1 Preserve in fullest measure
Thy truth to us, O Lord;
Shield well Thy kingdom's treasure,
Its wealth to us afford.
Keep Thou our faith from waning,
And hope's fair banners bright.
That we, sweet comfort gaining,
Be saved from error's night.
2 Preserve Thy wondrous glory
And turn against the foe;
Send forth the Gospel story
And let its knowledge grow.
To ev'ry erring nation
Thy saving grace reveal.
That men in ev'ry station
May heed its strong appeal.
3 Preserve what Thou hast founded
Upon a rock secure;
Thou Tow'r of strength unbounded,
Lend us protection sure.
The Church Thy help engageth
When foes around her throng;
So when the battle rageth,
Be Thee her fortress strong.
4 Preserve to us forever
Thy saving Word, O Lord,
And may it fail us never,
But light and truth afford.
O may its living waters
Refresh both heart and soul
of all Thy sons and daughters
Till they have reached the goal.
5 Preserve, when storms are raging,
Thy little flock from woe;
De Thou, our fears assuaging,
Thy help on us bestow.
Direct Thy ship, O Master,
Thro' waves and tempests sore,
That we without disaster
May reach yon peaceful shore.
Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #31
Gryphius, Andreas, was born Oct. 2, 1616, at Gross-Glogau, in Silesia. He was educated at the School at Fraustadt, Silesia, 1631-34, and the Gymnasium at Danzig, 1634-36. After being for some time family tutor in the house of Baron Georg von Schönborn, near Fraustadt (who crowned him as a poet in 1637), he was forced by the Counter Reformation in Silesia to find refuge in Holland. He matriculated as a student at Leyden in 1638, and was afterwards till 1643 University Lecturer. Thereafter he accompanied the son of a rich Stettin burgess and two Pomeranian noblemen in a tour through France, Italy, Holland, and South Germany, and then, in the end of 1647, settled in Fraustadt. In 1650 he was appointed syndicus of the principality of Glogau, a… Go to person page >
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