The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#499

499. For help, O whither shall I flee?

1 For help, O whither shall I flee?
Who now to peace will guide me?
To none, dear Savior, but to Thee,
Can I with hope confide me.
'Tis Thine to give the weary rest,
The mourning soul in Thee is blest,--
Help, Jesus, the afflicted!

2 My sin, O Lord, is now my grief,
Against my will it rages:
Thy grace alone an bring relief,
While sin its warfare wages,
All that I need is known to Thee,
And now a part myself can see,--
Help, Jesus, the sin-burdened!

3 Good Shepherd, bearest Thou the weak?
Sustain me in my weakness!
Thou great Physician of the sick,
Heal Thou my moral sickness!
A prey to death I helpless fall,--
For health and strength to Thee I call,
Save, Jesus, or I perish!

4 To those who trust Thee--"Nothing fear?
I am the life!"--Thou criest;
Seeks not my soul, with strong desire,
The life which Thou suppliest?
Though all my sorrows Thou canst lead,
In death provide for every need--
Help, Jesus, the confiding.

5 I would do good, but still I fail,--
Must I thus always waver?
What grief it gives Thou knowest well.
Who shall my soul deliver,
And set the salve for ever free
From sin and death to live with Thee?--
I thank Thee, God, through Jesus!

Text Information

• First Line: For help, O whither shall I flee?
• Author: J. Neander (1680)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity; The Church Year: Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity

Tune Information

• Name: [For help, O whither shall I flee?]
• Composer: Johann Walther (1524)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7.