1 God, from all eternity In Thy Son Thou didst elect me; Therefore, Father, graciously In my course to heaven direct me; Send to me Thy Holy Spirit, That His gifts I may inherit.
2 Though alive, I'm dead in sin, To all good things lost by nature; Holy Ghost, change me within, Make of me a new-born creature; For the flesh deserves damnation, And can never gain salvation.
3 Drive away the gloomy night Of erroneous reflection; Quench all thoughts that are not right, Hold my reason in subjection; Grant that I from Thee with yearning Wisdom may be always learning.
4 All desires and thoughts of mine, From my youth, are only evil; Save me by Thy power divine From myself and from the Devil; Give me strength in ample measure, Both to will and do Thy pleasure.
5 A clean heart create in me, Which in Thee, O God, believeth, And at the iniquity Of my sins sincerely grieveth; And when hours of woe betide me, In the wounds of Jesus hide me.
6 As a branchlet in the vine, In my blessèd Lord implant me; Ever of my Head divine To remain a member, grant me; Ever of my Head divine To remain a member, grant me; O let Him, my Lord and Savior, Be my Life and Love forever.
7 Faith, and hope, and charity, Graciously, O Father, give me; Be my Guardian constantly, That no devil e'er may grieve me, Grant me humbleness, and gladness, Peace, and patience, in my sadness.
8 Help me speak what's right and just, And keep silence on occasion; Help me pray, Lord, as I must; Help me bear my tribulation; Help me die, and let my spirit Everlasting life inherit. | Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #247 (1893) Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #343 (1918) |