432. Proper 17 (Series B)

The lessons for this service, a Sunday after Trinity during Aug. 28-Sept. 3, are Deuteronomy 4:1-2 skipping to 6-9, Ephesians 6:10-20 and Mark 7:14-23. The tune is O DER ALLES HÄTT VERLOREN from Johann A. Freylinghausen’s Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch (Halle, 1705), which ELHB and TLH paired with "Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding." Also, The Concordia Hymnal set "Praise the Savior, now and ever" to a triple-time version of the same tune (there called PRAISE THE SAVIOR), with a repeat sign added after the second phrase. That anomaly aside, it's another example of the high quality of tunes "Hark! a thrilling" attracts to itself (cf. MERTON, FREUEN WIR UNS ALL IN EIN, etc.).

Christ, upon us gird Your armor,
That in You we firmly stand,
Lest the foe, that wily charmer,
Snatch us from Your mighty hand.

Not of flesh and blood the vessels
That our lines besiege and shell,
But demonic pow'rs we wrestle,
Lords of wickedness and hell.

With Your truth the belt about us,
Righteousness our strong cuirass,
Satan's lies can never rout us
Though amid his hosts we pass.

Boot our feet with preparation
Through the gospel, laced with peace;
Quench the arrows of damnation
And faith's shield with strength increase.

With salvation's helm protect us,
And Your Word, the Spirit's sword.
In our utterance direct us,
That through us Your grace be poured.

Praying, preaching, persevering,
Be our speaking bold and pure;
Then, our final conflict nearing,
Of the vict'ry make us sure.