Luther’s "Zion Song"
The Reformation Polka
Corinthian Creed
At last, my new song (hymn?) arranged for a group and performed in the worship service at church! All I could provide were the words and the basic melody, but I selected talented musicians at church who could arrange their own piano part, and who could harmonize by ear. Unfortunately, the recording doesn’t begin until we have already moved into the second verse. But that’s okay, you get to hear all the talented people who helped me, to whom I’m very grateful.
There is a saying among theologians (or at least R. C. Sproul refers to it frequently) that the orthodox owe a debt of gratitude to heretics. All of the creeds from the earliest centuries of church history involve an element of correcting the heresy that was most destructive to the faith in that generation. If you think back, even the Bible itself is largely written to correct the errors which afflicted God’s people. Nothing forces us to sharpen our focus and improve our understanding the way “competition” does.
I likewise owe a debt of gratitude to heresy in the writing of my hymn, “Corinthian Creed.” But the correction of heresy inspired my song in a different way. I was reading one of the books defending Christianity against the revisionist Da Vinci Code and noticed in a footnote that the passage in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 was originally a creed which developed less than a decade after Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension! That really blew my mind! Growing up an anti-creedal Baptist, you tend to think creeds and Bibles are like apples and oranges. Here’s a creed in the Bible! The apostle Paul was catechized with the help of a creed! And look how well he turned out!
My way of memorizing verses frequently involves putting it to a tune. I do it quite a bit. So I did it to the “creed” in 1 Corinthians 15. This comprises the first verse of my song. Then after a short time I devised the chorus, and desired to write a couple of other verses to make it a genuine song. So it stayed in this form as I thought and prayed. Finally, it dawned on me to simply summarize the entire chapter–Paul’s great teaching on the fact of, and necessity of the resurrection of Christ and the fact of our resurrection in him. First Corinthians 15 is at once an apologetic defense (is that redundant?) of Christ’s resurrection, a thorough proclamation of the gospel, and a sermon exhorting believers to persevere in the faith in the hope of their resurrection in Christ at the last day! What better material could there be for a “modern hymn?”
In my next post, I will audioblog our performance of the song; below are the lyrics. Do any of my readers know anyone who can help me out with a four-part harmony for a choir?
Theological and Doxological Meditation #23
Offices of the Redeemer
Q. What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer,
executes the office of a prophet (Acts 3:22),
of a priest (Hebrews 5:6),
and of a king (Psalm 2:6),
both in his state of humiliation and exaltation.
Blessed Jesus, At Your Word
#303, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Stanzas 1-3, Tobias Clausnitzer, 1663;
Stanza 4, anon., 1707
Stanzas 1-3 translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1858;
Stanza 4 translated by anon.;
altered 1990, mod.
Blessed Jesus, at your word
we are gathered all to hear you;
let our hearts and souls be stirred
now to seek and love and fear you,
by your teachings, sweet and holy,
drawn from earth to love you solely.
All our knowledge, sense and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
till your Spirit breaks our night
with the beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God can win us;
you must work all good within us.
Glorious Lord, your self impart,
Light of light, from God proceeding;
open now our ears and heart,
help us by your Spirit’s pleading;
hear the cry your people raises,
hear and bless our prayers and praises.
Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
praise to you and adoration!
Grant that we your Word may trust
and obtain true consolation,
while we here below must wander,
till we sing your praises yonder.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #22
The Redeemer’s Incarnation
Q. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man,
by taking to himself a true body (Hebrews 2:14),
and a reasonable soul (Matthew 26:38),
being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost,
in the womb of the virgin Mary,
and born of her (Luke 1:31, 35),
yet without sin (Hebrews 7:26).
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
#193, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Liturgy of St. James, 5th Century
Adapted by Gerard Moultrie, 1864
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph;
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Theological and Doxological Meditation #21
The Redeemer’s Identity
Q. Who is the Redeemer of God’s Elect?
A. The Only Redeemer of God’s Elect is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5), who, being the eternal Son of God, became man (John 1:14), and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person (Romans 9:5), forever (Hebrews 7:24).
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
#162, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1854;
Henry W. Baker, 1859
Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the Source, the Ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
O that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
This is he whom heav’n-taught singers
sang of old with one accord,
whom the Scriptures of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long expected;
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heav’n adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
all dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
Theological and Doxological Meditation #20
Deliverance from the Fall
Q. Did God leave all mankind to perish
in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God, having out of his mere good pleasure,
from all eternity elected some to everlasting life (Ephesians 1:4),
did enter into a covenant of grace,
to deliver them out of the estate of sine and misery,
and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer
(Romans 3:21-22).
How Vast the Benefits Divine
#470, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Augustus M. Toplady, 1774
Alt. 1961
How vast the benefits divine
which we in Christ possess!
We are redeemed from guilt and shame
and called to holiness.
But not for works which we have done,
or shall hereafter do,
hath God decreed on sinful men
salvation to bestow.
The glory, Lord, from first to last,
is due to thee alone;
aught to ourselves we dare not take,
or rob thee of thy crown.
Our glorious Surety undertook
to satisfy for man,
and grace was given us in him
before the world began.
This is thy will, that in thy love
we ever should abide;
that earth and hell should not prevail
to turn thy word aside.
Not one of all the chosen race
but shall to heav’n attain,
partake on earth the purposed grace
and then with Jesus reign.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #19
Misery of Man’s Estate
Q. What is the misery of that estate
whereinto man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall
lost communion with God (Genesis 3:8),
are under his wrath and curse
(Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 3:10),
and so, made liable to all miseries in this life,
to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever
(Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:41).
O Safe to the Rock That Is Higher Than I
#655, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
William O. Cushing, 1876
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I
my soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
so sinful, so weary, thine, thine would I be;
thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.
Hiding in thee, hiding in thee–
thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.
In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
in times when temptation casts o’er me its pow’r,
in the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.
Hiding in thee, hiding in thee–
thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe!
How often when trials like sea billows roll,
have I hidden in thee, O thou Rock of my soul!
Hiding in thee, hiding in thee–
thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in thee.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #18
Sinfulness of Man’s Estate
Q. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate
whereinto Man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell,
consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin (Romans 5:19),
the want of original righteousness (Romans 3:18),
and the corruption of his whole nature,
which is commonly called original sin.
Amazing Grace!
#460, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Stanzas 1-5, John Newton, 1779
Stanza 6, A Collection of Sacred Ballads, 1790
Amazing grace!
How sweet the sound!
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his Word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’ve first begun.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #17
Estate of Fallen Man
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery (Romans 5:12).
To God My Earnest Voice I Raise
#608, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Arrangement by Edward Miller, 1790
From Psalm 142
To God my earnest voice I raise,
to God my voice imploring prays;
before his face my grief I show
and tell my trouble and my woe.
When gloom and sorrow compass me,
the path I take is known to thee,
and all the toils that foes do lay
to snare thy servant in his way.
O Lord, my Savior, now to thee,
without a hope besides, I flee,
to thee, my shelter from the strife,
my portion in the land of life.
Be thou my help when troubles throng,
for I am weak and foes are strong;
my captive soul from prison bring,
and thankful praises I will sing.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #16
Extent of the Fall
Q. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam,
not only for himself,
but for his posterity (Genesis 1:28; 2:16-17);
all mankind,
descending from him by ordinary generation,
sinned in him,
and fell with him,
in his first transgression (Romans 5:18).
Fountain of Never-Ceasing Grace
#519, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
Fountain of never-ceasing grace,
your saints’ exhaustless theme,
great object of immortal praise,
essentially supreme,
we bless you for the glorious fruits
your incarnation gives,
the righteousness which grace imputes,
and faith alone receives.
In you we have a righteousness
by God himself approved;
our rock, our sure foundation this,
which never can be moved.
Our ransom by your death was paid,
for all your people giv’n,
the law you perfectly obeyed,
that they might enter heav’n.
As all, when Adam sinned alone,
in his transgression died,
so by the righteousness of One
are sinners justified;
we to your merit, gracious Lord,
with humblest joy submit,
again to paradise restored,
in you alone complete.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #15
Our First Parents’ First Sin
Q. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created was their eathing the forbidden fruit
(Genesis 3:6-8).
Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray
#567, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
Johann Freystein, 1697, cento.
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
STRAF MICH NICHT 7.6.7.6.3.3.6.6.
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
from thy sleep awaken;
be not by the evil day
unawares o’ertaken.
For the foe, well we know,
oft his harvest reapeth
while the Christian sleepeth.Watch against the devil’s snares,
lest asleep he find thee;
for indeed no pains he spares
to deceive and blind thee.
Satan’s prey oft are they
who secure are sleeping
and no watch are keeping.
Watch! Let not the wicked world
with its pow’r defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled
she betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see lest there be
faithless friends to charm thee,
who but seek to harm thee.
Watch against thyself, my soul,
lest with grace thou trifle;
let not self thy thoughts control
nor God’s mercy stifle.
Pride and sin lurk within
all thy hopes to scatter;
heed not when they flatter.
But while watching, also pray
to the Lord unceasing.
He will free thee, be thy stay,
strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless in distress
and let nothing swerve me
from the will to serve thee.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #14
Sin Defined
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto,
or transgression of,
the law of God (1 John 3:4).
God, Be Merciful to Me
Music by Richard Redhead, 1853
#486, Trinity Hymnal (© 1990)
God, be merciful to me,
on thy grace I rest my plea;
plenteous in compassion thou,
blot out my transgressions now;
wash me, make me pure within,
cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace
and provoked thee to thy face;
I confess thy judgment just,
speechless, I thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
teach thy wisdom to my heart;
make me pure, thy grace bestow,
wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
by thy wrath and judgment just,
let my contrite heart rejoice
and in gladness hear thy voice;
from my sins O hide thy face,
blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
make my spirit right and true;
cast me not away from thee,
let thy Spirit dwell in me;
thy salvation’s joy impart,
steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
and return, O God, to thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
and my tongue shall sing thy love;
touch my silent lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall praise accord.
Theological and Doxological Meditation #13
The Fall
Q. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God (Genesis 3:6-8; Ecclesiastes 7:29).
With Tears of Anguish I Lament
Samuel Stennett (1727-1795)
With tears of anguish I lament
here at thy feet, my God
my passion, pride and discontent
and vile ingratitude
Sure there was ne’er a heart so base
so false as mine has been
so faithless to its promises
so prone to ev’ry sin
My reason tells me thy commands
are holy, just and true
tells me whate’er my God demands
is his most righteous due
Reason I hear, her counsels weigh
and all here words approve
but still I find it hard t’obey
and harder yet to love
How long, dear Savior, shall I feel
these strugglings in my breast?
When wilt thou bow my stubborn will,
and give my conscience rest?
Break, sov’reign grace, O break the charm
and set the captive free
reveal, Almighty god, thine arm
and haste to rescue me.
The Misadventures of Captain Headknowledge 
