Christian Hymns ‎#245

245. O God, Thou faithful God

1 O God, Thou faithful God,
Thou Fountain ever-flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing;
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 And let me promise naught
But I can keep it truly,
Abstain from idle words,
And guard my lips e'er duly;
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;
To overcome my foe
With words and actions kind;
When counsel I would know,
Good counsel let me find.

5 And let me be with all
In peace and friendship living,
As far as Christians may;
And if Thou aught art giving
Of wealth and honors fair,
O 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 ripe old age wilt lead me,
Thy patience in me shed,
Avert all sin and shame,
And crown my hoary head
With pure, untarnished fame.

7 Let nothing here on earth
Me from my Saviour sever;
And when I die, O take
My soul to Thee forever;
And let my body have
A little space to sleep
Beside my kindred's grave,
And o'er it vigil keep.

8 And when the Day is come,
And all the dead are waking,
O reach me down Thy hand,
Thyself my slumbers breaking;
Then let me hear Thy voice,
And change this earthly frame,
And bid me aye rejoice
With those who love Thy name.

Text Information

• First Line: O God, Thou faithful God
• German Title: O Gud, du fromme Gud
• Meter: 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1898
• Topic: Friendship; Holiness; Christian Joy; The Christian Life; Prayer: General Petition; Sickness, Death, and Burial; Christian Work
• Notes: J. Heermann, 1630. Tr. Winkworth.

Tune Information

• Name: O GOD, THOU FAITHFUL GOD
• Meter: 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6.
• Key: F Major
• Source: Pub. at Lüneburg, 1648
• Notes: Norwegian tune name: O Gud, du fromme Gud.