Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord

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Rev. Daniel Golden, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, WV, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #352, “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord.”

This hymn by Heinrich Held helps us to rejoice in the faithfulness of God to His Word. All creation and all people should praise God for sending Christ as the help and friend of sinners. Jesus is the fulfillment of what the saints of old longed to receive. The promises made to Abraham, Zion, and Jacob have been truly kept in Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He came in peace and gentleness, and so we pray for the same mind to dwell in us now. He must be the One to beat back the attacks of the devil now and keep us in faith so that we will welcome Him joyfully on the Last Day.

“The Hymns of Advent” is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 352

1 Let the earth now praise the Lord,
Who has truly kept His word
And at last to us did send
Christ, the sinner’s help and friend.

2 What the fathers most desired,
What the prophets’ heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year,
Stands fulfilled in glory here.

3 Abram’s promised great reward,
Zion’s helper, Jacob’s Lord–
Him of twofold race behold–
Truly came, as long foretold.

4 As Your coming was in peace,
Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me
Which is Yours eternally.

5 Bruise for me the serpent’s head
That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cling to You in faith,
Safely kept through life and death.

6 Then when You will come again
As the glorious king to reign,
I with joy will see Your face,
Freely ransomed by Your grace.

Text: Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
Author: Heinrich Held, 1620-59
Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78
Tune: NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND
Arranger: Seth Calvisius, 1556-1615