[Steven Avery]

Hi Folks,

Martin Luther is referenced in the Psalm 12 discussion. Today we have the English translation of the commentary and the full text of the hymn (which is usually the only reference).

http://books.google.com/books?id=TUYEAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA41

A manual of the Book of psalms: or, The subject-contents of all the Psalms by Martin Luther - translated by Henry Cole (1837)

This is a prayer containing a heavy complaint against them, who, introduce human doctrines instead of the word of God, and who, afterwards, by various new traditions and forms of worship disturb the church, and fill all things with a white-wash show of religion, and with the outward daubing of Pharisaism and hypocrisy, so that wicked men and hypocrites reign on every side, as the last verse complains. For when human doctrines have once invaded the church, they go on to rage far and wide, and spread in all directions like a cancer; there is no end to their corruption and destructive influence ; they take possession of all things and wonderfully vex and torment consciences: so that the number of the true saints and of those that truly fear God is few and small indeed : of this the infinite variety of papistical hypocrisy affords a manifest example.

But we are consoled and comforted under all these afflictions by the consideration that God always raises up in his church, sometimes in this place and sometimes in that, his salvation; that is, his word and gospel ; which, while the prophets, apostles, and other ministers throughout the world, boldly and plainly teach against all heresy, they detect and bring to light false doctrines, and overturn all false worship; for where the salvation of God is, (that is, the saving word of Christ and his gospel) it burns up and consumes, like a suddenly-kindled fire, all the chaff and straw of human traditions, and delivers oppressed consciences.

This, however, never takes place without afflictions, and the cross in various forms. But as gold and silver are proved by the fire, so the true knowledge and purity of the word is not preserved in the church but by means of the truly spiritual and godly, who for the word's sake are exercised without and within by Satan, with various temptations: for these, like gold, are proved in the fire, and thus grow daily and flourish in the knowledge of the gospel, and the great things of God.

Now Luther's commentary is not the softest, clearest read, yet it is sensible. Here are the two critical phrases for our discussion of his application.

we are consoled and comforted ... God always raises up in his church, sometimes in this place and sometimes in that, his salvation; that is, his word and gospel ;

the true knowledge and purity of the word is not preserved in the church but by means of the truly spiritual and godly

Note especially that Martin Luther is discussing how the purity of the word is preserved.

And here is what is said about the Martin Luther hymn, again with the truth being preserved.

http://www.wayoflife.org/otimothy/tl040003.htm
Psalm 12:7 and Bible Preservation - David Cloud
(from Peter Van Kleeck)

"Martin Luther's German Bible ... Following the arrangement of this Psalm, Luther penned a hymn, two stanzas of which reflect his understanding of verse 6 and 7: ...

"Thy truth thou wilt preserve, O Lord, from this vile generation..."

In poetic form, Luther grasps the significance of this verse both for the preservation of those who are oppressed and for the Word of God. The two-pronged significance of this interpretation to both people and God's words in Luther's Psalter was to have wide-ranging significance in the English Bible tradition.

And in fact, the hymm is a very pleasant and solid hymn, with application to our current discussions ! The first link is for the musically inclined.

http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=c...html&Itemid=27
Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh’ darein.
Look down, O Lord, from Heaven behold.

http://books.google.com/books?id=RCtIBt5q_7QC&pg=PA42
Hymns of Martin Luther

http://www.ctsfw.edu/etext/luther/hy...ml/behold.homl

"Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Text From:
THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER
(New York: Charles Scribner'sSons, 1883), p. 7

1. Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold,
And let thy pity waken!
How few the flock within thy fold,
Neglected and forsaken!
Almost thou'lt seek for faith in vain,
And those who should thy truth maintain
Thy Word from us have taken.

2. With frauds which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On thy pure doctrine grounded;
And, whilst they gleam with outward show,
They lead thy people to and fro,
In error's maze astounded.

3. God surely will uproot all those
With vain deceits who store us,
With haughty tongue who God oppose,
And say, "Who'll stand before us?
By right or might we will prevail;
What we determine cannot fail,
For who can lord it o'er us?"

4. For this, saith God, I will arise,
These wolves my flock are rending;
I've heard my people's bitter sighs
To heaven my throne ascending:
Now will I up, and set at rest
Each weary soul by fraud opprest,
The poor with might defending.

5. The silver seven times tried is pure
From all adulteration;
So, through God's word, shall men endure
Each trial and temptation:
Its worth gleams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross,
It shines through every nation.

6. Thy truth thou wilt preserve, O Lord,
From this vile generation;
Make us to lean upon thy word,
With calm anticipation.
The wicked walk on every side
When, 'mid thy flock, the vile abide
In power and exaltation.
__________________________________________________ __________
Notes:
Text: Psalm 12-"Salvum me fac, Domine.
Hymn II from "The Hymns of Martin Luther"
Author: Martin Luther
Translated by: Frances Elizabeth Cox
Titled: "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sich' darein"
1st Melody: "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her,", 1524
Harmony: A. Haupt, 1869
2nd Melody: from Klug's Gesanbuch, 1543
Harmony: A. Haupt, 1869
1st Published in:"Eight Songs"
Town: Wittenberg, 1524
__________________________________________________ _________

Shalom,
Steven