HYMN: Exult, O Saints, in Christ the Lord

I’ve been writing hymn texts for about 15 years now. There are times when they seem to pour out of me, and I can write six in a week. And there are times when I haven’t written one in months and I begin to think I’m never going to write another. I haven’t written many since September of 2022–obviously that was an enormous turning point in life—and the move to a new location and the start of a new position with a new congregation hasn’t made that any easier.

But then I started reading a book this week called The Joy of Eternal Life by Philipp Nicolai, translated by Matthew Carver. If the Nicolai name sounds familiar, it’s because he is one of the greatest hymn writers ever. He was not prolific, but what he lacked in quantity he made up for in quality. “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” (LSB 516) is the quintessential End Times hymn, recounting our Lord’s parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. And “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” (LSB 395) is a wonderful Epiphany text which also points us to the resurrection at the Last Day. Anyway, this book discusses “what eternal life is and how Christians are made ready for it” (from the back cover). So far I’ve only made it through the introduction, but even that was enough to inspire me to write. 

So here is a text based on Nicolai’s introduction. It started as a Long Meter Double text, but there are only three LMD hymns in Lutheran Service Book, and I’ve already used the one I like once, and I’d prefer not to do that again unless I have to. So I divided the stanzas in half with a little editing, and I made it into a Long Meter text, set to the tune DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, which is used in Lutheran Service Book for “From God the Father, Virgin Born” (LSB 401). If anyone wants to write an original tune, either LM or LMD, I won’t argue. *wink* As always, feedback is love.

Exult, O Saints, in Christ the Lord

1. Exult, O saints, in Christ the Lord

Who won for us the great reward

Of life eternal. We shall stand

Within the glorious fatherland.

2. There we shall see with endless joy

The One whose blood did death destroy,

The One who crushed the serpents head

To raise the blessed and holy dead.

3. Our God will banish all our fears

And wipe away all anguished tears.

And joyful song for each complaint

Shall spring from every gladdened saint

4. In New Jerusalem we’ll dwell 

With Jesus, our Immanuel.

The angels there shall call us “blessed”

Who find in Christ our endless rest.

5. The Lord our God will surely come

To bring His faithful children home.

He hears our moaning, sighing prayer

As we our griefs and burdens bear.

6. What we must suffer for a time

Cannot compare with bliss sublime

Which soon will be revealed in us:

Deliverance most glorious.

7. O Satan, world, and trials, begone!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has won!

For us His holy blood was shed,

And we shall rise, the faithful dead.

8. O wondrous life, for us prepared

Who in the tribulation dared

To cling to Christ with every breath,

By faith to struggle unto death.

9. Rejoice, O earth! Be glad and sing

To Christ, our risen Savior King!

In You is perfect grace revealed.

By You are heaven’s gates unsealed.

10. Your name is ours; Your righteousness

Is now our spotless, radiant dress.

Bring us to our eternal home.

We pray, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

LM (88 88)

DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (LSB 401)

Eternal Life; End Times; Tribulation