Lutheran Book of Worship ‎#560

560. Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices

1 Oh, that I had a thousand voices
To praise my God with thousand tongues!
My heart, which in the Lord rejoices,
Would then proclaim in grateful songs
To all, wherever I might be,
What great things God has done for me!

2 O all you pow'rs that he implanted,
Arise, keep silence now no more;
Put forth the strength that God has granted!
Your noblest work is to adore!
O soul and body, join to raise
With heartfelt joy our maker's praise!

3 You forest leaves so green and tender
That dance for joy in summer air,
You meadow grasses, bright and slender,
You flow'rs so fragrant and so fair,
You live to show God's praise alone.
Join me to make his glory known!

4 All creatures that have breath and motion,
That throng the earth, the sea, the sky,
Come, share with me my heart's devotion,
Help me to sing God's praises high!
My utmost pow'rs can never quite
Declare the wonders of his might!

5 Creator, humbly I implore you
To listen to my earthly song
Until that day when I adore you,
When I have joined the angel throng
And learned with choirs of heav'n to sing
Eternal anthems to my king!

Text Information

• First Line: Oh, that I had a thousand voices
• Title: Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices
• Author: Johann Mentzer, 1658-1734
• Meter: 9 8 9 8 9 8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1978
• Topic: Celebration, Jubilation; Heaven
• Source: Tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941
• Copyright: Tr. © 1941 Concordia Publishing House
• Notes: Now Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE
• Composer: Johann B. König, 1691-1758
• Meter: 9 8 9 8 9 8
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: Setting © 1953 Württembergisches Choralbuch