Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men
by Nikolaus Herman
Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923
Text from The Lutheran Hymnal,1941
1. Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men,
Before His highest throne;
Today He opens heaven again
And gives us His own Son.
2. He leaves His heavenly Father’s throne,
Is born an infant small,
And in a manger, poor and lone,
Lies in a humble stall.
3. He veils in flesh His power divine
A servant’s form to take;
In want and lowliness must pine
Who heaven and earth did make.
4. He nestles at His mother’s breast,
Receives her tender care,
Whom angels hail with joy most blest,
King David’s royal heir.
5. ‘Tis He who in these latter days
From Judah’s tribe should come,
By whom the Father would upraise
The Church, His Christendom.
6. A wondrous change which He doth make!
He takes our flesh and blood,
And He conceals for sinners’ sake
His majesty of God.
7. He serves that I a lord may be;
A great exchange indeed!
Could Jesus’ love do more for me
To help me in my need?
8. He opens us again the door
Of Paradise today;
The angel guards the gate no more,
To God our thanks we pay.
Notes:
Hymn #105 from The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Luke 2: 1-14
Author: Nikolaus Herman, 1560
Translated by: August Crull, 1923, alt.
Titled: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen all zugleich
Composer: Nikolaus Herman, 1554
Tune: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen