
   Now I am safe from evil,
   And sin I laugh to scorn.
   Grim death with all its might
   Cannot my soul affright;
   It is a pow’rless form,
   Howe’er it rave and storm.
5. The world against me rages,
   Its fury I disdain;
   Though bitter war it wages,
   Its work is all in vain.
   My heart from care is free,
   No trouble troubles me.
   Misfortune now is play,
   And night is bright as day.
6. Now I will cling forever
   To Christ, my Savior true;
   My Lord will leave me never,
   Whate’er he passes through.
   He rends death’s iron chain;
   He breaks through sin and pain;
   He shatters hell’s grim thrall;
   I follow him through all.
7. He brings me to the portal
   That leads to bliss untold,
   Whereon this rhyme immortal
   Is found is script of gold:
   “Who there My cross has shard
   Finds here a crown prepared;
   Who there with Me has died
   Shall here be glorified.”

James 1 is all about promises. Having the promises of God, we are now able to choose what is right and help our neighbor.

Text and music LSB 473: © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free

1. Our Paschal Lamb, that sets us free,
   Is sacrificed. O keep
   The feast of freedom gallantly;
   Let alleluias leap:

   Refrain:
   Alleluia! Alleluia!
   Alleluia! Again
   Sing alleluia, cry aloud:
   Alleluia! Amen!

2. Let all our lives now celebrate
   The feast; let malice die.
   Let love grow strong anew, and great,
   Let truth stamp out the lie.

   Refrain

3. Let all our deeds, unanimous,
   Confess Him as our Lord
   Who by the Spirit lives in us,
   The Father’s living Word.

   Refrain

Thanks to Thee, O Christ Victorious

1. Thanks to Thee, O Christ, victorious!
   Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life!
   Death hath now no power o’er us,
   Thou has conquared in the strife.
   Thanks because Thou didst arise
   And hast opened paradise!
   None can fully sing the glory
   Of the resurrection story.
2. Thou hast died for my transgression,
   All my sins on Thee were laid;
   Thou has won for me salvation,
   On the cross my debt was paid.
   From the grave I shall arise
   And shall meet Thee in the skies.
   Death itself is transitory;
   I shall lift my head in glory.
3. For the joy Thine advent gave me,
   For Thy holy, precious Word;
   For Thy Baptism, which doth save me,
   For Thy blest Communion board;
   For Thy death, the bitter scorn,
   For thy resurrection morn,
   Lord, I thank thee and extol Thee,
   And in heav’n I shall behold Thee.

Blessed Maundy Thursday!

God’s promise was good enough, but he then reinforces it with an oath. That’s excellent assurance from the Almighty. We have this as the anchor for our souls.

The hymn of course reflects the institution of the Lord’s Supper as celebrated today.

617 Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

O Lord, We Praise Thee

1. O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
   In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
   Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
   Our weak souls that they may flourish.
   O Lord, have mercy!
   May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary
   That our sins and sorrow did carry,
   And Thy blood for us plead
   In all trial, fear and need:
   O Lord, have mercy!
2. Thy holy body into death was given,
   Life to win for us in heaven.
   No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
   May this feast thereof remind us!
   O Lord, have mercy!
   Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
   That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
   All our debt Thou hast paid;
   Peace with God once more is made:
   O Lord, have mercy!
3. May God bestow on us His grace and favor
   That we follow Christ our Savior
   And live together here in love and union
   Nor despise this blessed Communion!
   O Lord, have mercy!
   Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
   Grant that heav’n-ly minded He make us;
   Give Thy church, Lord, to see
   Days of peace and unity;
   O Lord, have mercy!

Follow the pattern of sound words, the words that tell you about Christ crucified for sinners. Even if you are persecuted or suffer real harm because of your faith, know that Christ has suffered more and takes away your eternal suffering. Fear not the foe: his apparent triumph only lasts a little while.

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe

1. O little flock, fear not the Foe
   Who madly seeks your overthrow;
   Dread not his rage and pow’r.
   And though your courage sometimes faints,
   His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints
   Lasts but a little hour.
2. Be of good cheer; your cause belongs
   To Him who can avenge your wrongs;
   Leave it to Him, our Lord.
   Though hidden yet from mortal eyes,
   His Gideon shall for you arise,
   Uphold you and His Word.
3. As true as God’s own Word is true.
   Not earth nor hell’s Satanic crew
   Against us shall prevail.
   Their might, A joke, a mere facade!
   God is with us, and we with God–
   Our vict’ry cannot fail.
4. Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer;
   Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare,
   Fight for us once again!
   So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise
   A mighty chorus to Thy praise
   Forevermore. Amen.

Special thanks to Sam Mussmann for recording accompaniment and vocals!

743 is a great hymn to comfort those who remain after losing a loved one. The departed now rests in Jesus. Satan can harm him no more.

How necessary is it today to pray for those in authority, in a time where more and more rules threaten liberty and no longer permit us to live in peace and quietness.

We have been taught by the present culture to count as evil the roles of men and women presented in 1 Timothy 2 (and in a later podcast, 1 Peter 3). This order/structure of creation is a gift from God just like everything else he gives us. Adriane Door points out that the fact that we need to be reminded of this order stems all the way back not just to Eve’s failure at the tree, but Adam’s failure to teach.

Jesus, Priceless Treasure

1. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
   Fount of purest pleasure,
   Truest friend to me.
   Ah, how long in anguish
   Shall my spirit languish,
   Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
   Thou art mine,
   O Lamb divine!
   I will suffer naught to hide Thee;
   Naught I ask beside Thee.
2. In Thine arms I rest me;
   Foes who would molest me
   Cannot reach me here.
   Though the earth be shaking,
   Ev’ry heart be quaking,
   Jesus calms me fear.
   Lightnings flash
   And thunders crash;
   Yet, thou sin and hell assail me,
   Jesus will not fail me.
3. Satan, I defy thee;
   Death, I now decry thee;
   Fear, I bid thee cease.
   World, thou shalt not harm me
   Nor thy threats alarm me
   While I sing of peace.
   God’s great pow’r
   Guards ev’ry hour;
   Earth and all its depths adore Him,
   Silent bow before Him.
4. Hence, all earthly treasure!
   Jesus is my pleasure,
   Jesus is my choice.
   Hence, all empty glory!
   Naught to me thy story
   Told with tempting voice.
   Pain or loss,
   Or shame or cross,
   Shall not from my Savior move me
   Since He deigns to love me.
5. Evil world, I leave thee;
   Thou canst not deceive me,
   Thine appeal is vain.
   Sin that once did blind me,
   Get thee far behind me,
   Come not forth again.
   Past thy hour,
   O pride and pow’r;
   Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
   Leave thee now forever.
6. Hence, all fear and sadness!
   For the Lord of gladness,
   Jesus, enters in.
   Those who love the Father,
   Though the storms may gather,
   Still have peace within.
   Yea, whate’er
   I here must bear,
   Thou art still my purest pleasure,
   Jesus, priceless treasure!

We are using the setting from TLH. The words and music, written up in Finale and saved as a PDF, will appear as the next post, as we don’t seem to be able to make iTunes show more than one file on a post. Anna Baseley is our guest vocalist.

2 Thessalonians 1 is about thanksgiving for the increase in faith and hoping for the world to come. We who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation have nothing to fear. Our suffering here will be repaid in the end.

TLH 429 – Melody

Lent is upon us. St. Paul admonishes us to keep our eyes peeled for the day of the Lord. Encourage one another and build each other up, using the means he has given the church. God has not destined us for wrath!

We’ve re-recorded vocals on 607. It’s a treat to take the last couple of years’ worth of lessons and apply them to the old classics. Though great our sins, yet greater still Is God’s abundant favor.

From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee

1. From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
   In trial and tribulation;
   Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
   Lord, hear my supplication.
   If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,
   Who then could heaven ever win
   Or stand before Thy presence?
2. Thy love and grace alone avail
   To blot out my transgression;
   The best and holiest deeds must fail
   To break sin’s dread oppression.
   Before Thee none can boasting stand,
   But all must fear Thy strict demand
   And live alone by mercy.
3. Therefore my hope is in the Lord
   And not in mine own merit;
   It rests upon His faithful Word
   To them of contrite spirit
   That He is merciful and just;
   This is my comfort and my trust.
   His help I wait with patience.
4. And though it tarry through the night
   And till the morning waken,
   My heart shall never doubt His might
   Nor count itself forsaken.
   O Israel, trust in God your Lord.
   Born of the Spirit and the Word,
   Now wait for His appearing.
5. Though great our sins, yet greater still
   Is God’s abundant favor;
   His hand of mercy never will
   Abandon us, nor waver.
   Our shepherd good and true is He,
   Who will at last His Israel free
   From all their sin and sorrow.

We have a bonus hymn for the beginning of Lent! Matthew Pancake, from the podcast/radio program Radical Grace, accompanied and mixed for Hymn 419. On the occasion of this joint venture, if you donate to Time Out and mention Hymn 419, we will split the donation with Radical Grace and give you a link to download the hymn all by itself. Whether or not you donate, we’d love to hear your feedback on the hymn.

Philippians 1 is a reminder that apparent setbacks to the Gospel can actually advance the Gospel. Paul is jailed, but he preaches to the souls in prison — how’s that for being Christ-like?

Our first hymn helps us kick off the 40 days of Lent, which corresponds to Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness. May we use the gift of this season to repent and hear the Gospel.

A lot of comfort can be had in our second Lenten hymn. While we ask God to hear our penitential cry through despair and death, we know that Christ has triumphed and will reveal that triumph on the last day.

Hymn 418 Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

O Lord, throughout These Forty Days

1. O Lord, throughout these forty days
   You prayed and kept the fast;
   Inspire repentance for our sin,
   And free us from our past.
2. You strove with Satan, and You won;
   Your faithfulness endured;
   Lend us Your nerve, Your skill and trust
   In God’s eternal Word.
3. Though parched and hungry, yet You prayed
   And fixed Your mind above;
   So teach us to deny ourselves,
   Since we have known God’s love.
4. Be with us through this season, Lord,
   And all our earthly days,
   That when the final Easter dawns,
   We join in heaven’s praise.

Savior, When in Dust to Thee

1. Savior, when in dust to Thee
   Low we bow the adoring knee;
   When, repentant, to the skies
   Scarce we lift our weeping eyes;
   Oh, by all Thy pains and woe
   Suffered once for us below,
   Bending from Thy throne on high,
   Hear our penitential cry!
2. By Thy helpless infant years,
   By Thy life of want and tears,
   By Thy days of deep distress
   In the savage wilderness,
   By the dread, mysterious hour
   Of the insulting tempter’s power
   Turn, oh, turn a fav’ring eye;
   Hear our penitential cry!
3. By Thine hour of dire despair,
   By Thine agony of prayer,
   By the cross, the nail, the thorn,
   Piecing spear, and torturing scorn,
   By the gloom that veiled the skies
   O’er the dreadful sacrifice,
   Listen to our humble sigh;
   Hear our penitential cry!
4. By Thy keep expiring groan,
   By the sad sepulchral stone,
   By the vault whose dark abode
   Held in vain the rising God,
   O, from earth to heav’n restored,
   Mighty, reascended Lord,
   Bending from Thy throne on high,
   Hear our penitential cry!

Colossians 4 itself doesn’t have a lot of scriptural material, but I chose this because of Dr. Kretzmann’s commentary behind Colossians 4. I ended up posting 3 excerpts to Facebook and Google Plus.

834 is a tricky hymn but rewarding, once mastered. Kantor Beethe does a good job with the accompaniment, and we are privileged to be joined by Anna Baseley of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn, MI.

Text and tune: © 1967 Augsburg Fortress.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth

1. O God, O Lord of heav’n and earth,
   Thy living finger never wrote
   That life should be an aimless mote,
   A deathward drift from futile birth.
   Thy Word meant life triumphant hurled
   In splendor through Thy broken world.
   Since light awoke and life began,
   Thou hast desired Thy life for man.
2. Our fatal will to equal Thee,
   Our rebel will wrought death and night.
   We seized and used in prideful spite
   Thy wondrous gift of liberty.
   We housed us in this house of doom,
   Where death had royal scope and room,
   Until Thy servant, Prince of Peace,
   Breached all its walls for our release.
3. Thou camest to our hall of death,
   O Christ, to breathe our poisoned air,
   To drink for us the dark despair
   That strangled our reluctant breath.
   How beautiful the feet that trod
   The road that leads us back to God!
   How beautiful the feet that ran
   To bring the great good news to man!
4. O Spirit, who didst once restore
   Thy Church that it might be again
   The bringer of good news to men,
   Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more,
   That in these gray and latter days
   There may be those whose life is praise,
   Each life a high doxology
   To Father, Son, and unto Thee.

The election to salvation is the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ. When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. The word creates the faith that saves you, and this message ties into our hymn. Great stuff.

Seek where you may to find a way that leads to your salvation, but there is no salvation outside the word, outside of Christ. The first two phrases of the first two verses are defiant against universalism. Seek Christ in his word, and you will stay forever in his presence.

We are joined by guest accompanist Sam Mussmann of University Lutheran Church in Champaign, IL. Thanks for helping us out, Sam!

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Seek Where You May to Find a Way

1. Seek where you may
   To find a way
   That leads to your salvation.
   My heart is stilled,
   On Christ I build,
   He is the one foundation.
   His Word is sure,
   His works endure;
   He overthrows
   All evil foes;
   Through Him I more than conquer.
2. See whom you may
   To be your stay,
   Non can redeem his brother.
   All helpers failed;
   This man prevailed,
   The God-man and none other,
   Our Servant-King
   Of whom we sing.
   We’re justified
   Because He died,
   The guilty being guiltless.
3. Seek Him alone
   Who did atone,
   Who did your souls deliver.
   O seek Him first,
   All you who thirst
   For grace that fails you never.
   In ev’ry need
   Seek Him indeed;
   To ev’ry heart
   He will impart
   His blessings without measure.
4. My heart’s delight,
   My crown most bright,
   O Christ, my joy forever.
   Not wealth nor pride
   Nor fortune’s tide
   Our bonds of love shall sever.
   You are my Lord;
   Your precious Word
   Shall guide my way
   And help me stay
   Forever in Your presence.

Tell some people that God’s Law is the “ministry of death,” and they would be offended. Yet St. Paul does this in 2 Corinthians 3:7. Luther carries this thought into his first thesis of the Heidelberg Disputation:

The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance man on his way to righteousness, but rather hinders him.

Our sufficiency is from God, not from ourselves. If it were left to us, we would all go to Hell.

“Herod, why this senseless fear, indeed?” Your soul, not your throne, is at stake.

The Star Proclaims the King Is Here

1. The star proclaims the King is here;
   But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
   For He who offers heav’n-ly birth
   Seeks not the kingdoms of this earth.
2. The eastern sages saw from far
   And followed on His guiding star;
   And, led by light, to light they trod
   And by their gifts confessed their God.
3. Within the Jordan’s sacred flood
   The heav’n-ly Lamb in meekness stood
   That He, of whom no sin was known,
   Might cleanse His people from their own.
4. And oh, what miracle divine,
   When water reddened into wine!
   He spoke the word, and forth it flowed
   In streams that nature ne’er bestowed.
5. For this His glad epiphany
   All glory, Jesus, be to Thee,
   Whom with the Father we adore,
   And Holy Spirit evermore.

The Law is good, but it does not make alive. It is a guide for how we should live, but it does not save. It points out our sin and kills us, so that we may wholly trust in Christ for forgiveness and for inheritance into His kingdom.

Within the Father’s house, the Son has found his home. Christ fulfills the law on our behalf and takes the punishment that we deserve. The incarnate Word revealed himself to the Pharisees through the Word (Luke 4:17-21). That is where we find him today.

Chris Loemker again joins us on the organ.

Within the Father’s House

1. Within the Father’s house
   The Son has found His home,
   And to His temple suddenly
   The Lord of life has come.
2. The doctors of the Law
   Gaze on the wondrous child
   And marvel at His gracious words
   Of wisdom undefiled.
3. Yet not to them is giv’n
   The mighty truth to know,
   To lift the earthly veil that hides
   Incarnate God below.
4. The secret of the Lord
   Escapes each human eye,
   And faithful pond’ring hearts await
   The full epiphany.
5. Lord, visit Thou our souls
   And teach us by Thy grace
   Each dim revealing of Thyself
   With loving awe to trace.
6. Till we behold Thy face
   And know as we are known
   Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
   Coequal Three in One.

I Corinthians 15 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It separates fact from fable and reminds us that everything rests on the death and resurrection of the God-man, Jesus Christ. This wasn’t something written on golden disks or told to one single prophet by an angel. The risen Christ appeared to Peter, then James, then all the apostles, then over 500 other witnesses. And what is the big deal? This God-man takes our sin, our death, our flesh, and dies with it, the holy paying for the unholy, the Christ paying for the sins of the world, even those of Paul, who persecuted the Church.

The resurrection was real. It is something we can have faith in, an event that has everlasting consequences for you and me.

The People That in Darkness Sat

1. The people that in darkness sat
   A glorious light have seen;
   The light has shined on them who long
   In shades of death have been,
   In shades of death have been.
2. To hail Thee, Sun of Righteousness,
   The gath-’ring nations come;
   They joy as when the reapers bear
   Their harvest treasures home,
   Their harvest treasures home.
3. To us a Child of hope is born,
   To us a Son is giv’n,
   And on His shoulder ever rests
   All pow’r in earth and heav’n,
   All pow’r in earth and heav’n.
4. His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
   The Everlasting Lord,
   The Wonderful, the Counselor.
   The God by all adored,
   The God by all adored.
5. His righteous government and pow’r
   Shall over all extend;
   On judgment and on justice based,
   His reign shall have no end,
   His reign shall have no end.
6. Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray,
   And make us Thine alone,
   Who with the Father ever art
   And Holy Spirit, one,
   And Holy Spirit, one.

Israel has killed God’s prophets and demolished His altars, and yet God has not rejected his people. In order for Israel to see what it was missing, God gave the Gospel to the Gentiles as well.

Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest!

I’m still on the tail end of a cold, but the hymn turned out well anyway, thanks in no small part to the talents of our guest accompanist, Mr. Chris Loemker, Music Director of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL.

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

1. Songs of thankfulness and praise,
   Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
   Manifested by the star
   To the sages from afar,
   Branch of royal David’s stem
   In Thy birth at Bethlehem:
   Anthems be to Thee addressed,
   God in man made manifest.
2. Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
   Prophet Priest and King supreme;
   And at Cana wedding guest
   In Thy Godhead manifest;
   Manifest in pow’r divine,
   Changing water into wine;
   Anthems be to Thee addressed,
   God in man made manifest.
3. Manifest in making whole
   Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
   Manifest in valiant fight,
   Quelling all the devil’s might;
   Manifest in gracious will,
   Ever bringing good from ill;
   Anthems be to Thee addressed,
   God in man made manifest.
4. Sun and moon shall darkened be,
   Stars shall fall, the heav’ns shall flee;
   Christ will then like lightning shine,
   All ill see His glorious sign;
   All will then the trumpet hear,
   All will see the Judge appear;
   Thou by all wilt be confessed,
   God in man made manifest.
5. Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
   Present in Thy holy Word–
   Grace to imitate Thee now
   And be pure, as pure art Thou;
   That we might become like Thee
   At Thy great Epiphany
   And may praise Thee, ever blest,
   God in man made manifest.

I regret that Sam Mussman’s Time Out, scheduled for today, has to be postponed. After I got his accompaniment, my singing voice started sounding like garbage due to a cold. I hope to have him back in February.

Acts 1. The Ascension. At the end of the Christmas season. Hey, that’s just how we roll. Why do you stand looking to heaven? Jesus now comes where two or three are gathered in His name, in Baptism, in the Lord’s Supper, and in the Divine Service. The King of Kings now serves us, forgiving our sins, making us righteous before God, freeing us from that worry so that we can serve our neighbor.

That’s why we praise him at his birth.

© 2006 Concordia Publishing House; (sts. 2,4): © 1978 Concordia Publishing House
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth

1. We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth;
   Clothed in flesh You came to earth.
   The virgin bears a sinless boy
   And all the angels sing for joy.
   Alleluia!
2. Now in the manger we may see
   God’s Son from eternity,
   The gift from god’s eternal throne
   Here clothed in our poor flesh and bone.
   Alleluia!
3. The virgin Mary’s lullaby
   Calms the infant Lord Most High.
   Upon her lap content is He
   Who keeps the earth and sky and see.
   Alleluia!
4. The Light Eternal, breaking through,
   Made the world to gleam anew;
   His beams have pierced the core of night,
   He makes us children of the light.
   Alleluia!
5. The very Son of God sublime
   Entered into earthly time
   To lead us from this world of cares
   To heaven’s courts as blessed heirs.
   Alleluia!
6. In poverty He came to earth
   Shwoing mercy by His birth;
   He makes us rich in heav’nly ways
   As we, like angels, sing His praise.
   Alleluia!
7. All this for us our God has done
   Granting love through His own Son.
   Therefore, all Christendom, rejoice
   And sing His praise with endless voice.
   Alleluia!

Merry Christmas!

We wrap up John with the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus has already amazed the disciples, but still more amazing things are coming — like a death and resurrection!

The Overtime is all Christmas carols. “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” is from 2010, and “All My Heart Again Rejoices” is from 2009. We finish with a carol from Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL. The video can be found on Vimeo.

“What Child is This,” can also be seen on YouTube. Please share it with your family and friends!

393: Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Now Sing We, Now Rejoice

1. Now sing we, now rejoice,
   Now raise to heaven our voice;
   He from whom joy streameth
   Poor in a manger lies;
   Not so brightly beameth
   The sun in yonder skies.
   Thou my Savior art!
   Thou my Savior art!
2. Come from on high to me;
   I cannot rise to Thee
   Cheer my wearied spirit,
   O pure and holy Child;
   Through Thy grace and merit,
   Blest Jesus, Lord most mild,
   Draw me unto Thee!
   Draw me unto Thee!
3. Now through His Son doth shine
   The Father’s grace divine.
   Death o’er us had reigned
   Through sin and vanity;
   He for us obtained
   Eternal joy on high.
   May we praise Him there!
   May we praise Him there!
4. Oh, where shall joy be found?
   Where but on heavenly ground?
   Where the angels singing
   With all His saints unite,
   Sweetest praises bringing
   In heavenly joy and light.
   Oh, that we were there!
   Oh, that we were there!

What Child is This

1. What child is this who, laid to rest,
   On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
   Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
   While shepherds watch are keeping?
   This, this is Christ the King,
   Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
   Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
   The babe, the son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate
   Where ox and ass are feeding?
   Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
   The silent Word is pleading.
   Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
   The cross be borne for me, for you.
   Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
   The babe, the son of Mary.
3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
   Come peasant, king to own Him.
   The King of kings salvation brings;
   Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
   Raise, raise the song on high,
   The virgin sings her lullaby;
   Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
   The babe, the son of Mary.

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

1. Infant holy,
   Infant lowly,
   For His bed a cattle stall;
   Oxen lowing,
   Little knowing
   Christ the child is Lord of all.
   Swiftly winging,
   Angels singing,
   Bells are ringing,
   Tidings bringing:
   Christ the child is Lord of all!
   Christ the child is Lord of all!
2. Flocks were sleeping,
   Shepherds keeping
   Vigil till the morning new
   Saw the glory,
   Heard the story,
   Tidings of a Gospel true.
   Thus rejoicing,
   Free from sorrow,
   Praises voicing,
   Greet the morrow:
   Christ the child was born for you!
   Christ the child was born for you!

All My Heart Again Rejoices

1. All my heart again rejoices
   As I hear Far and near
   Sweetest angel voices.
   “Christ is born,” their choirs are singing
   Till the air Everywhere
   Now with joy is ringing.
2. Hear the Conqueror has spoken,
   Now the foe, Sin and woe,
   Death and hell are broken.
   God is man, man to deliver;
   And the Son Now is one
   With our blood forever.
3. Should we fear our God’s displeasure,
   Who, to save, Freely gave
   His most precious Treasure?
   To redeem us He has given
   His own Son From the throne
   Of His might in heaven.
4. See the Lamb, our sin once taking
   To the cross, Suff’ring loss,
   Full atonement making.
   For our life His own He tenders,
   And His grace All our race
   Fit for glory renders.
5. Softly from His lowly manger
   Jesus calls One and all,
   “You are safe from danger.
   Children, from the sins that grieve you
   You are freed; All you need
   I will surely give you.”
6. Come, then, banish all your sadness,
   One and all, Great and small;
   Come with songs of gladness.
   We shall live with Him forever
   There on high, In that joy
   Which can vanish never.

O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.

Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Our second episode of three in John 1 covers the testimony of John the Baptist. Always pointing to the Messiah; what an example.

