LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW - Brock University

86 LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW IX
modern forms for older English usage. A total of 602 hymns comprises the
hymn section of ELH, approximately 15% of which have no music and only
suggest a hymn tune. Following the order of its predecessor book, The
Lutheran Hymnary, the hymns are organised according to the Sunday of the
church year of the historic lectionary with the addition of a topical listing.
To a person familiar with the hymnody of TLH and LW, the major weakness
of the hymns in this volume is a peculiar quality of hymnody in the
Norwegian tradition, namely, the use of isometric hymn tunes. Nearly 10%
of the hymns make use of the isometric chorale rather than the original
rhythmic form. If this form of the Lutheran chorale were ever adopted in our
church, it would prove to be a serious step backwards. While the ELS has
benefited from the influence of C. F. W. Walther and the Missouri Synod,
who have consistently advocated the use of the rhythmic chorale, it has been
slow to recover and regain the authentic form of the chorale. Setting this
defect aside, though, time and again the strengths of the hymns in ELH
exceed all expectations, proving the hymnal to be a worthy contender of the
Lutheran faith.
One of the distinctive features of the hymnody in ELH is the inclusion
of many new and different hymns. For example, there is a metric
versification of the Athanasian Creed, which would provide an interesting
alternative usage on Trinity Sunday. There are four hymn versions of the Te
Deum, including Luther’s (borrowed from the hymnal of our sister synod in
Australia). The Queen Mum’s favourite hymn, “Praise My Soul the King of
Heaven”, is included, though an easier accompaniment could have been
provided. The hymn “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It” is an excellent
reflection on living the baptismal life. This is a new hymn to the Englishspeaking
world, from the author of “Jesus Sinners Doth Receive”, and “I
Know My Faith is Founded”. A translation of this by Pr Harold Senkbeil of
Wisconsin has recently been made available in our circles. For Martin
Franzmann fans, besides the staples of “Thy Strong Word” and “In Adam
We Have All Been One”, is the rugged “Weary of All Trumpeting” with the
well matched tune by Hugo Distler. For the musically challenged, Luther’s
Ten Commandments hymn is set to “Tallis’ Canon”, while for the more
advanced, the lively rhythms of the original melody is also provided. A
delightful hymn that would be well worth having children memorise, “Fear
and Love Thy God and Lord”, summarises the chief parts of the catechism
in five stanzas. The Real Presence is boldly confessed in a newly translated
hymn on the Lord’s Supper, “O Jesus, at Your Altar Now”, by the Danish
churchman, Thomas Kingo, saying in part, “On this blest table e’er shall be /
Your body / blood once shed for me.”
Another refreshing aspect worth noting about this hymnal is that
compilers resisted the urge to edit lengthy hymns to suit modern tastes.
Hymn stanzas unfamiliar to users of LW and sometimes even TLH have