Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark - Aaberg Jens Christian

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from this deplorable loss, it must be conceded that the committee had done an excellent work and that its hymnal was much better suited for general use than Kingo’s proposed hymnal would have been. The committee also had shown its fairness toward Kingo by commissioning him to print the hymnal and to enjoy exclusive rights of its distribution for ten years, so that he might recoup some of the losses he had sustained by the rejection of his own book. He repaid the favor by turning out a most excellent piece of work; and the book, both in content and appearance undoubtedly rated as the finest hymnal the Danish church had so far produced. It served the church for more than a hundred years, and was always known as “Kingo’s Hymnal”, for, after all, his great hymns were what gave it permanent value.

       Chapter Six

      Kingo’s Church Hymns

      Kingo’s church hymns naturally differ from his spiritual songs. They are more objective in form and less fiery in spirit. Most of them follow their themes quite closely, reproducing in many instances even the words of their text. Kingo is too vital, however, to confine himself wholly to an objective presentation. Usually the last stanzas of his hymns are devoted to a brief and often striking application of their text. He possessed to a singular degree the ability to express a thought tersely, as for instance in the following stanza, the last of a hymn on the baptism of the Lord:

      Our Lord is then our brother

      In whom we may confide,

      The Church of God our mother,

      The Holy Ghost our guide;

      Our blest baptismal dower

      The bands of hell has riven

      And opened us God’s heaven,

      This is our faith each hour.

      The hymns may be classed under four headings: Festival Hymns, Sacramental Hymns, Historical Hymns and Hymns on the Gospels and Epistles.

      With the exception of his Easter anthem, his festival hymns cannot compare with those of later authors. Some of his Pentecost hymns, such as the hymns given below, are, however, still favorites.

      The day of Pentecost draws nigh;

      Come, Holy Spirit from on high,

      Who with the Father and the Son

      Is God eternal, three in one.

      O God triune, Thy grace impart

      Into my carnal, sinful heart,

      That it a temple blest may be

      Prepared and set aside for Thee.

      Come, Holy Ghost, and witness bear

      That I the life of Christ do share,

      And that I know no other name

      To save my soul from guilt and shame.

      O Counselor of truth and light,

      Teach me to know my Lord aright,

      That from the way of faith I may

      Not even for a moment stray.

      Blest Spirit of my God and Lord,

      Preserve me in Thy way and word,

      Imbue me with Thy life and breath,

      Console me in the hour of death.

      Kingo frequently is referred to as “the Easter Singer of Denmark”. His claim to this title rests mainly on one song. Easter with its story of triumphant victory appealed especially to him; and he wrote several excellent hymns on the theme, but they are all overshadowed by the splendid anthem presented below.

      Like the golden sun ascending

      In the darkly clouded sky

      And on earth its glory spending

      Until clouds and darkness fly,

      So my Jesus from the grave,

      From death’s dark, abysmal cave,

      Rose triumphant Easter morning,

      Brighter than the sun returning.

      Thanks, O thanks, to Thee arisen

      Lord and God Immanuel,

      That the foe could not imprison

      Thee within his hell-dark cell.

      Thanks that Thou didst meet our foe

      And his kingdom overthrow.

      Jubilant my spirit raises

      New Thy never ending praises.

      Sin and death and every arrow

      Satan hence may point at me

      Fall now broken at the narrow

      Tomb that saw Thy victory;

      There Thou didst them all destroy

      Giving me the cup of joy

      That Thou glorious resurrection

      Wrought my pardon and protection.

      Thou wilt hence to life awake me

      By Thy resurrection power;

      Death may wound and overtake me,

      Worms my flesh and bones devour,

      But I face the threat of death

      With the sure and joyful faith

      That its fearful reign was ended

      When Thy might its portal rended.

      Blessed Jesus, let the Spirit

      So imbue my heart with grace

      That I walk by Thy blest merit

      And no more the way retrace

      To the vile and miry pit

      Where I lay condemned, unfit,

      Till redeemed to life victorious

      By Thy resurrection glorious.

      In this rugged hymn Kingo is at his best – fiery, vital, a master of imagery and graphic expression.

      His hymns on the sacraments faithfully reflect the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Here he most clearly shows his ability to present objective truths in a devotional spirit. We meet in these a Christian who humbly and prayerfully accepts the whole mystery of God. For centuries these rugged songs have served to express the sentiments of millions as they met at the baptismal font or knelt before the altar. The following is one of the most favored baptismal hymns both in the Danish and Norwegian churches:

      Whoso believes and is baptized[3]

      God’s kingdom shall inherit,

      For he is cleansed by Jesus Christ

      Who, by His grace and merit,

      Adopts him as His child and heir,

      Grants him in heaven’s bliss to share

      And seals him with His Spirit.

      We ask with earnest faith of Thee,

      Our Lord and blest Defender,

      That Thou wilt guide us constantly

      And, in Thy mercy tender,

      Keep us in our baptismal grace

      Until at last we take our place

      With Thee ’midst heaven’s splendor.

      Kingo’s communion hymns have to a large extent been superseded by later hymns of Grundtvig and others. But some of them are still in common use. The following characteristic hymn is frequently used before the communion.

      Lord Jesus Christ receive me now

      As with a heart contrite I bow

      Before Thine altar, blessed Lamb,

      Who

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Another translation: “He that believes and is baptized” by G. T. Rygh in “Hymnal for Church and Home”.