Comfort Comfort Now My People
Comfort, comfort now my people
This hymn embodies the Advent theme of God's comfort through Christ's coming, emphasizing the preparation of hearts to receive the Messiah through repentance and faith. It reflects Lutheran theology of Law (conviction of sin through John the Baptist's preaching) and Gospel (comfort through Christ's forgiveness).
History & Background
Originally composed in German as 'Tröstet, tröstet meine Völker' by Johannes Olearius in 1661, appearing in his hymnal Geistliche Singkunst. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her Chorale Book for England (1863) and became the standard version in Lutheran hymnals.
This song is a versification of Isaiah 40:1-5, the passage that opens Scripture References the final large group of prophecies in Isaiah 40-66. Many of these st. 1 = Isa. 40:1-2 prophecies express consolation and hope thatJudah’s exile in st. 2 = Isa. 40:3-4 Babylon is almost over. That is certainly the tone of 40:1-5—words st. 3 = Isa. 40:3-5 of comfort forecasting a new reign but also words that call for proper preparation—that is, repentance. Johannes Olearius (b. Halle, Germany, 1611; d. Weissenfels, Germany, 1684) originally versified the passage in German in honor of Saint John the Baptist Day and published it in his Geistliche Singe-Kunst (1671), a collection of more than twelve hun dred hymns—three hundred of them by Olearius himself. Born into a family of Lutheran theologians, Olearius received his education at the University of Wittenberg and later taught theology there. He was ordained a Lutheran pastor and appointed court preacher to Duke August of Sachsen-Weissenfels in Halle and later to Duke Johann Adolph in Weissenfels. Olearius wrote a commentary on the entire Bible, published various devotional books, and produced a translation of the Imitatio Christi by Thomas a Kempis. In the history of church music Olearius is mainly remembered for his hymn collection, which was widely used in Lutheran churches. Olearius’s text was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) and published in her Chorale Book for England (1863); the first line originally read “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People.” Winkworth is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting 330 BIBLE SONGS women’s rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used in many modern hymnals. Her work was published in two series of Lyra Germanica (1855,1858) and in The Chorale Book for England (1863), which included the appropriate German tune with each text as provided by Sterndale Ben
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 122
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 108
- Glory to God — 87
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 29
- Lutheran Service Book — 347
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 76
- Lutheran Worship — 28
- New Century Hymnal — 101
- Psalter Hymnal — 194
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 61
- Voices Together — 188
Translation
Liturgical Use
Mission services; ordination services; Epiphany; Pentecost; Ascension. The chorus alone can be used as an acclamation, especially in informal services, or it can be used as a frame to surround another hymn such as “Sing Praise to the Lord” (466), or, if transposed to C major, added to Psalm 93 or 97.
Bulletin Note
Composed by Johannes Olearius in 1661, this Advent hymn draws deeply from Isaiah 40 and the ministry of John the Baptist. It exemplifies Lutheran theology's movement from conviction of sin to the consolation of Christ.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Advent proclamation of Law and Gospel: John's voice demands repentance while Christ's coming delivers the comfort of forgiveness, making it a perfect musical echo of the kerygma.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law's accusation answered by Gospel promise: God's absolute pardon and Christ's sufficient redemption transform mourning into comfort and restore creation's proper order
Themes
God's comfort and consolation Forgiveness of sins Messianic hope Preparation for Christ Divine mercy