Music for Septuagesima

Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone   The HYMN OF THE DAY, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come” (555), is one of the oldest core Lutheran chorales.  Written by Pastor Paul Speratus (1484-1551) in 1523, it was included in the first Lutheran hymnal Etlich Christlich lider, also known as the Achtliederbuch (“Eight Song Book”) of 1524.  In its first printing, it was described as “a hymn of Law and Faith, Powerfully Furnished with God’s Word.”

Originally in fourteen stanzas, in our current version it sets forth the doctrine of justification, man’s bondage to sin under the Law (stanzas 2-4), the work of Christ for salvation (stanzas 5-6), the Christian life, and rendering praise to the Triune God for His great work.

Speratus was forced to leave several parishes because of his evangelical views.  Eventually he came to Wittenberg and associated with Luther.  He became pastor in Königsberg and served as the Lutheran bishop of Pomerania until his death.

Though All Our Life is Like a Scroll   To commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, a hymn writing competition was held on the theme “It’s Still All About Jesus.”

The hymn that was chosen was “Though All Our Life is Like a Scroll” by the Rev. Wilfred L. Karsten, pastor of Holy Cross—Moline, IL.  A tune was composed for Pastor Karsten’s text by Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music at Concordia University—Seward, NE.  Today the choir sings this hymn as the CHORAL VOLUNTARY.  The hymn highlights the themes “Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone” which are noticeable during the three Sundays of the Septuagesima season.

Though all our life is like a scroll

Unrolled with blemished pages;

Though sin has shredded what was whole

And death is now our wages;

Yet here we stand in confidence,

With Jesus as our sole defense,

For He alone still saves us.

Though pompously we try to dress

In costumes of our making;

Though fig leaves of self-righteousness

Are futile and heartbreaking;

Yet filthy rags Christ gladly wore

So we would perish nevermore.

His grace alone still clothes us.

Though earth’s deep waters foam and roar

As surging waves are rolling;

Though all the nations rage with war

While bells of doom are tolling;

Yet God gives peaceful fortitude,

He nurtures us with Heaven’s food.

True faith alone still anchors.

Though critics cut out Scripture’s claims

And treat them with derision;

Though they conduct their hostile aims

With scalpels of suspicion;

Yet how the living, two-edged sword

Proclaims the dead and risen Lord!

God’s Word alone: still truthful.

Now sing a high doxology

To God who gives salvation.

Both here and in eternity

Let this be our vocation.

To Father, Son, and Spirit raise

A symphony of grateful praise,

For He alone is worthy. Amen.