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The Open Hymnal · No. 189 · Words: Martin Luther · Tune: Vom Himmel Hoch
To Shepherds As They Watched By Night
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A Christmas hymn originally written by Martin Luther in 1543, translated into English by Richard Massie in 1854. It retells the angelic announcement to the shepherds at Bethlehem, proclaiming Christ as Lord, King, and the eternal God made flesh.
Verse 1
To shepherds as they watched by night Appeared a host of angels bright;
Behold the tender Babe, they said,
In yonder lowly manger laid.
Verse 2
At Bethlehem, in David's town,
As Micah did of old make known;
'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,
Who doth to all salvation bring.
Verse 3
Oh,
then rejoice that through His Son God is with sinners now at one;
Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,
Your Brother is th'eternal God.
Verse 4
What harm can sin and death then do?
The true God now abides with you.
Let hell and Satan rage and chafe,
Christ is your Brother ye are safe.
Verse 5
Not one He will or can forsake Who Him his confidence doth make.
Let all his wiles the Tempter try,
You may his utmost pow'rs defy.
Verse 6
Ye shall and must at last prevail;
God's own ye are, ye cannot fail.
To God forever sing your praise With joy and patience all your days.
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