Theodore Brown Hewitt · 89 of 194

235: Soll ich meinem Gott nicht singen.

Soll ich meinem Gott nicht singen.--(Goed. 235.)

[Thanksgiving.] Cf. Koch, IV, 91 ff.

One of Gerhardt's finest hymns, setting forth God's love in His creation, redemption and sanctification of the world, His care in trouble. It closes with a prayer which R. Massie renders:

The hymn was included in the 5th ed., Berlin, 1653, and in the Frankfurt ed., 1656, of Crü. Praxis, no. 230; thence in Wackernagel: no. 81; Bachmann: no. 60; Unv. L. S.: 1851, no. 722.

English Versions:

1. Shall I not his praise be singing.

Dr. Mills in his Horae Germanicae, 1845, p. 141, and 1856, p. 195.

This is a mediocre version, as it misses the characteristic points of the German. His stanzas II, IV-VII beginning "As the eagle fondly hovers," were included in the Amer. Luth. Gen. Synod's Collection, 1850-52, no. 35.

2. Shall I not sing praise to Thee.

A full and good translation by Miss Winkworth in her Lyra Ger., 1st Series, 1855; p. 200; also, omitting stanzas III-VI, VIII in her C. B. for England, 1863, no. 10. Included in full in Cantate Domino, Boston, U. S. A., 1859.

3. I will sing my Maker's praises.

A good translation omitting stanzas VI, VIII, contributed by R. Massie to the 1857 ed. of Mercer's C. P. & H. Bk., no. 185, reprinted in his own Lyra Domestica, 1864.

4. Can I fail my God to praise.

A translation of stanzas I, III, IV, by F. C. C., as no. 218, in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864.

5. Should I not, in meek adoring.

A translation of stanzas I-III by M. W. Stryker in his Hymns & Verses, 1883, p. 38, and Christian Chorals, 1885, no. 36.

6. Can I cease, my God, from singing.

In Lyra Davidica, 1708, p. 22.

7. Shan't I sing to my Creator.

J. C. Jacobi, 1732, p. 153. Repeated in the Moravian Hymn Books, 1754-1886, in some editions beginning, "I will sing to my Creator."

8. Shall I not my God be praising.

J. Kelly, 1867, p. 240.

Selected Stanzas:

Dr. Mills in his Horae Germanicae, 1856.

Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863.

M. W. Stryker, 1882, in his Christian Chorals, 1885.

Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud.--(Goed. 239.)

(Cf. p. 131 ff.)