Every time you pull up "The reformed thoughts of Doug", if your speakers are on, you are greeted by the music of Richard Wagner's Pilgrim's Chorus "Beglückt darf nun" from Tannhäuser . The music and the text were both written by Wagner.
The story centers on the struggle between sacred and profane love and redemption through love. It is not descriptive of Godly love or based on biblical text; Richard Wagner, a brilliant composer and librettist, was not a believing man yet he had enough depth of understanding of salvation to fairly accuretly pen a true meaning in the text of the Pilgrim's Chorus.
In Act III the scene takes place in the valley of the Wartburg castle. An autumn scene. Orchestral music describes the pilgrimage of Tannhäuser. Elizabeth, accompanied by Wolfram, falls on her knees in prayer. She asks the returning pilgrims for news of Tannhäuser, and the pilgrims answer her with the following text:
Once more with joy O my home I may meet
Once more ye fair, flowr'y meadows I greet
My Pilgrim's staff henceforth may rest
Since Heaven's sweet peace is within my breast.
The sinner's cry on high was heard
On high was heard and answered by the Lord
The tears I laid before His shrine
Are turned to hope and joy divine.
O Lord eternal praise be Thine!
The blessed source of Thy mercy overflowing
On souls repentant seek Ye, all-knowing
Of hell and death, I have no fear
O my Lord is ever near
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Forevermore
Wagner actually got it right. He understood that we are all sinners and are seeking the grace that only comes from forgiveness of our sins towards God. We have to repent in faith and ask for forgiveness. Even that will not save you, Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
May all pilgrim's rest in the divine source of overflowing mercy, and all those still caught in their sin, cry unto the Lord of hosts for forgiveness and seek repentance towards God and may God truly save you unto His eternal peace.
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