Christians Sing Out with Exultation
Christians, sing out with exultation
Christians Sing Out with Exultation is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by August Crull. Found in lw 298, tlh 100. Sung to GELOBET SEIST DU.
The hymn embodies the Lutheran affirmation of Christ's full humanity and divinity in the Incarnation, countering Docetic heresies by celebrating that God truly became flesh. It reflects the joyful confidence of Lutheran Christology and the centrality of Christ's person to Christian faith and worship.
History & Background
This German hymn by Martin Behm was published in early 17th century Lutheran hymnody, celebrating the Incarnation with joyful affirmation of Christ's coming in flesh. August Crull translated it into English for American Lutheran hymnals in the mid-20th century.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 298
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 100
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1610) wrote this triumphant affirmation of Christ's full humanity and divinity against Docetic heresies denying Christ took true flesh. A cornerstone of Lutheran Christmas theology.
Preaching Connection
This hymn anchors proclamation of Christ's Incarnation by countering every impulse to diminish either His divinity or humanity, making it an ideal sung response to Gospel passages revealing Jesus as the Word made flesh.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.
Overview
A French Christmas hymn by Bénédict Pictet, a Reformed theologian of Geneva, set to Louis Bourgeois's Genevan tune NAVARRE. Christians are called to exult because today the Author of salvation came, born of a virgin, and 'God Himself became your Brother' (st. 1). Eternal might stooped to human weakness; the Master wears a servant's form, and glory beams from his poverty and tears (st. 2). A stable and manger, yet a star and angels' Gloria (st. 3). Through the incarnation 'the primal curse is done away' and peace shines on creation (st. 4).
Central theme: Joy at the incarnation, in which God becomes our Brother, glory shines through poverty, and the primal curse is removed
Structure
Four eight-line stanzas (9.8.9.8 D). Exultation (1) — majesty disguised (2) — stable and star (3) — curse removed (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'the primal curse' (4). Gospel: 'God Himself became your Brother'; 'the primal curse is done away' (1, 4).
Confessional Connections
'God Himself became your Brother' — the incarnation (AC III). St. 2: 'His majesty disguising, a servant's form the Master wears' — the state of humiliation (FC VIII.26; Phil 2:7). 'Beams of glory rising e'en from His poverty and tears' — the theology of the cross: glory hidden in lowliness. 'The primal curse is done away' (Gen 3; Gal 3:13). Pictet was Reformed; this hymn's Christology is consistent with the Lutheran confession.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas Day; Christmas season.
Historical Notes
Pictet (1655-1724), professor of theology at Geneva, published it in 1705. Jenner (1820-1898), first Bishop of Dunedin, translated it.
About the Tune
NAVARRE (Louis Bourgeois, Genevan Psalter, 1544).
Scripture References
1 John 4:2 Heb 2:10-11 Isa 7:14 Matt 3:17 Phil 2:6-8 2 Cor 8:9 John 1:14 Luke 2:7 Matt 2:2 Luke 2:13-14 Gen 3:15-19 Gal 3:13 Rom 8:19-21 Col 1:20
Stanza by Stanza
Christians, sing out with joy and praise your Benefactor's name! Today the Author of salvation, the Father's beloved, came. An infant, fully divine, was born of a pure virgin mother, and God himself became your Brother on this happy Christmas morning.
1 John 4:2 (TLH's text): 'Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.' 'The founder of their salvation… is not ashamed to call them brothers' (Heb 2:10-11). 'This is my beloved Son' (Matt 3:17). The virgin birth (Isa 7:14).
- Scripture
- 1 John 4:2, Heb 2:10-11, Matt 3:17, Isa 7:14
- Imagery & language
- Author of salvation; God our Brother.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the incarnation.
- Connection to previous
- Exultation.
In him eternal might and power have bent down to human weakness, and this poor child brings mankind the richest dowry of gifts and graces. While he disguises his majesty here, the Master wears a servant's form; see the beams of glory rising even from his poverty and tears.
'He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant' (Phil 2:7). 'Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor' (2 Cor 8:9). Glory seen in lowliness (John 1:14). The state of humiliation (FC VIII.26).
- Scripture
- Phil 2:6-8, 2 Cor 8:9, John 1:14
- Imagery & language
- Might stooping; servant's form; glory from poverty.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — humiliation for us.
- Connection to previous
- Majesty disguised.
A stable serves as his home and a poor manger as his bed; yet over his head a new and wonderful star announces his coming. Angels tell people the joyful story of his birth and raise to him the anthem: 'Glory to God on high and peace on earth!'
The manger (Luke 2:7) and the star (Matt 2:2) — lowliness and glory together. The Gloria (Luke 2:13-14).
- Scripture
- Luke 2:7, Matt 2:2, Luke 2:13-14
- Imagery & language
- Stable; manger; star; angels.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — lowliness and glory.
- Connection to previous
- Stable and star.
For through this holy incarnation the first curse is removed, and blessed peace shines its pure and gentle light over all creation. So join that heavenly concert, Christians, with one accord, blending your voices to greet your Lord's birthday.
The curse of Gen 3:17-19 undone: 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law' (Gal 3:13). Creation's liberation (Rom 8:19-21) and reconciliation (Col 1:20) begun in the incarnation.
- Scripture
- Gen 3:15-19, Gal 3:13, Rom 8:19-21, Col 1:20
- Imagery & language
- Primal curse removed; peace on creation.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the curse; Gospel — removed.
- Connection to previous
- Curse removed.
Themes
Incarnation Joy and praise Christ's victory Christological affirmation