Strive when thou art called of God

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Strive aright when God doth call thee

Author: Johann Joseph Winckler (1703); Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Tune: BATTY (123123)
Published in 21 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Strive aright when God in mercy
His compassion turns to you,
That your soul so long o’er burdened,
Freed from sin might live anew.

2 Strive to enter at the portal,
Walk the narrow path of life;
Here we wander in the valley;
Death abounds with toil and strife.

3 Strive with zeal and passion glowing
In the strength of your first love;
Break the bonds of earth that keep you
From your bright abode above.

4 Battle ‘gainst the power of Satan!
Grow not weary in the fight,
Struggle forward to the kingdom
Of your God in endless light!

5 Trembling, keep your soul from falling;
Prize your ransom more and more;
Daily round your mortal body
Countless dangers hover o’er.

6 Grasp the crown of glory firmly;
God’s own precious gift retain.
Perseverance brings the vict’ry;
Sinful fall brings inward pain.

7 Until death the true and faithful
Constantly shall fight with sin.
Faith unwav’ring is their weapon;
Every victory they’ll win.

8 Faith so true adores the Saviour,
Loves His care and all His ways;
Does not cherish worldly pleasure,
Gives to God alone its praise.

9 Faithfulness will never venture;
Of this world it is aware.
If your treasure is in Heaven,
Then your heart is also there.

10 Ye, who fight, do this consider;
Strive aright and trembling stand!
Daily let your feet move onward
Till you reach the Heav’nly land.

Source: Zion's Harp: a collection of hymns and songs for the Apostolic Christian Church of America #47

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Author: Johann Joseph Winckler

Winckler, John Joseph, a German Pietist, was born at Luckau, in Saxony, December 23, 1670. He was at first a pastor at Magdeburg, then a chaplain in the Protestant army, accompanying the troops to Holland and Italy, and at length returned to Magdeburg and became chief minister of the cathedral. He was no less eminent for his mental culture than for his piety. He was a preacher and writer who had the courage of his convictions, and this quality is notably manifest in the hymn by him found in this collection. He died August 11, 1722. Shall I, for fear of feeble man 225 Hymn Writers of the Church Nutter… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Strive aright when God doth call thee
Title:	Strive when thou art called of God
German Title:	Ringe recht wenn Gottes Gnade
Author:	Johann Joseph Winckler (1703)
Translator:	Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Meter:	7.7.7.7
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain