Suggested tune: ST. THEODULPH (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN);
Ist Gott für mich, so trete. P. Gerhardt. [Trust in God.] Included in the Frankfurt edition, 1656, of Crüger's Praxis pietatu melica, as No. 380, in 15 stanza of 8 lines, reprinted in Wackernagel's edition of his Geistliche Lieder, No. 63, and Bachmann's edition, No. 79, and included as No. 418 in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851. It is a magnificent hymn of Christian confidence, founded on Romans viii. It was probably suggested by the troublous experiences of his life, but the idea that stanza xiii. refers to his conflict with the Elector is disproved by the fact that the hymn was published in 1656, while the contest did not begin till 1662. Lauxmann, in Koch, viii. 408, quotes Langbecker as saying, “This heroic hymn of Gerhardt's is worthy to be placed side by side with Luther's ‘Ein feste Burg’"; and himself says of it:—
The hymn bears the watchword of the Lutheran Church as Paul gives it, ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?' One thinks of Philip Melanchthon's last words as he, worn out with the manifold conflicts after Luther's death and with many bitter and grievous trials, lay a-dying on April 19, 1560, he once more raised himself in bed and cried ‘If God be for us, who can be against us ?' When one asked him if he wished anything, he replied, 'Nothing, save Heaven!' and gave up his spirit. In the same spirit it has been entitled ‘A Christian hymn of Consolation and of Joy,' and has spoken to the hearts of many troubled ones and strengthened them with new courage for the fight of Faith."
The 15th stanza, "Mein Herze geht in Sprüngen," has been a special favourite in Germany, and Lauxmann, in Koch, relates of it in regard to a well-known German theologian:—
While still young, Professor Auberlen of Basel departed from this life in 1864. This highly gifted and highly cultured witness for the Faith was by an early death compelled to give up his greatly blessed labours, many projects, and a happy family life. On the 2nd of May, a few hours before his death, a friend said to him, “Christ's disciples follow in His pathway, first Death and the Grave, then Resurrection and Ascension." To this he replied, "Of the fear of death, thank God, I know nothing, and can say with Paulus Gerhardt:
’Ist Gott für mich, so trete
Gleich alles wider mich.'"
In the same night (his last upon earth) he repeated stanza xv. of this hymn. Soon after, his light, as a taper, quietly went out.
Translations in common use:—
1. If God be on my side. A good translation, omitting stanzas iv.-vi., by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 130. Included, abridged, in Holy Song, 1869, and the Evangelical Hymnal, New York, 1880. Centos from this translation are:—
(1) If Jesus be my friend (stanza i., lines 5), in the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book. 1858, Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872, &c.
(2) Since Jesus is my friend (stanza i., lines 5 altered), in Robinson's Songs for the Sanctuary, N. Y., 1865, Laudes Domini, 1884, &c.
(3) Here I can firmly rest (stanza ii.), in the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, Pennsylvanian Lutheran Church Book, 1808, and other American collections.
2. If God Himself be for me. A good translation, omitting stanzas iv.-vi., x., contributed by R. Massie to the edition, 1857, of Mercer's Church Psalm & Hymn Book, No. 161 (Ox. ed., No. 406, abridged), and included in his own Lyra Domestica, 1864, p. 110. Varying centos are found in the Pennsylvanian Lutheran Church Book, 1868, English Presbyterian Psalms & Hymns.
1867, and the Free Church Hymn Book, 1882. In Laudes Domini, N. Y., 1884, No. 378 begins "I build on this foundation" (stanza iii.).
3. Is God for me? I fear not. A spirited if rather free version, omitting stanzas v., xi., xii., by Mrs. Bevan in her Songs of Eternal Life, 1858, p. 39 ; repeated, abridged, in Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory. In Reid's Praise Book, 1872, it appears as three hymns: (1) as above; (2) No. 622, beginning "There is no condemnation" (stanza vi.), and (3) No. 623, beginning "In heaven is mine inheritance" (stanza x.).
4. Is God for me? t'oppose me. In full, by J. Kelly, in his P. Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs, 1867, p. 208. His translations of stanzas iii., xiv., xv., beginning "My Faith securely buildeth," are No. 414 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880.
Other translations are (1) “Is God for me? what is it," by J. C. Jacobi, 1725, p. 41 (1732, p. 139). Included in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754; and repeated, abridged, in the 1789 and later editions, beginning "Is God my strong salvation"; (2) "The world may rise against me round" and "The world may fall beneath my feet," translations of stanzas i., xiii., by Mrs. Stanley Carr in her translation of Wildenhahn's Paul Gerhardt, 1845 (1856, pp. 173,174). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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