Phil asked me what my favorite Lutheran hymn is. That’s a no-brainer. “A Mighty Fortress” all the way. Oddly enough, I prefer it in a praise team arrangement, and I don’t think I can say that about any other hymn. This is a hymn you need to stand up and wail on.

My other Lutheran favorites—it will not surprise you to know—are Scandinavian hymns. Below is one I always think of as Norwegian, but in fact it’s Danish, the work of Bishop Hans Adolph Brorson. Its original title is Den Store Hvide Flok, which means “The Great White Host.” I think it’s particularly appropriate for All Saints’ Eve. Exactly the kind of hymn that wouldn’t go over in our day, as it takes it for granted that suffering is a necessary part of life.

The melody is a Norwegian folk tune arranged by THE MAN, Edvard Grieg. YouTube performance here.

BEHOLD THE HOST ARRAYED IN WHITE

Behold the host arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright,

With palms they stand—Who are this band

Before the throne of light?

These are the ransomed throng, the same That from the tribulation came

And in the flood Of Jesus’ blood

Are cleansed from guilt and shame,

And now arrayed in robes made white They God are serving day and night,

And anthems swell Where God doth dwell

‘Mid angels in the height.

On earth despised, beneath the rod, They thro’ the fire of trials trod,

Now clothed in white, They dwell in light,

Are kings and priests to God;

How often in the evil day They here below did weep and pray,

But, conflicts past, Bro’t home at last,

God wiped their tears away;

No hunger there, nor thirst they know, No scorching sun doth work them woe,

The Lamb them feeds, Himself them leads

Where living fountains flow.

O happy saints forever blest! Hail, ye who have attained your rest!

Faithful to death Ye kept the faith

Though ye were sore opprest;

The world ye did renounce of yore, The precious seed ye weeping bore,

Now reap the joy Without alloy

In bliss forevermore;

Lift up your voice, wave palms again, And swell the everlasting song;

All glory be, O God, to Thee,

And to the Lamb belong.

Text: Hans Adolph Brorson (1694-1764), tr. Carl Doving.