Hymn Book ‎#55

55. That men a godly life might live

1 That men a godly life might live,
God did these Ten Commandments give
By His true servant Moses, high
Upon the Mount of Sinai.
Kyrie eleison.

2 I am thy God and Lord alone,
No other God beside me own;
Put thy whole confidence in me,
And love me in sincerity.
Kyrie eleison.

3 By idle word and speech profane
Take not my holy name in vain;
And praise not aught as good and true
But what thy God doth say and do.
Kyrie eleison.

4 The day keep holy which God blessed,
That thou and all thy house may rest;:
Keep hand and heart from labor free,
That God may have His work in thee.
Kyrie eleison.

5 Give to thy parents honor due,
Obedient be, and loving too,
And help them when their strength decays;
So shall God give thee length of days.
Kyrie eleison

6 Harbor no hatred nor ill will,
Lest hate breed anger, and thou kill;
Be patient and of gentle mood,
And to thine enemy do good.
Kyrie eleison.

7 Be faithful to thy marriage vows,
Thy heart give only to thy spouse;
Keep pure thy life, and, lest thou sin,
Use temperance and discipline.
Kyrie eleison.

8 Steal not; oppressive acts abhor,
Nor wring the life-blood from the poor;
But open wide thy loving hand,
To all the needy in the land.
Kyrie eleison.

9 Bear not false witness, nor belie
Thy neighbor by foul calumny;
Defend his innocence from blame,
And hide with charity his shame.
Kyrie eleison.

10 Thy neighbor's house desire thou not,
His wife, nor aught that he hath got;
But wish that his such good may be,
As thine own heart desires for thee.
Kyrie eleison.

11 God these commandments gave, therein
To show thee, child of man, thy sin,
And make thee also well perceive
How unto God man ought to live.
Kyrie eleison.

12 Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, for we
Our Mediator have in Thee;
Our works can ne'er salvation gain,
They merit only endless pain.
Kyrie eleison.

Text Information

• First Line: That men a godly life might live
• Author: Luther
• Refrain First Line: Kyrie eleison
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1884
• Topic: The Catechism

Tune Information

(No tune information)