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Faith that worketh by love

Who keepeth not God's word, yet saith

Translator: Catherine Winkworth; Author: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Tune: MEIRINGEN
Published in 3 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Who keepeth not God’s Word, yet saith,
I know the Lord, is wrong;
In him is not that blessèd faith
Through which the truth is strong;
But he who hears and keeps the Word,
Is not of this world, but of God.

2. The faith His Word hath caused to shine
Will kindle love in thee;
More wouldst thou know of things divine,
Deeper thy love must be;
True faith not only gives thee light,
But strength to love and do the right.

3. Jesus hath washed away our sin,
And we are children now;
Who feels such hope as this within,
To evil cannot bow;
Rather with Christ all scorn endure,
So we be like our maker pure!

4. For he doth please the Father well
Who simply can obey;
In him the love of God doth dwell
Who steadfast keeps His way;
A daily active life of love,
Such fruits a living faith must prove.

5. He is in God, and God in him,
Who still abides in love;
’Tis love that makes the cherubim
Obey and praise above;
For God is love, the loveless heart
Hath in His life and joy no part.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7558

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 >

Author: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott, son of Christian Gellert, pastor at Hainichen in the Saxon Harz, near Freiberg, was born at Hainichen, July 4, 1715. In 1734 he entered the University of Leipzig as a student of theology, and after completing his course acted for some time as assistant to his father. But then, as now, sermons preached from manuscript were not tolerated in the Lutheran Church, and as his memory was treacherous, he found himself compelled to try some other profession. In 1739 he became domestic tutor to the sons of Herr von Lüttichau, near Dresden, and in 1741 returned to Leipzig to superintend the studies of a nephew at the University. He also resumed his own studies. He graduated M.A. 1744; became in 1745 private tutor or l… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Who keepeth not God's word, yet saith
Title: Faith that worketh by love
German Title: Wer Gottes Wort nicht hält
Author: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Translator: Catherine Winkworth
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #7558
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #7558

Include 2 pre-1979 instances
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