Chapter C: F. Lochner, c. 1673

346

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

O God, Thou faithful God,
Thou Fount that ever flowest,
Without whom nothing is,
Who all good gifts bestowest,
A pure and healthy frame
O give me and within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unhurt by sin.

2. And grant me, Lord, to do,
With ready heart and willing,
Whate’er Thou shalt command,
My calling here fulfilling;
To do it when I ought,
With all my strength; and bless
The work I thus have wrought,
For Thou must give success.

3. O let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth;
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth;
And grant, when in my place
I must and ought to speak,
My words due power and grace,
Nor let me wound the weak.

4. If dangers gather round,
Still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross
When life is dark and cheerless;
Let me subdue my foe
By words and actions kind;
When counsel I would know,
Good counsel let me find.

5. And let me with all men,
As far as in me lieth,
In peace and friendship live;
And if Thy gift supplieth
Me wealth and honor fair,
Then this refuse me not,
That naught be mingled there
Of goods unjustly got.

6. And if a longer life
Be here on earth decreed me,
And Thou through many a strife
To age at last wilt lead me,
Thy patience in me shed,
Avert all sin and shame,
And crown my hoary head
With pure, untarnished fame.

7. Let me depart this life
Confiding in my Savior;
Do Thou my soul receive,
That it may live forever;
And let my body have
A quiet resting-place
Beside a Christian’s grave;
And let it sleep in peace.

8. And on that solemn day
When all the dead are waking,
Stretch o’er my grave Thy hand,
Thyself my slumbers breaking;
Then let me hear Thy voice,
Change Thou this earthly frame,
And bid me aye rejoice
With those who love Thy name.

J. Heermann, 1630.

347

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

O God, forsake me not!
Thy gracious presence lend me;
Lead Thou Thy helpless child,
Thy Holy Spirit send me
That I my course may run.
Be Thou my Light, my Lot,
My Staff, my Rock, my Shield,—
O God, forsake me not!

2. O God, forsake me not!
Take not Thy Spirit from me
And suffer not the might
Of sin to overcome me;
Increase my feeble faith,
Which Thou Thyself hast wrought;
Be Thou my Strength and Power,—
O God, forsake me not!

3. O God, forsake me not!
Lord, hear my supplication!
In every evil hour
Help me o’ercome temptation;
And when the Prince of hell
My conscience seeks to blot,
Be Thou not far from me,—
O God, forsake me not!

4. O God, forsake me not!
Thy mercy I’m addressing;
O Father, God of Love,
Grant me Thy heavenly blessing
To do the duty which
To me Thou didst allot,
To do what pleaseth Thee,—
O God, forsake me not!

5. O God, forsake me not!
Lord, I am Thine forever.
Grant me true faith in Thee;
Grant that I leave Thee never;
Grant me a blessed end
When my good fight is fought,
Help me in life and death,—
O God, forsake me not!

S. Franck, † 1725; A. Crull, tr.

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