Christian Hymns ‎#234

234. If God Himself be for me

1 If God Himself be for me,
I may a host defy,
For when I pray, before me
My foes confounded fly.
If Christ, my Head and Master,
Befriend me from above,
What foe or what disaster
Can drive me from His love?

2 This I believe--yea, rather,
In this I make my boast,
That God is my dear Father,
The Friend who loves me most;
And that, whate'er betide me,
My Saviour is at hand,
Through stormy seas to guide me,
And bring me safe to land.

3 I build on this foundation,
That Jesus and His blood
Alone are my salvation,
The true eternal good:
Without Him, all that pleases
Is valueless on earth:
The gifts I owe to Jesus
Alone my love are worth.

4 His Spirit in me dwelleth,
And o'er my mind He reigns.
All sorrow He dispelleth
And soothes away all pains.
He crowns His work with blessing,
And helpeth me to cry
"My Father" without ceasing,
To Him who dwells on high.

5 To mine His Spirit speaketh
Sweet words of holy cheer,
How God, to Him that seeketh
For rest, is always near,
And how He hath erected
A city fair and new,
Where what our faith expected
We evermore shall view.

Text Information

• First Line: If God Himself be for me
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1898
• Topic: Christian Courage; Faith; Gpd the Father, the Creator; Holy Ghost: Indwelling; Christian Joy; Sickness, Death, and Burial
• Notes: P. Gerhardt, 1656. Tr. R. Massie; Norwegian title: Er Gud for mig, saa træde

Tune Information

• Name: IF GOD HIMSELF BE FOR ME
• Composer: J. A. P. Schulz, (1747-1800.)
• Meter: 7, 6.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Norwegian tune name: Er Gud for mig, saa træde