574. O God, My Faithful God

1 O God, my faithful God,
true fountain ever flowing,
without whom nothing is,
all perfect gifts bestowing:
give me a healthy frame,
and may I have within
a conscience free from blame,
a soul unstained by sin.

2 Give me the strength to do
with ready heart and willing
whatever you command,
my calling here fulfilling.
Help me do what I should
in all that comes my way;
I know that you are good,
you bless those who obey.

3 Keep me from saying words
that later need recalling;
guard me lest idle speech
may from my lips be falling;
but when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
then to my words give grace
lest I offend the weak.

4 When dangers gather round,
O keep me calm and fearless;
help me to bear the cross
when life seems dark and cheerless.
Help me, as you have taught,
to love both great and small,
and by your Spirit's might
to live at peace with all.

Text Information
First Line: O God, my faithful God
Title: O God, My Faithful God
Author: Johann Heermann (1630)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863, alt.)
Meter: 67 67 66 66
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture: ;
Topic: Will of God; Walk with God; Obedience (2 more...)
Tune Information
Name: DARMSTADT
Composer: Ahasuerus Fritsch (1679)
Harmonizer: Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750
Meter: 67 67 66 66
Key: C Major
Source: Cantata 45, harm. in


Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 3 = Ps. 141:3, Isa. 50:4

During the difficulties of the Thirty Years' War in the late 1620s, Johann Heermann (PHH 386) wrote the original German text (O Gott, du frommer Gott") in his Silesian home of Koben. Entitled "A Daily Prayer," the text was published in Heermann's Devoti Musica Cordis (1630). Nineteenth-century German hymnologist A. F. W. Fischer has said of this text, "It is one of the poet's most widely used and signally blessed hymns and has been not unjustly called his 'master song.' If it is somewhat 'home baked,' yet it is excellent, nourishing bread. It gives training in practical Christianity … in godly living."

Catherine Winkworth (PHH 194) translated the text into English and published it in her Lyra Germanica (second series, 1858). Our version includes the original stanzas 1-4. The text is a prayer for a Christlike mind (st. 1), obedience to our Lord's commands (st. 2), proper speech (st. 3), and a life of patience and peace (st. 4).

Liturgical Use:
As a hymn of petition for Christian virtues either after the sermon or as part of a cycle of sung and spoken prayers; profession of faith; ordination/commissioning services.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Composed by Ahasuerus Fritsch (b. Mücheln on the Geissel, near Merseburg, Germany, 1629; d. Rudolstadt, Germany, 1701), DARMSTADT first appeared in his Himmels-Lust und Welt-Unlust (1679). The melody was altered when it was published in the 1698 Darmstadt Geistreiches Gesangbuch and in several other eighteenth-century German hymnals. The tune is also known as O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT (named after the Heermann text) and as WAS FRAG ICH NACH DER WELT (named after an association with a text in the Darmstadt hymnal).

Fritsch grew up during the turbulent time of the Thirty Years' War, and his family was often forced to flee for their lives. He was educated at the University of Jena and later became chancellor of that university. He also served as president of the church's consistory in Rudolstadt and edited two collections of hymns.

The harmonization comes from Cantata 45 by Johann S. Bach (PHH 7); he also used the tune in cantatas 64, 94, and 133. This noble tune has short phrases that should be sung in four long lines; observe small fermatas at the end of each of the first two lines. Use solid organ tone to support congregational singing in unison or in parts. Keep the energy lively.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook


Media
MIDI file: MIDI
MIDI file: MIDI Preview
(Faith Alive Christian Resources)
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

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