Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#181

181. Forsake us not - O lord, be near

1 Forsake us not--O Lord be near
Thy Church, when low'ring clouds appear;
That heav'nly light, Thy Word divine;
Continue in our midst to shine.

2 While sin and death around we see,
O grant that we may constant be;
And pure retain, till life is spent,
Thy precious Word and Sacrament.

3 Dear Savior! help, Thy church uphold;
For we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold;
Indue Thy Word with power and grace,
And spread its truth in ev'ry place.

4 Yes! leave us but Thy Word, we pray;
The fatal wiles of Satan stay;
Oh smile upon Thy church: give grace;
And courage, patience, love, and peace.

5 O God! how sin's dread works abound;
Thoughout the earth no rest is found;
And wide has falsehood's spirit spread,
And error boldly rears its head.

6 And ever is there something new
Devised to change Thy doctrines true;
Lord Jesus! as thou still dost reign,
Those vain, presumptuous minds restrain.

7 And as the cause and glory, Lord,
Are Thine, not ours, do Thou afford
Us help and strength and constancy,
And keep us ever try to Thee.

8 Thy word shall fortify us hence,
It is Thy Church's sure defense;
O let us in its power confide,
That we may seek no other guide.

9 Here on Thy Word in faith we lean,
There Thou shalt be forever see;
And when our journey, endeth here,
Receive us, Lord, in glory there.

Text Information

• First Line: Forsake us not - O lord, be near
• Author: Nicolaus Selnecker (1611)
• Translator: L. Heyl (1858)
• Meter: L. M. No. 1
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: The Word; Fourth Sunday after Epiphany; First Sunday in Lent; Eighth Sunday after Trinity
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Alternate Tune: HURLSEY, #95; From the German text: Ach belib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ

Tune Information

• Name: WEIMAR (Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend)
• Meter: L. M. No. 1
• Key: G Major
• Source: Pensum Sacrum, Görlitz, 1648
• Notes: Public Domain.