"Thy Strong Word"LSB 578/ Franzmann

Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
    At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee,
    While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!​

Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
    Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of Thy salvation,
    Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous;
    Bright with Thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
    And our lives our hopes confess.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

From the cross Thy wisdom shining
    Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might;
From the cross forever beameth
    All Thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia!
    Alleluia without end!

Give us lips to sing Thy glory,
    Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats that shout the hope that fills us,
    Mouths to speak Thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    May the light which Thou dost send
Fill our songs with alleluias,
    Alleluias without end!

God the Father, light-creator,
    To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
    Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
    Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
    Praise the holy Trinity!

Text: Martin H. Franzmann, 1907–76
Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005066
​

Light is such a rich figure of speech found in the Scriptures, pointing to Jesus the light of the world. “Thy Strong Word,” uses this image throughout the text, comparing His word to the light. On October 7, 1954 Martin Franzmann’s new hymn was first sung as a procession for the St. Louis Seminary Commencement, based upon the seminary’s motto, “Light from Above” (Matthew 4:16.) It was sung as a processional hymn at seminary commencement exercises every year from 1955-1997. Verses 3 and 6 were added in 1959 because the hymn wasn’t long enough for a commencement processional.
In the first stanza, the light breaks the physical darkness as God creates the world with the spoken word. In stanza 2 and 3, the light, Jesus, the light of the world, sees us in our sin and gives us life through His holiness. I love the image in stanza 4. Light is shining from the cross. It is shining God’s wisdom – God’s redemption. We are all in darkness, without hope in a dark world, and the cross brings light to us, bringing the only way to heaven. Stanza 5 reminds us that even singing praise to Christ from the heart is only done by the Holy Spirit. He fills our tongues with that light, sharing it with others.
This Sunday, as we celebrate Reformation and sing a powerful arrangement of “Thy Strong Word” with the Choir and brass  (arranged by Carl Schalk), we praise God for His living Word that draws us to Himself.  We Praise Jesus Christ for shining in the darkness. Praise the Holy Trinity!
 
In Christ’s Service,
 
Jennifer Rasch
Music Director
St. Paul Lutheran Church
You have turned my mourning to dancing
Ps 30:11
 
Berger, David Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns  Vol 1, CPH