I'm really fond of all the hymns that were written by the Anabaptist martyr's in the 16th century Switzerland (and elsewhere). The most notable (and my favorite) comes from George Blaurock, Christian missionary and a leader of the Swiss Brethren, on occassions in 1525 and later, when arrested, lifted up his voice in hymns to God while being led away to torture and imprisonment; finally when facing death in 1529 he wrote and sang his Schwanenlied,
"Darum so will ich singen,
Zu Lob dem Namen dein,
Und ewiglich verkunden
Die Gnad, die mir erschien,"
"Therefore will I be singing
In blessing of Thy name,
Eternally praise bringing
Of grace that to me came,"
-- Ausbund No. 30; and The Christian Hymnary No. 417. I've kept it short since there are 13 parts in total to this hymn, which is not an uncommon thing for the hymns written by these 16th century martyr's.
In midst the flames of the stake that devoured his mortal body, George Blaurock glorified his Maker who "giveth songs in the night!" Oh to take on this final baptism with such joy and worship, and utter reverence for the Almighty Jehovah God!
for Jesus' sake,
Stephen
|