614. Medicine Hymn

Ignatius of Antioch, to the Ephesians: "...breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, but [which causes] that we should live for ever in Jesus Christ." Tune: WUNDERBARER KÖNIG by Joachim Neander, 1680 ("God Himself is present"). ART: A Russian fresco of Ignatiy Bogonosets, a.k.a. Ignatius of Antioch; dedicated to the public domain.

Medicine enduring,
Blessed life securing,
Come, my bone-bred sickness curing!
See my vices thronging:
Every unclean longing,
God as well as neighbor wronging!
Lamb once slain,
Raised to reign,
Come with grace abounding,
Sin and death confounding!

Blameless having striven,
Yet abused and riven,
Holy body, You have given
Now the last full measure,
That I might this treasure
Take to heart with grateful pleasure.
You who died
Justified
Me, who in believing,
Life am here receiving.

Blood of Christ now pouring,
Pure and fresh, restoring
All who drink with faith adoring:
Heal my conscience stricken,
Cheer the reins that sicken;
Hands and lips to service quicken!
In me flow:
Joy bestow,
Both to You contouring
And to life maturing.