That I may Thine abide unswerving,
That evermore Thy word and will
I may in heart and mind fulfil,
With steadfast love Thy law observing.
TUNE 58.-" Ich ruf zu dir Herr Jesu Christ."
LORD Jesu Christ, I cry to Thee;
I pray: oh hear my crying.
Despair keep far away from me;
Be near, Thy grace supplying.
My heart, O Lord, would choose Thy way;
To Thee I would be living,
Glory giving
To Thee, Thy word obey,
And be to all a blessing.
My Lord and God, I pray to Thee,
Grant me an hope abiding:
Lord, let me not ashamed be,
In ought untrue confiding.
In Thee will I when I go
O Jesu! have affiance
Thou art my confidence;
Such hope shall not repent me.
Lord, from the heart may I forgive;
My foes by love subduing:
Forgive me, Lord: within me live,
My heart, my life renewing.
Lord, be Thy word my food alway ;
Its consolation send me,
And defend me,
So in the evil day
Nought shall from Thee remove me.
In conflict lying mid my foes,
Lord, help my feeble spirit:
My hope doth on Thy grace repose;
Through Thee I strength inherit.
Whate'er assail, Thy hand to all
That for my hurt combineth
Bound assigneth,
Lest peril me befall :
I know Thou wilt not leave me.
TUNE 84.-" Nun danket alle Gott."
NOW let us all to God
Give thankful adoration:
Great things for us He doth,—
Great things for all creation.
He from our earliest breath,
And tender infancy,
With blessings infinite
Doth all our days supply.
By Him th' eternal God,
To us a heart be given
Full of deep inward joy,
Full of the peace of heaven.
Us now and evermore,
Oh may His grace defend;
And from all ill preserve,
Both now and without end.
Unto the Triune God,
The Father, Son, and Spirit,
Who on the throne most high
All praise and power inherit,
As ever was of old,
Praise, honour, glory be,
Now and through every age,
To all eternity.
TUNE 7.-" Allein Gott in der Höh;" or, TUNE 78.
WITH joyful heart your praises bring
To God the fount of blessing:
His uncreated goodness sing;
Him with glad voice confessing:
Our God let all creation bless,
Our aid in danger and distress:
Oh let our thanks adore Him.
Praise God, who to the cross and grave
Hath sent His Son from heaven:
His death, that did the guilty save,
Eternal life hath given.
He hath redeem'd our souls from hell ;
Now peace from God with man doth dwell!
Oh let our thanks adore Him.
Praise God, who by His Spirit's light
To faith our souls awaketh :
Our souls with gifts of grace
He strong, He steadfast maketh.
His word doth light our heavenward way ; His grace inclines us to obey :
Oh let our thanks adore Him.
Ye mighty Seraphim, your praise
Still to the Lord be bringing :
Let all in heaven their voices raise;
Let earth break forth in singing.
Whate'er hath breath shall Him adore-
Him first, Him last, Him evermore :
Oh let our thanks adore Him.
TUNE 91.-"O dass ich tausend Zungen hatte."
OH be unceasing praise ascending
From heart and mouth, my God, to Thee; Oh may my praises never ending
Declare what Thou hast done for me :
Oh may my every breath be praise
Of Thee, whose goodness crowns my days.
O gracious Saviour! praise adoring
For all Thy mercy I will bring :
Thy richest aid upon me pouring,
Thee, my Redeemer, will I sing:
Thy precious blood hath made me free
From Satan, Thine alone to be.
O Holy Ghost! Thy name be blessèd,
For truth our solace from above;
By Thee I am of heaven possessed,
A child of God the Father's love :
Whate'er of good from me doth shine
Thy power hath wrought, Thy light divine.
TUNE 127.-" Wie gross ist das."
HOW bounteous our Creator's blessing!
On every head how freely pour'd!
Oh how shall man such good possessing,
Due thanks refuse to Thee, O Lord?
Oh be Thy love my contemplation;
Each day my thanks renew'd to Thee :
Blest with Thy ceaseless visitation,
Ne'er by my heart forgotten be.
Who with such wonders me upbeareth?
That God who needeth not my praise :
Who me with such long-suffering spareth?
My God, though oft despised His ways.
Who with His peace my conscience stilleth?
Who with His strength doth stay my heart?
Who all my life with goodness filleth?
He who doth aid to all impart.
TUNE 253.- Man Krönt."
NOW upward look to heaven, my spirit, Call'd soon to dwell with God in heaven ; Behold the joy Thou dost inherit !
Behold what bliss to Thee is given ! Thy God to thee hath all assured;
He through His grace will make it thine : Behold the sorrows Christ endured, Thy head to crown with joy divine!
And shall I not give adoration?
And shall I not His goodness own? Shall I not heed His invitation
Who calls me from His heavenly throne?
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