O King of the Nations

O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people:

Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Guest vocalist Michele Bunyon, who attends Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH, joins us on the hymn. Come, Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
   And ransom captive Israel
   That mourns in lonely exile here
   Until the Son of God appear.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to thee, O Israel!
2. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
   Who ord’rest all things mightily;
   To us the path of knowledge show,
   And teach us in her ways to go.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to you, O Israel!
3. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
   Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
   In ancient times didst give the law,
   In cloud and majesty and awe.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to you, O Israel!
4. O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
   Free them from Satan’s tyranny
   That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
   And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to thee, O Israel!
5. O come, Thou Key of David, come
   And open wide our heav’nly home:
   Make safe the way that leads on high
   And close the path to misery.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to thee, O Israel!
6. O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
   And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
   Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
   And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to thee, O Israel!
7. O come, Desire of nations, bind
   In one the hearts of all mankind;
   Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
   And be Thyself our King of Peace.
   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
   Shall come to you, O Israel!

O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting:

Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open:

Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage:

Come quickly to deliver us.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai:

Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Kantor Beethe, Time Out’s regular accompanist and director of parish music at Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR, will chant each of these. The words come from the “O” Antiphons listed at the end of LSB Hymn 357, and the psalm tone comes from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Psalm tone used with permission.

The other “O” Antiphons will appear here over the next six days.

O Wisdom

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Dr. Kretzmann has a wealth of commentary regarding John 1, so Episodes 148-150 will be devoted to John 1. There is so much Christology that it’s worth slowing down and taking in chunks.

“Comfort, comfort, ye my people”…or as we could phrase it today: you, who are my people, be comforted. We see very little in this life but sin at our door and the devil lying in wait seeking to devour us.

Do not despair. Repent, and believe the Gospel. Confess your sin, and be absolved. His Word is never broken.

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

1. Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
   Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
   “Comfort those who sit in darkness,
   Mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.
   Speak ye to Jerusalem
   Of the peace that waits for them;
   Tell her that her sins I cover
   And her warfare now is over.”
2. Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
   Blotting out each dark misdeed;
   All that well deserved His anger
   He no more will see or heed.
   She hath suffered many a day,
   Now her griefs have passed away;
   God will change her pining sadness
   Into ever-springing gladness.
3. Hark, the herald’s voice is crying
   In the desert far and near,
   Calling sinners to repentance
   Since the Kingdom now is here.
   Oh, that warning cry obey!
   Now prepare for God a way;
   Let the valleys rise to meet Him
   And the hills bow down to greet Him.
4. Make ye straight what long was crooked,
   Make the rougher places plain;
   Let your hearts be true and humble,
   As befits His holy reign.
   For the glory of the Lord
   Now o’er earth is shed abroad,
   And all flesh shall see the token
   That His Word is never broken.

Luke 1 finishes with the Song of Zechariah, a prophecy to the son of Zechariah, John the Baptist. The setting of this text in the LSB Matins service is quite beautiful.

The last time we played 344, Iggy commented:

It’s an interesting progression between Stanzas 3 and 4. We go from “Like flow’rs that wither and decay” to “Till beauty springs in ev’ry place.”

Without Christ, we are Stanza 3.
Because of Christ, we are Stanza 4!

Can we say “now / not yet?”

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

1. On Jordan’s bank the baptist’s cry
   Announces that the Lord is nigh;
   Awake and hearken, for he brings
   Glad tidings of the King of kings!
2. Then cleansed by every life from sin;
   Make straight the way for God within,
   And let us all our hearts prepare
   For Christ to come and enter there.
3. We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord,
   Our refuge and our great reward;
   Without Thy grace we waste away
   Like flow’rs that wither and decay.
4. Lay on the sick Thy healing hand
   And make the fallen strong to stand;
   Show us the glory of Thy face
   Till beauty springs in ev-’ry place.
5. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
   Whose advent sets Thy people free,
   Whom with the Father we adore
   And Holy Spirit evermore.

The first chapter of Luke is so long that it needed to be broken up into two episodes. We will conclude Luke 1 next week.

“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Contrast this with Zechariah’s doubt. The Word of the Lord gives life; it can be trusted, even when we don’t see how. Let His salvation be done to us as God has commanded.

333 is one of my favorite Advent hymns, and the tune is very versatile: it almost asks to be played by a symphony with some trumpet overtones. I also like the reference to the Lord’s Supper in verse 2: “With Himself He feeds us.” Brilliant.

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Once He Came in Blessing

1. Once He came in blessing,
   All our sins redressing;
   Came in likeness lowly,
   Son of God most holy;
   Bore the cross to save us;
   Hope and freedom gave us.
2. Now He gently leads us;
   With Himself He feeds us
   Precious food from heaven,
   Pledge of peace here given,
   Manna that will nourish
   Souls that they may flourish.
3. Soon will come that hour
   When with mighty power
   Christ will come in splendor
   And will judgment render,
   With the faithful sharing
   Joy beyond comparing.
4. Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
   From our sins release us.
   Keep our hearts believing,
   That we, grace receiving,
   Ever may confess You
   Till in heav’n we bless You.

Guests: Anna Baseley and Cantor Jake Weber.

There’s no Christmas for Mark. He fast-forwards to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Now.

The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns

1. The Head that once was crowned with thorns
   Is crowned with glory now;
   A royal diadem adorns
   The mighty Victor’s brow.
2. The highest place that heav’n affords
   Is His, is His by right;
   The King of kings and Lord of lords,
   And heav’n’s eternal Light;
3. The Joy of all who dwell above,
   The Joy of all below,
   To whom He manifests His love,
   And grants His Name to know.
4. To them the cross with all its shame,
   With all its grace, is giv’n;
   Their name an everlasting name,
   Their joy the joy of heav’n.
5. They suffer with their Lord below;
   They reign with Him above;
   Their profit and their joy to know
   The myst’ry of His love.
6. The cross He bore is life and health,
   Though shame and death to Him,
   His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
   Their everlasting theme.

The pronunciation of the names in Matthew 1 were verified at netministries.org. If there’s a better source, I’d appreciate it.

Matthew 1 does have a lot of names, but one of the things that the list drives home is that the Christian (and Old Testament Judaism) faith is one set in history. Our faith wasn’t an attempt to explain or describe the universe. It starts and ends with Christ, prophesied from the beginning and fulfilled in real time.

The story of the Nativity is good, too.

512, “At the Name of Jesus,” is one of the first hymns Cantor Beethe and I did together. The vocals have been reworked, with two years of lessons learned the hard way. It’s a cool hymn with Law and Gospel, resolve and hope.

At the Name of Jesus

1. At the Name of Jesus,
   Every knee shall bow,
   Ev’ry tongue confess Him
   King of glory now.
   ’Tis the Father’s pleasure
   We should call Him Lord,
   Who from the beginning
   Was the mighty Word.
2. At His voice creation
   Sprang at once to sight,
   All the angel faces,
   All the hosts of light,
   Thrones and bright dominions,
   Stars upon their way,
   All the heav’nly orders
   In their great array.
3. Humbled for a season,
   To receive a name
   From the lips of sinners
   Unto whom He came,
   Faithfully He bore it
   Spotless to the last,
   Brought it back victorious
   When from death He passed.
4. Bore it up triumphant
   With its human light,
   Through all ranks of creatures,
   To the central height,
   To the throne of Godhead,
   To the Father’s breast,
   Filled it with the glory
   Of that perfect rest.
5. In your hearts enthrone Him;
   There let Him subdue
   All that is not holy,
   All that is not true:
   Crown Him as your Captain
   In temptation’s hour;
   Let His will enfold you
   In its light and power.
6. Christians, this Lord Jesus
   Shall return again,
   In His Father’s glory,
   With His angel train;
   For all wreaths of empire
   Meet upon His brow,
   And our hearts confess Him
   King of glory now.
7. Glory then to Jesus,
   Who, the Prince of light,
   To a world in darkness
   Brought the gift of sight;
   Praise to God the Father;
   In the Spirit’s love
   Praise we all together
   Him who reigns above.

We wrap up our second pass through the Old Testament with Zechariah 8, a wonderful prophecy of peace and of God’s return to his remnant.

Words and lyrics for the “King of Chorales” can be found in the supplement for Episode 41. The vocals have been re-recorded, something I like to do for hymns that we recorded before Episode 83. With perhaps an exception where my voice dried up, I think the rework turned out well.

Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near! Everyone will hear the Gospel, and those that believe shall be saved.

585 is a hymn of humility, praying for those things that we can’t possibly do ourselves. Let us keep the Word and never dim it. Let it unify the church.

Text: © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide

1. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
   For round us falls the eventide.
   O let Your Word, that saving light,
   Shine forth undimmed into the night.
2. In these last days of great distress
   Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
   That we keep pure till life is spent
   Your holy Word and Sacrament.
3. To hope grown dim, to hearts turned cold
   Speak tongues of fire and make us bold
   To shine Your Word of saving grace
   Into each dark and loveless place.
4. May glorious truths that we have heard,
   The bright sword of Your mighty Word,
   Spur Satan that Your Church be strong,
   Bold, unified in act and song.
5. Restrain, O Lord, the human pride
   That seeks to thrust Your truth aside
   Or with some man-made thoughts or things
   Would dim the words Your Spirit sings.
6. Stay with us, Lord, and keep us true;
   Preserve our faith our whole life through—
   Your Word alone our heart’s defense,
   The Church’s glorious confidence.

Hosea 2 is a little not-safe-for-work-ish in its description of unfaithful Israel. God promises to cut her off from those who take credit for what God has given her, and then he will betroth her to himself. Those who have not received mercy will receive mercy, and those who weren’t His people will be. This is all accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Thy Strong Word,” is one of Martin Franzmann’s more famous tunes, and Cantor Weber makes this one fly. I particularly like the justification language in verse 3: God bespeaks us righteous, and it is so. Verse 5 is also an acknowledgement that our ability to praise comes first from Him.

Thanks to Anna Baseley and Cantor Jake Weber for their performances on this hymn, and thanks to John Baseley for recording and mixing.

Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Thy Strong Word

1. Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
   At Thy speaking it was done.
   For created light we thank Thee,
   While Thine ordered seasons run.
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Praise to Thee who light dost send!
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Alleluia without end!
2. Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
   Dark as night as deep as death,
   Broke the light of Thy salvation,
   Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath.
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Praise to Thee who light dost send!
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Alleluia without end!
3. Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous;
   Bright with Thine own holiness,
   Glorious now, we press toward glory,
   And our lives our hopes confess.
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Praise to Thee who light dost send!
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Alleluia without end!
4. From the cross Thy wisdom shining
   Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might;
   From the cross forever beameth
   All thy bright redeeming light.
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Praise to Thee who light dost send!
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   Alleluia without end!
5. Give us lips to sing Thy glory,
   Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
   Throats that shout the hopes that fills us,
   Mouths to speak Thy holy name.
   Alleluia, alleluia!
   May the light which Thou dost send
   Fill our songs with alleluias,
   Alleluias without end!
6. God the Father, light-creator,
   To Thee laud and honor be.
   To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
   Praise be sung eternally.
   Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
   Glory, glory be to Thee.
   Mortals, angels, now and ever
   Praise the holy Trinity!

Righteousness belongs to God, so he is the one to whom we repent and the one who makes us right on His terms. Like the Israelites, we ask him to turn his wrath not because of anything we have done, but we are counting on Him, trusting in Him to be merciful.

The pew edition of LSB 940 doesn’t have all seven stanzas of this versification of the Te Deum laudamus, but we have them for you here. Anna Baseley and Cantor Jake Weber perform; enjoy!

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

1. Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
   Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
   All on earth Thy scepter claim,
   All in heav’n above adore Thee.
   Infinite Thy vast domain,
   Everlasting is Thy reign.
2. Hark! The loud celestial hymn
   Angel choirs above are raising,
   Cherubim and seraphim,
   In unceasing chorus praising;
   Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
   Holy, holy, holy, Lord!
3. Lo! The apostles’ holy train
   Join Thy sacred name to hallow;
   Prophets swell the loud refrain,
   And the white robed martyrs follow;
   And from morn to set of sun
   Through the Church the song goes on.
4. Thou art King of glory, Christ;
   Son of God, yet born of Mary.
   For us sinners sacrificed,
   As to death a Tributary,
   First to break the bars of death,
   Thou has opened heav’n to faith.
5. From Thy high celestial home,
   Judge of all, again returning,
   We believe that Thou shalt come
   On that final judgment morning;
   When Thy voice shall shake the earth,
   And the startled dead come forth.
6. Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray,
   By a thousand snares surrounded;
   Keep us without sin today,
   Never let us be confounded.
   Lo, I put my trust in Thee;
   Never, Lord, abandon me.
7. Holy Father, Holy Son,
   Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
   Though in essence only One,
   Undivided God we claim Thee;
   And adoring bend the knee
   While we own the mystery.

With leaders like these, who needs enemies? As in last week’s episode, Israel was lead astray by its religious leaders, and the shepherds weren’t even guarding the sheep. Nobody is going to save Israel and the church but God alone.

This message ties in well with Hymn 754, “Entrust Your Days and Burdens.” Professor Stephen R. Johnson took a Paul Gerhardt text and wrote his own tune for it. It’s not particularly Trinitarian, but it is always good to trust in God rather than princes, televangelists, and vision casters.

Text (sts. 1-5): © 1982 Concordia Publishing House; (st. 6): © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Music: © 2002 Stephen R. Johnson. Used with permission.
All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

Entrust Your Days and Burdens

1. Entrust your days and burdens
   To God’s most loving hand;
   He cares for you while ruling
   The sky, the sea, the land.
   For He who guides the tempests
   Along their thund’rous ways
   Will find for you a pathway
   And guide you all your days.
2. Rely on God your Savior
   And find your life secure.
   Make His work your foundation
   That your work may endure.
   No anxious thought, no worry,
   No self-tormenting care
   Can win your Father’s favor;
   His heart is moved by prayer.
3. Take heart, have hope, my spirit,
   And do not be dismayed;
   God helps in ev’ry trial
   And makes you unafraid.
   Await His time with patience
   Through darkest hours of night
   Until the sun you hoped for
   Delights your eager sight.
4. Leave all to His direction;
   His wisdom rules for you
   In ways to rouse your wonder
   At all His love can do.
   Soon He, His promise keeping,
   With wonder-working pow’rs
   Will banish from your spirit
   What gave you troubled hours.
5. O blessèd heir of heaven,
   You’ll hear the song resound
   Of endless jubilation
   When you with life are crowned.
   In your right hand your maker
   Will place the victor’s palm,
   And you will thank Him gladly
   With heaven’s joyful psalm.
6. Our hands and feet, Lord, strengthen;
   With joy our spirits bless
   Until we see the ending
   Of all our life’s distress.
   And so throughout our lifetime
   Keep us within Your care
   And at our end then bring us
   To heav’n to praise You there.

Two good things going on in Jeremiah 23: The Lord will raise up a Righteous Branch in whose days Judah will be saved, and a blistering warning from the Lord about prophets speaking visions of their own minds and ascribing them to the Lord.

544 came to us as the Hymn of the Day for October 2. It’s a hymn soaked in Gospel and set to a great true, emphasizing everything Christ went through in order to purchase our redemption. Thanks be to God, that we can be counted as sons and daughters of the Most High!

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

O Love, How Deep

1. O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
   Beyond all thought and fantasy,
   That God, the Son of God, should take
   Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!
2. He sent no angel to our race,
   Of higher or lower place,
   But wore the robe of human frame,
   And to this world Himself He came.
3. For us baptized, for us He bore
   His holy fast and hungered sore;
   For us temptation sharp He knew;
   For us the tempter overthrew.
4. For us He prayed; for us He taught;
   For us His daily works He wrought,
   By words and signs and actions thus
   Still seeking not Himself but us.
5. For us by wickedness betrayed,
   For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
   He bore the shameful cross and death;
   For us He gave His dying breath.
6. For us He rose from death again;
   For us He went on high to reign;
   For us He sent His Spirit here
   To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
7. All glory to our Lord and God
   For love so deep, so high, so broad;
   The trinity whom we adore
   Forever and forevermore.

Our last chapter in the Isaiah series warns Israel and us about the coming final judgement. The glory of the Lord is not something the sinful man wants to see: anger, fire, rebuke, sword, slaying, and whirlwind, and their ceremonies cannot save them. Only the Son of God, human so that he could take our place, divine so that he could bear all of this judgement, saves us from the coming doom and makes us God’s people.

We don’t hear LSB 614 all that often; I’m willing to bet four flats worry some accompanists. The lyrics in this hymn are its own sermon. God does not want us damned but repentant. He gives us His absolution as ultimate assurance that we are his.

