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Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran minister in Eilenburg, Saxony during the Thirty Years’ War. Hundreds perished in the walled city while the Swedish army surrounded it and famine and plague ran rampant. Rinkart, who performed as many as 50 funerals a day, plead with the Swedish commander for mercy. Impressed by his faith and courage, the Swedish commander lowered his ransom demands. Rinkart wrote this hymn as a celebration of his trust and gratitude towards God.

Nun Danket Alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God)

Words by Martin Rinkart (1586-1649), English translation by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878).
Music by Johann Crüger, (1598-1662), with harmony by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840.

 

Nun danket alle Gott
mit Herzen, Mund und Händen,
der grosse Dinge tut
an uris und allen Enden,
der uns von Mutterleib
und Kindesbeinen an
unzählig viel zu gut
und noch jetzund getan.

Der ewig reiche Gott
will uns bei unserm Leben
ein immer fröhlich Herz
und edlen Frieden geben
und uns in seiner Gnad
erhalten fort und fort
und uns aus aller Not
erlösen hier und dort.

Lob, Ehr und Preis sei Gott,
Dem Vater und dem Sohne
Und dem, der beiden gleich
Im höchsten Himmelsthrone,
Dem dreimal einen Gott,
Wie er ursprünglich war
Und ist und bleiben wird
Jetzund und immerdar!

 

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mother's arms
hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever-joyful hearts
and blessèd peace to cheer us;
and keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns
with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

.

Max Kade German-American Center
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
401 East Michigan Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 464-9004 Office
(317) 630-0035 Fax

Created: 4 December 2005, SJS
Updated: 13 December 2005, BAS
Comments to: IUPUI Max Kade German-American Center, mkgac@iupui.edu
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