Exodus
20:1-17- The hymn, These Are the Holy Ten Commandments (LSB
581) Recall the Lord’s requirement of faithfulness to His Law. A good
review of the Ten Commandments. Written by Luther the hymn was intended for
instruction especially the youth. It
appears that Luther pioneered the concept of instruction set to music which
five centuries later is still a successful technique in teaching the faith.
The 10
Commandments for personal reflection
1 These are the holy Ten Commands. God gave to us by Moses' hands.
2 "I am alone your God, the Lord;
3 "Do not My holy name disgrace,
4 "You shall observe the worship day.
5 "You are to honor and obey.
6 "You shall not murder, hurt, nor hate;
7 "Be faithful to your marriage vow;
8 "You shall not steal or take away.
9. “Bear no false witness not defame.
10. “You shall
not crave your neighbor’s house
In the final
two stanzas Luther eloquently and sisinctly summarizes both the Law and Gospel
in four short lines.
“You have this Law to see therein “Our works cannot
salvation gain
That you have not been free from sin They merit only endless
pain
But also that you clearly see Forgive
us, Lord! To Christ we flee
How put toward
God life should be.” Who
pleads for us endlessly.”
To which we pray “Have Mercy, LORD!
A prayer for
God to guide us – Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with
Your most gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help, that in all
our works begun, continued, and ended in You we may glorify Your holy name and
finally, by Your mercy, obtain eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our
Lord.
A prayer for
steadfast faith – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, of Your
tender love towards us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in
Him we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that
we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and come to life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. - [2]18 September, 2021
[1] “The Crucifixion” Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[2] Collects for the Lord’s Guidance and a steadfast faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment