IN OTHER WORDS

To borrow a saying, it takes an
international "village" to produce
a body of worship hymns.

You probably know this classic hymn by Joachim Neander that German Christians began singing after its composition in 1680:

“Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren.”

Don’t speak German? Maybe these English words will resonate and also help you recall the tune:

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.”

It's one of my favorite hymns, and now even more meaningful after learning about its journey to my native tongue, English. I thank a never-married Englishwoman, Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), whose name as “translator” is quietly inserted in the credits of some four hundred hymns, many still included in hymnals.

Born in London to the home of a silk merchant, she was taught at home by her mother. At twenty-one, she traveled to Dresden, Germany, staying with relatives. There, she learned German and became interested in the rich heritage of German hymns, including those by John Wesley and leaders in the Moravian movement.

 As her translations came back to England, they were heralded for being “terse and delicate” in the complex task of bridging two very different languages. Her name would eventually share the credit lines of some 400 hymns. Besides Neander's (above), the better-known hymns would include:

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying

If Thou Would Suffer God to Guide Me

Jesus Precious Treasure

She also translated biographies of founders of “sisterhoods” helping the poor and sick. In England, she advocated for women's rights and higher education. Later a resident of Bristol, she used her own funds to buy and upgrade apartment buildings to provide decent, affordable housing for its poor.

 Her lifespan was short—she died in her 50th year in 1878. She never married. But her legacy lives on through the stout, robust German hymns that she “gifted” to the English-speaking world through her bilingual and poetic skills.

 Miss Winkworth’s largely unsung role is a reminder that God uses all sorts of skills to advance the Gospel, and that includes sharing the story of salvation through song. It comes to us through gifted composers, poets, translators, and supporting musicians. “We are God’s fellow workers,” Paul said of Apollos, whom he said “watered the seed” he had planted (1 Corinthians 1:9). Certainly, the gifts of hymn-translation—as Miss Winkworth so diligently practiced--also belong in the category of “fellow workers.”

 

PRAISEWORTHY

 A continuing series on hymns of the faith.

How many times have you probably sung these hymn lyrics, sensing a bubbling up of joy?

Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creation!

O my soul, praise Him for he is thy health and salvation!

Ironically, the man who wrote these lyrics didn't always feel this way about his faith. Born in 1650 in Germany, his father, grandfather, great-grand father and great-great grandfather had all been preachers. But Joachim Neander was the rebellious pastor's kid. At twenty he and other students descended on historic St. Martin's Church in Bremen, established in 1229, to heckle the worshipers. But the pastor's sermon that day pierced his heart, leading to his conversion.

A few years later he became a headmaster of a school in Dusseldorf. While there he wrote more than sixty hymns. But his strong Christian witness and evangelistic work didn't go over with school authorities, and later he was dismissed.

Neander would become known for the long walks he'd take near his home. He used that time for private worship, often composing hymns as he strolled and singing them to God. At thirty, he wrote the hymn “Praise ye the Lord!, the Almighty.” That year he died of tuberculosis. But in that short decade of following God, he'd become a noted scholar in theology, literature, and music, also pastoring a Reformed church in Dusseldorf, Germany.

His life and hymns would have become just a fading postscript of Germany's religious history without the skills of an English woman who lived about two hundred years ago. Catherine Winkworth, daughter of a London silk merchant, became proficient in German and took on as a passion the translation of the great heritage of German hymns. Miss Winkworth, friend of many writers of her day including Charles Dickens, would have her name connected to almost 500 translated hymn texts. Besides Neander's, they'd include “Now Thank We All Our God” and “Open Now the Gates of Heaven.” She would also be remembered as a pioneer for higher education for women.

Some extra history trivia:

*In tribute to Neander, the historic Bremen church where he once heckled worshipers now plays “Praise ye the Lord” on its bells every day.

*His first name, Joachim, is said to be the same as the father of the virgin Mary. It means “established by God.”

*One of his favorite walking spots was a valley that would be named in tribute to him: Neanderthal Valley, merging his last name “Neander” with the German term “tal” or “thal” for valley. In 1856, miners discovered caves with human bones. One scientist thought they might be in the missing link in Darwin's evolutionary theories. That theory was proven false; they likely were just an extinct people known for their strength. It's been said that Neander would have been shocked to have an evolutionary theory attached to a concept he would have rejected.

Sing along with words superimposed on beautiful scenery:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - YouTube