“As Surely as I Live,” God Said

1. “As surely as I live,” God said,
   “I would not see the sinner dead.
   I want him turned from error’s ways,
   Repentant, living endless days.”
2. And so our Lord gave this command:
   “Go forth and preach in ev’ry land;
   Bestow on all My pard’ning grace
   Who will repent and mend their ways.
3. “All those whose sins you thus remit
   I truly pardon and acquit,
   And those whose sins you will retain
   Condemned and guilty shall remain.
4. “What you will bind, that bound shall be;
   What you will loose, that shall be free;
   To My dear Church the keys are giv’n
   To open, close the gates of heav’n.”
5. The words which absolution give
   Are His who died that we might live;
   The minister whom Christ has sent
   Is but His humble instrument.
6. When ministers lay on their hands,
   Absolved by Christ the sinner stands
   He who by grace the Word believes
   The purchase of His blood receives.
7. All praise to You, O Christ, shall be
   For absolution full and free,
   In which You show Your richest grace;
   From false indulgence guard our race.
8. Praise God the Father and the Son
   And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
   As was, is now, and so shall be
   World without end, eternally!

The holy comes to annihilate the unholy; naturally, we’re the unholy! This is a scary thing, were it not for Christ’s own purchase of us. Dr. Paul E. Kretzmann has a gem at the end of his commentary:

One of the most effective forms of praying is that of taking the Lord aside, as it were, and reminding Him of His promises, to hold Him to His Word.

Anna Baseley and Cantor Jake Weber perform our hymn this week. The text with the melody is a bit tricky; I appreciate their work with this hymn. Note the final prayer; it’s a good one.

Text: © 1982 Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord

1. How clear is our vocation, Lord,
   When once we heed Your call:
   To live according to Your Word
   And daily learn, refreshed, restored,
   That You are Lord of all
   And will not let us fall.
2. But if, forgetful, we should find
   Your yoke is hard to bear;
   If worldly pressures fray the mind,
   And love itself cannot unwind
   Its tangled skein of care:
   Our inward life repair.
3. We marvel how Your saints become
   In hindrances more sure;
   Whose joyful virtues put to shame
   The casual way we wear Your name
   And by our faults obscure
   Your pow’r to cleanse and cure.
4. In what You give us, Lord, to do
   Together or alone,
   In old routines or ventures new,
   May we not cease to look to You,
   The cross You hung upon–
   All You endeavored done.

It is nearly impossible to read the beginning of Isaiah 61 without thinking of Luke 4 — where Jesus Christ, in the temple, lay claim to the title of Messiah in front of those in the synagogue at Nazareth. We are the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed, and the Anointed One has come to set us free. The year of Jubilee happens every seven years, but the year of Christ’s Jubilee lasts forever.

I have been blessed with twin girls that love to sing, and hymns, no less. I hope you enjoy this hymn as much we enjoyed making it. I love how strong this hymn is: a creed that happens to have a tune.

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

We All Believe in One True God

1. We all believe in one true God,
   Who created earth and heaven,
   The Father, who to us in love
   Has the right of children given.
   He in soul and body feeds us;
   All we need His hand provides us;
   Through all snares and perils leads us,
   Watching that no harm betide us.
   He cares for us by day and night,
   All things are governed by His might.
2. We all believe in Jesus Christ,
   His own Son, our Lord, possessing
   An equal Godhead, throne, and might,
   Source of every grace and blessing.
   Born of Mary, virgin mother,
   By the power of the Spirit,
   Word made flesh, our elder brother,
   That the lost might life inherit.
   Was crucified for all our sin
   And raised by God to life again.
3. We all confess the Holy Ghost,
   Who, in highest heaven dwelling
   With God the Father and the Son,
   Comforts us beyond all telling;
   Who the Church, His own creation,
   Keeps in unity of spirit.
   Here forgiveness and salvation
   Daily come through Jesus’ merit.
   All flesh shall rise, and we shall be
   In bliss with God eternally.
   Amen, amen.

The Lord’s chosen Servant brings justice to the nations, by opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, by freeing those who sit locked in darkness, by living the life without sin and dying on the cross in our place. Even still, Israel and the heathen do not see.

The hymn begins as if it were about me and what I’m doing, but starting with “Who makes you full partaker…” it goes into what God has done for us. Praise Him forever reigning, all you who hear His Word!

Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker

1. My soul, now praise your Maker!
   Let all within me bless His name
   Who makes you full partaker
   Of mercies more than you dare claim.
   Forget Him not whose meekness
   Still bears with all your sin,
   Who heals your ev’ry weakness,
   Renews your life within;
   Whose grace and care are endless
   And saved you through the past;
   Who leaves no suff’rer friendless
   But rights the wronged at last.
2. He offers all His treasure
   Of justice, truth, and righteousness,
   His love beyond all measure,
   His yearning pity o’er distress;
   Nor treats us as we merit
   But sets His anger by.
   The poor and contrite spirit
   Finds His compassion nigh;
   And high as heav’n above us,
   As dawn from close of day,
   So far, since He has loved us,
   He puts our sins away.
3. For as a tender father
   Has pity on His children here,
   God in His arms will gather
   All who are His in childlike fear.
   He knows how frail our powers,
   Who but from dust are made.
   We flourish like the flowers,
   And even so we fade;
   The wind but through them passes,
   And all their bloom is o’er.
   We wither like the grasses;
   Our place knows us no more.
4. His grace remains forever,
   And children’s children yet shall prove
   That God forsakes them never
   Who in true fear shall seek His love.
   In heav’n is fixed His dwelling,
   His rule is over all;
   O hosts with might excelling,
   With praise before Him fall.
   Praise Him forever reigning,
   All you who hear His Word—
   Our life and all sustaining.
   My soul, O praise the Lord!

We begin several weeks of Isaiah with chapter 9, filled with Messianic prophecy and civil war. Three times Isaiah notes, “For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.” Some people argue that a loving God wouldn’t send people to Hell. Well, would you keep these warring factions around in Heaven without atoning for them?

656 is one of those hymns that Cantor Beethe and I have reservations on doing, since there are other accompanists and vocalists who have already done a better job. We got some help this time, from Molly Leithart.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
   A trusty shield and weapon;
   He helps us free from ev’ry need
   That hath us now o’ertaken.
   The old evil foe
   Now means deadly woe;
   Deep guile and great might
   Are his dread arms in fight;
   On earth is not his equal.
2. With might of ours can naught be done,
   Soon were our loss effected;
   But for us fights the valiant One,
   Whom God Himself elected.
   Ask ye, who is this?
   Jesus Christ it is,
   Of Sabaoth Lord,
   And there’s none other God;
   He holds the field forever.
3. Though devils all the world should fill,
   All eager to devour us,
   We tremble not, we fear no ill,
   They shall not overpow’r us.
   This world’s prince may still
   Scowl fierce as he will,
   He can harm us none.
   He’s judged; the deed is done;
   One little word can fell him.
4. The Word they still shall let remain
   Nor any thanks have for it;
   He’s by our side upon the plain
   With His good gifts and Spirit.
   And take they our life,
   Goods, fame, child and wife,
   Though these all be gone,
   Our vict’ry has been won;
   The Kingdom ours remaineth.

The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth. Thanks be to God who gives us this truth and gives us the words to recount his mighty deeds. He preserves all who love Him on account of the Son’s death and resurrection, but all the wicked he will destroy. He’s good but not safe.

645 is one of our most popular hymns, and we have a new guest vocalist: Claire Hulsether, also from Zion-Columbus. It was a nice opportunity to explore some of the harmony in the hymn.

Built on the Rock

1. Built on the Rock the Church shall stand
   Even when steeples are falling.
   Crumbled have spires in ev’ry land;
   Bells still are chiming and calling.
   Calling the young and old to rest,
   But above all the souls distressed,
   Longing for rest everlasting.
2. Surely in temples made with hands
   God, the Most High, is not dwelling;
   High above earth His temple stands,
   All earthly temples excelling.
   Yet He who dwells in heav’n above
   Chooses to live with us in love,
   Making our bodies His temple.
3. We are God’s house of living stones,
   Built for His own habitation.
   He through baptismal grace us owns
   Heirs of His wondrous salvation.
   Were we but two His name to tell,
   Yet He would deign with us to dwell
   With all His grace and his favor.
4. Here stands the font before our eyes,
   Telling how God has received us.
   The altar recalls Christ’s sacrifice
   And what His Supper here gives us.
   Here sound the Scriptures that proclaim
   Christ yesterday, today, the same,
   And evermore, our Redeemer.
5. Grant, then O God, Your will be done,
   That, when the church bells are ringing,
   Many in saving faith may come
   Where Christ His message is bringing:
   “I know My own; My own know Me.
   You, not the world, My face shall see.
   My peace I leave with you. Amen.”

The Lord will execute judgment among the heathen nations, filling them with corpses, shattering chiefs over the wide earth. He does this with his own death, shattering Satan’s ability to accuse and demand that God’s creation burn in Hell with Satan. The state of our unfaithfulness is covered and broken by Christ’s substitution in our place.

Good gospel in the hymn today: He breaks the power of canceled sin, setting the prisoner free — His blood avails for me. Not a qualifying adverb in the house. Mark Fergues joins us on a hymn he requested.

Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

1. Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
   My great Redeemer’s praise,
   The glories of my God and King,
   The triumphs of His grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God,
   Assist me to proclaim,
   To spread through all the eart abroad,
   The honors of Thy name.
3. Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
   That bids our sorrows cease;
   ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
   ‘Tis life and health and peace.
4. He breaks the pow’r of cancelled sin;
   He sets the pris’ner free.
   His blood can make the foulest clean;
   His blood avails for me.
5. Look unto Him, ye nations; own
   Your God, ye fallen race.
   Look and be saved through faith alone,
   Be justified by grace.
6. See all your sins on Jesus laid;
   The Lamb of God was slain.
   His soul was once an off’ring made
   For ev’ry soul of man.
7. To God all glory, praise, and love
   Be now and ever giv’n
   By saints below and saints above,
   The church in earth and heav’n.
   ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-131/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 110 Hymn: 528, Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 110 Bonus Bumper: Schütz, Psalm 110, Les Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse The Lord will execute judgment among the heathen nations, filling them with corpses, shattering chiefs over the wide earth. He does this with his own death, shattering Satan’s ability to accuse and demand that God’s creation burn in Hell with Satan. The state of our unfaithfulness is covered and broken by Christ’s substitution in our place. Good gospel in the hymn today: He breaks the power of canceled sin, setting the prisoner free — His blood avails for me. Not a qualifying adverb in the house. Mark Fergues joins us on a hymn he requested. Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the eart abroad, The honors of Thy name. Jesus! The name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘Tis life and health and peace. He breaks the pow’r of cancelled sin; He sets the pris’ner free. His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood avails for me. Look unto Him, ye nations; own Your God, ye fallen race. Look and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace. See all your sins on Jesus laid; The Lamb of God was slain. His soul was once an off’ring made For ev’ry soul of man. To God all glory, praise, and love Be now and ever giv’n By saints below and saints above, The church in earth and heav’n. Text: Psalm 110. Hymn: 528. Guest: Mark Fergus 10:37 http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-130/ http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-130/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:15:16 +0000 Dan http://lutherantimeout.org/?p=5102 Text: Psalm 89
   Hymn: 717, Eternal Father, Strong to Save (1, 2*, 3*, 4)
   Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 89
   Bonus Bumper: St. Peter’s Basilica, Psalm 89

   The first 37 verses, high praises to God; 13 out of the last 14, the wrath against the Anointed. Holy and righteous is God, and for us to have any part of that, our sins must be completely atoned for. He is cast off and rejected, plundered, short-lived, all that we may be His own.

   We were following the 3-year lectionary when we chose 717, and I chose the Navy Hymn verses because we didn’t have the copyright for verses 2 and 3. We hope that anyone affected by the attack our Navy SEALs as well as anyone with ties to the military take comfort in this hymn and pray for those who remain in peril.

   
   
   

   Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Navy Hymn)

   1. Eternal Father, strong to save,
      Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
      Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
      Its own appointed limits keep:
      O hear us when we cry to Thee
      For those in peril on the sea.
   2. O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
      And hushed their raging at They word,
      Who walkedst on the foaming deep
      And calm amid its rage didst sleep:
      O hear us when we cry to Thee
      For those in peril on the sea.
   3. Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood
      Upon the chaos dark and rude,
      And bid its angry tumult cease,
      And give, for wild confusion, peace:
      O hear us when we cry to Thee
      For those in peril on the sea.
   4. O Trinity of love and pow’r,
      Our people shield in danger’s hour;
      From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
      Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
      Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
      Glad praise from air and land and sea.
   ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-130/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 89 Hymn: 717, Eternal Father, Strong to Save (1, 2*, 3*, 4) Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 89 Bonus Bumper: St. Peter’s Basilica, Psalm 89 The first 37 verses, high praises to God; 13 out of the last 14, the wrath against the Anointed. Holy and righteous is God, and for us to have any part of that, our sins must be completely atoned for. He is cast off and rejected, plundered, short-lived, all that we may be His own. We were following the 3-year lectionary when we chose 717, and I chose the Navy Hymn verses because we didn’t have the copyright for verses 2 and 3. We hope that anyone affected by the attack our Navy SEALs as well as anyone with ties to the military take comfort in this hymn and pray for those who remain in peril. Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Navy Hymn) Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Christ, whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at They word, Who walkedst on the foaming deep And calm amid its rage didst sleep: O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace: O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Trinity of love and pow’r, Our people shield in danger’s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe’er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad praise from air and land and sea. Text: Psalm 89. Hymn: 717 (alternate verses 2 and 3). 15:54 http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-129/ http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-129/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:15:07 +0000 Dan http://lutherantimeout.org/?p=5095 Text: Psalm 72
   Hymn: 642, O Living Bread from Heaven
   Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 72
   Bonus Bumper: Nederland Zingt, “Zijn Naam moet eeuwig eer ontvangen”

   “He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.” Our God is a god of mercy and forgiveness, calling our helpless selves to salvation. Precious is our blood in his sight, and he redeems our blood with the blood of Christ.

   It’s not often we get a Praetorius tune outside of the Christmas season, but here it is! This hymn is about the Lord’s Supper, the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation that is found in, with, and under the bread/body and the wine/blood. “This food can death destroy,” something no mere symbol can accomplish.

   
   Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

   
   

   O Living Bread from Heaven

   1. O living Bread from heaven,
      How well You feed Your guest!
      The gifts that You have given
      Have filled my heart with rest.
      Oh, wondrous food of blessing,
      Oh, cup that heals our woes!
      My heart, this gift possessing,
      With praises overflows.
   2. My Lord, You here have led me
      To this most holy place
      And with Yourself have fed me
      With treasures of Your grace;
      For You have freely given
      What earth could never buy,
      The bread of life from heaven,
      That now I shall not die.
   3. You gave me all I wanted;
      This food can death destroy.
      And You have freely granted
      The cup of endless joy.
      My Lord, I do not merit
      The favor You have shown,
      And all my soul and spirit
      Bow down before Your throne.
   4. Lord, grant me then, thus strengthened
      With heav’nly food, while here
      My course on earth is lengthened,
      To serve with holy fear.
      And when You call my spirit
      To leave this world below,
      I enter, through Your merit,
      Where joys unmingled flow.
   ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/08/time-out-episode-129/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 72 Hymn: 642, O Living Bread from Heaven Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 72 Bonus Bumper: Nederland Zingt, “Zijn Naam moet eeuwig eer ontvangen” “He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.” Our God is a god of mercy and forgiveness, calling our helpless selves to salvation. Precious is our blood in his sight, and he redeems our blood with the blood of Christ. It’s not often we get a Praetorius tune outside of the Christmas season, but here it is! This hymn is about the Lord’s Supper, the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation that is found in, with, and under the bread/body and the wine/blood. “This food can death destroy,” something no mere symbol can accomplish. Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. O Living Bread from Heaven O living Bread from heaven, How well You feed Your guest! The gifts that You have given Have filled my heart with rest. Oh, wondrous food of blessing, Oh, cup that heals our woes! My heart, this gift possessing, With praises overflows. My Lord, You here have led me To this most holy place And with Yourself have fed me With treasures of Your grace; For You have freely given What earth could never buy, The bread of life from heaven, That now I shall not die. You gave me all I wanted; This food can death destroy. And You have freely granted The cup of endless joy. My Lord, I do not merit The favor You have shown, And all my soul and spirit Bow down before Your throne. Lord, grant me then, thus strengthened With heav’nly food, while here My course on earth is lengthened, To serve with holy fear. And when You call my spirit To leave this world below, I enter, through Your merit, Where joys unmingled flow. Text: Psalm 72. Hymn: 642. 13:27 http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-128/ http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-128/#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:15:57 +0000 Dan http://lutherantimeout.org/?p=5092 Text: Psalm 69
   Hymn: 556, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice, vv. 6-10
   Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 69
   Bonus Bumper: Soundtrack of Jesus of Nazareth, “Jerusalem”

   “What I did not steal, must I now restore?” The Messiah restores you and me through his vicarious substitutionary atonement, which we read a good deal about in Psalm 69.

