The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#267

267. If God Had Not Been on Our Side

1 If God had not been on our side
And had not come to aid us,
The foes with all their pow'r and pride
Would surely have dismayed us;
For we, His flock, would have to fear
The threat of men both far and near
Who rise in might against us.

2 Their furious wrath, did God permit,
Would surely have consumed us
And as a deep and yawning pit
With life and limb entombed us.
Like men o'er whom dark waters roll
Their wrath would have engulfed our soul
And, like a flood, o'erwhelmed us.

3 Blest be the Lord, who foiled their threat
That they could not devour us;
Our souls, like birds, escaped their net,
They could not overpow'r us.
The snare is broken--we are free!
Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee,
Who madest earth and heaven.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: If God had not been on our side
• Title: If God Had Not Been on Our Side
• German Title: Wer' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit
• Author: Martin Luther (1524)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Psalm 124
• Source: Tr. composite

Tune Information

• Name: WER' GOTT NICHT MIT UNS
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7.
• Key: a minor
• Source: "Gesangbuch," Wittenberg, 1537