Halleluja! Halleluja!
The original is a one-stanza hymn. The author, Gottlieb Pfeffel, was born at Colmar in Alsace. His literary work consisted primarily of the writing of fables and hymns for instruction in the Colmar schools. At the age of 21 he became totally blind, but carried on, despite the handicap, a magnificent life work as president of the schools at Colmar. He was also the founder of a nursery for Protestant children.
Christian George Haas, translator of the hymn, was a minister in the Evangelical Church. After graduating from Eden Theological Seminary, he held pastorates in St. Paul and in Buffalo, and edited the Hymnal of the Evangelical Church, 1898.
Two stanzas were added to Pfeffel’s hymn, by G. F. W. Schultz:
Sohn Gottes! Sohn Gottes! Sohn Gottes!
Deinen Namen preist unser Lobgesang!
Amen. Amen.
Du kamst aus Lieb’ zu uns herab,
Siegtest über Tod und Grab,
Alle zu erlösen,