   “The Son obeyed His Father’s will.” Not because God the Father is an abusive dad, but because our sin is completely incompatible with God’s holiness. Total damage had to be repaired. Debt had to be repaid. Wrong had to be set right. Great Law and Gospel in one of my favorite hymns.

   
   
   

   Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

   6. The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
      Was born of virgin mother;
      And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
      He came to be my brother.
      His royal pow’r disguised He bore;
      A servant’s form, like mine, He wore
      To lead the devil captive.
   7. To me He said: “Stay close to Me,
      I am your rock and castle.
      Your ransom I Myself will be;
      For you I strive and wrestle.
      For I am yours, and you are Mine,
      And where I am, you may remain;
      The foe shall not divide us.
   8. “Though he will shed My precious blood,
      Me of My life bereaving,
      All this I suffer for your good;
      Be steadfast and believing.
      Life will from death the vict’ry win;
      My innocence shall bear your sin,
      And you are blest forever.
   9. “Now to My Father I depart,
      From earth to heav’n ascending,
      And, heavn’ly wisdom to impart,
      The Holy Spirit sending;
      In trouble He will comfort you
      And teach you always to be true
      And into truth shall guide you.
   10. “What I on earth have done and taught
       Guide all your life and teaching;
       So shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
       and honored in your preaching.
       But watch lest foes with base alloy
       The heavn’ly treasure should destroy;
       This final word I leave you.”
       ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-128/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 69 Hymn: 556, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice, vv. 6-10 Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 69 Bonus Bumper: Soundtrack of Jesus of Nazareth, “Jerusalem” “What I did not steal, must I now restore?” The Messiah restores you and me through his vicarious substitutionary atonement, which we read a good deal about in Psalm 69. “The Son obeyed His Father’s will.” Not because God the Father is an abusive dad, but because our sin is completely incompatible with God’s holiness. Total damage had to be repaired. Debt had to be repaid. Wrong had to be set right. Great Law and Gospel in one of my favorite hymns. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice The Son obeyed His Father’s will, Was born of virgin mother; And God’s good pleasure to fulfill, He came to be my brother. His royal pow’r disguised He bore; A servant’s form, like mine, He wore To lead the devil captive. To me He said: “Stay close to Me, I am your rock and castle. Your ransom I Myself will be; For you I strive and wrestle. For I am yours, and you are Mine, And where I am, you may remain; The foe shall not divide us. “Though he will shed My precious blood, Me of My life bereaving, All this I suffer for your good; Be steadfast and believing. Life will from death the vict’ry win; My innocence shall bear your sin, And you are blest forever. “Now to My Father I depart, From earth to heav’n ascending, And, heavn’ly wisdom to impart, The Holy Spirit sending; In trouble He will comfort you And teach you always to be true And into truth shall guide you. “What I on earth have done and taught Guide all your life and teaching; So shall the kingdom’s work be wrought and honored in your preaching. But watch lest foes with base alloy The heavn’ly treasure should destroy; This final word I leave you.” Text: Psalm 69. Hymn: 556, vv. 6-10. Guests: Cantor Jake Weber and Anna Baseley. 16:49 http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-127/ http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-127/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:15:58 +0000 Dan http://lutherantimeout.org/?p=5086 Text: Psalm 68
       Hymn: 556, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice, vv. 1-5
       Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 68
       Bonus Bumper: Handel, Messiah, “The Lord Gave the Word”

       “God settles the solitary in a home,” reminds me of John 14, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for us. He leads us, the prisoners, into eternal life and prosperity with him. Come, Lord Jesus!

       Another hymn in two parts. Cantor Beethe and I take the first five verses, and Anna and Cantor Weber take the last five next week. One of my favorites.

       
       

       Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

       1. Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
          With exultation springing,
          And with united heart and voice
          And holy rapture singing,
          Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
          How His right arm the victory won.
          What price our ransom cost Him!
       2. Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
          Death brooded darkly o’er me.
          Sin was my torment night and day;
          In sin my mother bore me.
          But daily deeper still I fell;
          My life become a living hell,
          So firmly sin possessed me.
       3. My own good works all came to naught,
          No grace or merit gaining;
          Free will against God’s judgment fought,
          Dead to all good remaining.
          My fears increased till sheer despair
          Left only death to be my share;
          The pangs of hell I suffered.
       4. But God beheld my wretched state
          Before the world’s foundation,
          And mindful of His mercies great,
          He planned for my salvation.
          He turned to me a father’s heart;
          He did not choose the easy part
          But gave His dearest treasure.
       5. God said to His belovéd son:
          “It’s time to have compassion.
          Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
          And bring to all salvation;
          From sin and sorrow set them free,
          Slay bitter death for them that they
          May live with You forever.”
       ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-127/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 68 Hymn: 556, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice, vv. 1-5 Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 68 Bonus Bumper: Handel, Messiah, “The Lord Gave the Word” “God settles the solitary in a home,” reminds me of John 14, where Jesus promises to prepare a place for us. He leads us, the prisoners, into eternal life and prosperity with him. Come, Lord Jesus! Another hymn in two parts. Cantor Beethe and I take the first five verses, and Anna and Cantor Weber take the last five next week. One of my favorites. Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God hath done, How His right arm the victory won. What price our ransom cost Him! Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay; Death brooded darkly o’er me. Sin was my torment night and day; In sin my mother bore me. But daily deeper still I fell; My life become a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me. My own good works all came to naught, No grace or merit gaining; Free will against God’s judgment fought, Dead to all good remaining. My fears increased till sheer despair Left only death to be my share; The pangs of hell I suffered. But God beheld my wretched state Before the world’s foundation, And mindful of His mercies great, He planned for my salvation. He turned to me a father’s heart; He did not choose the easy part But gave His dearest treasure. God said to His belovéd son: “It’s time to have compassion. Then go, bright jewel of My crown, And bring to all salvation; From sin and sorrow set them free, Slay bitter death for them that they May live with You forever.” Text: Psalm 68. Hymn: 556, vv. 1-5 14:50 http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-126/ http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-126/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:15:10 +0000 Dan http://lutherantimeout.org/?p=5080 Text: Psalm 45
       Hymn: 725, Children of the Heavenly Father
       Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 45
       Bonus Bumper: Three Dog Night, “Old Fashioned Love Song”

       “Forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty.” What repentance and gospel! Without Christ we are of our father the devil, but because we are paid for we are now God’s. We are desirable because of Christ’s action on the cross, justified by faith alone, forsaking the old ways of behavior and thinking.

       This week, a classic. This performance was better than last August’s LSB 593, which used the same tune, but I sang flat in a couple of areas. Many, many people know the first verse, but all the verses are worth examining. He is never severed from us. He never forsakes us. He preserves us pure and holy for eternity.

       Text: © Augsburg Publishing House
       Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

       
       

       Children of the Heavenly Father

       1. Children of the heav’nly Father
          Safely in His bosom gather;
          Nestling bird nor start in heaven
          Such a refuge e’er was given.
       2. God His own doth tend and nourish;
          In his holy courts they flourish.
          From all evil things He spares them;
          In His mighty arms He bares them.
       3. Neither life nor death shall ever
          From the Lord His children sever;
          Unto them His grace he showeth,
          And their sorrows all He knoweth.
       4. Thought He giveth or He taketh,
          God His children ne’er forsaketh;
          His the loving purpose solely
          To preserve them pure and holy.
       ]]> http://www.lutherantimeout.org/2011/07/time-out-episode-126/feed/ 0 Text: Psalm 45 Hymn: 725, Children of the Heavenly Father Kretzmann Commentary: Psalm 45 Bonus Bumper: Three Dog Night, “Old Fashioned Love Song” “Forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty.” What repentance and gospel! Without Christ we are of our father the devil, but because we are paid for we are now God’s. We are desirable because of Christ’s action on the cross, justified by faith alone, forsaking the old ways of behavior and thinking. This week, a classic. This performance was better than last August’s LSB 593, which used the same tune, but I sang flat in a couple of areas. Many, many people know the first verse, but all the verses are worth examining. He is never severed from us. He never forsakes us. He preserves us pure and holy for eternity. Text: © Augsburg Publishing House Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131. Children of the Heavenly Father Children of the heav’nly Father Safely in His bosom gather; Nestling bird nor start in heaven Such a refuge e’er was given. God His own doth tend and nourish; In his holy courts they flourish. From all evil things He spares them; In His mighty arms He bares them. Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord His children sever; Unto them His grace he showeth, And their sorrows all He knoweth. Thought He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh; His the loving purpose solely To preserve them pure and holy. Text: Psalm 45. Hymn: 725. 13:09