"To Shepherds, as they watched by Night"
                         by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
                                       Text From:
                       THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER
        (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 66-67



        1. To shepherds, as they watched by night,
        Appeared a troop of angels bright;
        Behold the tender babe, they said,
        In yonder lowly manger laid.

        2. At Bethlehem, in David's town,
        As Micah did of old make known;-
        'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,
        Who doth to all salvation bring.

        3. Rejoice ye, then, that through his Son
        God is with sinners now at one;
        Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,
        Your brother is th' eternal Good.

        4. What harm can sin and death then do?
        The true God now abides with you:
        Let hell and Satan chide and chafe,
        God is your fellow-ye are safe.

        5. Not one he will nor can forsake
        Who him his confidence doth make:
        Let all his wiles the tempter try,
        You may his utmost powers defy.

        6. You must prevail at last, for ye
        Are now become God's family:
        To God forever give ye praise,
        Patient and cheerful all your days.

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        Notes:
        Hymn XXXII from "The Hymns of Martin Luther"
        Author: Martin Luther
        Translated by: Richard Massie
        Titled: "Von Himmel kam der Engel Schaar."
        Melody: 1543
        Tune: "Vom Himmel hoch."
        1st Published in: Klug's "Gesangbuch", 1543
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        by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain.  You may
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        comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther
        Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

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