Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing
Come rejoicing, praises voicing
Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing is a hymn text by Johann Balthasar König (1738) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite translation (multiple translators). Found in lbw 66, lsb 371, tlh 82.
The hymn expresses core Lutheran Christology—the joy of God's incarnation in Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of messianic promise. It emphasizes the accessibility of salvation through the Nativity, presenting Christ's birth as the central redemptive act.
History & Background
The hymn originates from Johann Balthasar König's German text, published in 18th-century Lutheran sources and set to his tune. The English translation is a composite rendering that became standard in American Lutheran hymnals through multiple versions in TLH, LBW, and LSB.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 66
- Lutheran Service Book — 371
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 82
Translation
composite translation (multiple translators)
Bulletin Note
Composed by Johann Balthasar König in 1738, this German hymn exemplifies Lutheran Christology: the Incarnation as fulfillment of messianic longing and the gateway to salvation for all who believe.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes Lutheran Christmas proclamation: the Law shows our need (humanity's darkness), and the Gospel explodes in the Nativity as God's joyful answer—Christ born to bring us peace and salvation.
Overview
A Christmas hymn by Juraj Tranovský, the 'father of Slovak hymnody,' whose Cithara Sanctorum (1636) became the hymnal of Slovak Lutherans for centuries. Its dancing internal rhymes call all to rejoice as Christmas breaks: the Eternal takes human form and lies, as foretold, as the Virgin's Son in the hay (st. 1); the hope of generations has come, praised by angels (st. 2); and the Child is greeted with a chain of titles — Tender Flower, Mighty Tower, Heavenly Treasure — and asked to send his gifts of grace (st. 3). Its presence in TLH likely reflects the Slovak congregations of the Synodical Conference.
Central theme: Joyful Christmas praise of the eternal Lord who became the Virgin's Son, the long-awaited Hope of nations
Structure
Three seven-line stanzas (4.4.7.4.4.7.6.6.11) with internal rhymes. The birth (1) — the long-awaited Hope (2) — titles and prayer (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: the Eternal takes human form; gifts of grace and goodness.
Confessional Connections
'Th' Eternal… human form is taking' — the incarnation of the eternal Son (AC III; Nicene Creed). 'Virgin's Son, as foretold' (Isa 7:14). 'Mighty Tower' — Christ as God's strong name and refuge (Prov 18:10). 'All Thy gifts of grace' (John 1:16).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas Day; Christmas season.
Historical Notes
Tranovský (1591-1637), pastor at Liptovský Mikuláš, published the Cithara Sanctorum in 1636; it remained in use among Slovak Lutherans into the 20th century. The Slovak Synod belonged to the Synodical Conference when TLH was prepared (verify).
About the Tune
GLADNESS (Slovak melody, from the Cithara Sanctorum tradition).
Scripture References
Luke 2:1-14 John 1:14 Isa 7:14 Luke 2:7 Gen 49:10 Hag 2:7 Luke 2:25-32 Luke 2:13-14 Isa 11:1 Song 2:1 Prov 18:10 Matt 13:44 Luke 1:33 John 1:16
Stanza by Stanza
Come rejoicing, giving voice to praise: Christmas Day is breaking; now the Eternal, the Lord most high, is taking human form. On the hay — look! — lies the Virgin's Son as foretold, the precious Infant in the wintry cold.
Luke 2:1-14 (TLH's text). 'The Word became flesh' (John 1:14). 'The virgin shall conceive' (Isa 7:14). The manger and the cold — the poverty of his birth (Luke 2:7).
- Scripture
- Luke 2:1-14, John 1:14, Isa 7:14, Luke 2:7
- Imagery & language
- Christmas breaking; the Eternal; hay; wintry cold.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the incarnation.
- Connection to previous
- Christmas Day.
Many generations waited for him without ceasing; now the angels loudly and proudly praise him, the Hope of the nations. Let us, then, sing gladly and let our songs ring daily as we bring our praises to this holy Child.
The long expectation (Gen 49:10; Hag 2:7, 'the desire of all nations'). Simeon 'waiting for the consolation of Israel' (Luke 2:25-32). The angels' praise (Luke 2:13-14).
- Scripture
- Gen 49:10, Hag 2:7, Luke 2:25-32, Luke 2:13-14
- Imagery & language
- Generations waiting; Hope of nations; angels.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — hope fulfilled.
- Connection to previous
- Hope of nations.
Tender Flower, mighty Tower, Jesus Christ our Savior; heavenly Treasure beyond measure, we love you forever. Lord and King without end, be a friend to our poor hearts now and send us all your gifts of grace and goodness.
'A shoot from the stump of Jesse' (Isa 11:1; Song 2:1) — tender in his humanity; 'the name of the LORD is a strong tower' (Prov 18:10) — mighty in his deity. The treasure hidden in a field (Matt 13:44). 'Of his kingdom there will be no end' (Luke 1:33).
- Scripture
- Isa 11:1, Prov 18:10, Matt 13:44, Luke 1:33, John 1:16
- Imagery & language
- Flower; Tower; Treasure; King.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — titles of the Child.
- Connection to previous
- Titles.
Themes
nativity joy Christ's incarnation incarnational theology salvation announcement shepherd witness