A Hymn for Luke 5:1-11

Appropriate for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

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I have written a hymn based on today’s Gospel text, Luke 5:1-11. It is written to the tune of “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” (LSB 487), a marvelous Easter hymn written by John of Damascus (A.D. 696-754). I will let the hymn (hopefully) speak for itself, and feel free to share it wherever you’d like:

1 “Come, O fishermen, and be
Fishers of My people;
You will preach in every land,
From the highest steeple:
Thus proclaim to My dear Church,
“Christ is Lord and Savior!”
And, through Word and Sacrament,
Bring to them My favor.

2 “No more shall you fish the seas
Of unyielding waters;
Come, and faithful shepherds be
Of My sons and daughters.
From the terror of their sins
They have been forgiven,
And the marks of My own grace
Through faith they are given.

3 “Go, then, preach to them and say,
“Christ, the Lord, has saved you,
And, as on the eagle’s wings,
He alone has stayed you.””
Fear not, Christian friends, rejoice:
Christ, our Lord, is near us,
And with gifts of grace He brings
Heavenly joy to cheer us!

4 Though the penitent will say,
“Leave from me, O Savior,
For I am unworthy, Lord,
That You grant me favor,”
Christ will freely give His grace
Through baptismal waters
And the altar’s sacred gifts
To His sons and daughters.

5 Alleluia is the song
Of unending gladness!
Let us sing with cheerful voice,
“Christ has vanquished sadness!”
He has called us from our sin
Into grace resplendent,
And one day the Church will share
Heaven’s joy transcendant!