Today (June 25) is the 479th anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, in 1530. It is also the 429th anniversary of the publication of the Book of Concord, in 1580. Pr. Paul McCain has an excellent article written for today entitled “Does Being Lutheran Still Matter?” Be sure to check it out! The read is worth the time, because being a confessional evangelical Lutheran today matters just as much as it ever has.
In commemoration of the important event in the history of the Christian church that we celebrate today, I share with you the words of a rather recent Reformation hymn that I’ve come to love the more I’ve listened to it. In 1967, Pr. Werner Franzmann wrote “In Trembling Hands, Lord God, We Hold”, and at his request, Prof. Martin Albrecht wrote a tune for the text in 1974. Both tune and text appeared in a hymnal for the first time in the 1993 Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. With tune and text, the hymn has an oomph to it most befitting a Reformation hymn. Whether or not you are familiar with the hymn, may it fill you with awe at the precious treasure of the truth that God so graciously gave our forefathers and continues to place into our trembling hands nearly 500 years later!
In Trembling Hands, Lord God, We Hold
Text: Werner H. Franzmann, Tune: Martin Albrecht (IN TREMBLING HANDS)
Christian Worship 199
In trembling hands, Lord God, we hold our heritage, your gift of grace,
Your gospel, bringing wealth untold: all blessings here, in heav’n a place.
“In trembling hands” – for how could we retain your gift by our own pow’r?
The pearl of priceless worth would be soon lost – attend us ev’ry hour!
“In trembling hands” – with joyous awe, like Luther, we behold your Son:
For us He kept your holy law, in dying full salvation won.
“In trembling hands” – and yet we cling with grip of steel, which you must give,
To Christ, our all, our ev’rything, to Christ, the life in whom we live.
“In trembling hands” – the treasure won we only hold through Scripture, Lord.
Then keep us all, till life is done, as people trembling at your Word.
“In trembling hands” – if it be so, how can our hearts remain unstirred
While millions still in tatters go nor yet of wealth in Christ have heard?
In trembling hands, Lord God, we hold our heritage; now give us hands
That gladly share your heav’nly gold with needy souls in many lands!
Text: © 1993 – Werner Franzmann
Tune © 1993 – Martin Albrecht
I am a little surprised that “Luther” actually appears in one of our hymn lyrics. Quite unusual, but I guess it works in the context of the verse.
You’ll also actually find it in the hymn “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” (CW 514/TLH 288/LSB 865/ELH 551) that talks about retaining the pure & plain doctrine of the Catechism “as Luther taught the Word of truth in simple style to tender youth.” It was actually written in the half century after Luther and translated by a former leader in the Ohio Synod and in the earliest days of the Synodical Conference.
Obviously in both of these hymns (or in any of our hymns) we don’t sing praises to or about Luther, but though unusual to use his name, I think it’s quite appropriate in poetic form (esp. in regards to a Reformation or catechetical hymn) to refer to teach the truth “as Luther” or behold the Son with joy “like Luther”. Much like the OT believers in Hebrews 11, we can properly regard Luther as a “Hero of Faith” from whose faithful example we can receive encouragement in our lives of faith and learn from his model of faithful service to the Word of truth and above all to his Savior. (We just finished a Bible study here in which I introduced the class to 13 “Heroes of Faith” from the history of the New Testament church – a fascinating study filled with encouragement for all who participated.)
So yes, it is unusual, but as you noted, appropriate in these instances.
You can find out more about that hymn at:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/h/u/lhue2ret.htm