[lightman]

Another hymn ruined in ELW. The fourth stanza was removed altogther; and in stanza 3 the “winged squadrons” (LBW) or “angel armies” (LW/LSB) have been disarmed into merely the “hosts of angels”. Harmless little critters.

Sorry, this in one Lutheran who knows that we are at WAR every day against sin.

[Charles Henrickson]

in stanza 3 the “winged squadrons” (LBW) or “angel armies” (LW/LSB) have been disarmed into merely the “hosts of angels”. Harmless little critters.

That may have been the intent, but actually, properly understood, "hosts" still refers to angelic warriors.

The original text was "winged squadrons," btw.

[Charles Henrickson]

TLH (1941) and LSB (2006) have “angel armies.” LW (1982) has the original “winged squadrons.”

[lightman]

“Evangelical Lutheran Worship” ping.