Lutheran Worship ‎#235

235. As Surely as I Live, God Said

1 As surely as I live, God said,
I would not see the sinner dead.
I want him turned from error’s ways,
Repentant, living endless days.

2 To us therefore Christ gave command:
"Go forth and preach in ev'ry land;
Bestow on all my pard'ning grace
Who will repent and mend their ways.

3 "All those whose sins you thus remit
I truly pardon and acquit,
And those whose sins you will retain
Condemned and guilty shall remain.

4 "What you will bind, that bound shall be;
What you will loose, that shall be free;
To my dear Church the keys are giv'n
To open, close the gates of heav'n."

5 The words which absolution give
Are his who died that we might live;
The minister whom Christ has sent
Is but his humble instrument.

6 When ministers lay on their hands,
Absolved by Christ the sinner stands;
He who by grace the Word believes
The purchase of his blood receives.

7 All praise to you, O Christ, shall be
For absolution full and free,
In which you show your richest grace;
From false indulgence guard our race.

8 Praise God the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
As was, is now, and so shall be
World without end, eternally!

Text Information

• First Line: As surely as I live, God said
• Title: As Surely as I Live, God Said
• Author: Nikolaus Herman, c. 1480-1561
• Translator: Matthias Loy, 1828-1915 (alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1982
• Topic: Confession

Tune Information

• Name: ST. LUKE
• Composer: Jeremiah Clarke, 1669-1707
• Meter: LM
• Key: f minor
• Copyright: Arrangement: Copyright 1982 Concordia Publishing House.