All depends on our possessing

Representative Text

1 All depends on our possessing
God's abundant grace and blessing,
though all earthly wealth depart.
They who trust with faith unshaken
in their God are not forsaken
and will keep a dauntless heart.

2 He who to this day has fed me
and to many joys has led me
is and ever shall be mine.
He who ever gently schools me,
he who daily guides and rules me
will remain my help divine.

3 Many spend their lives in fretting
over trifles and in getting
things that have no solid ground.
I shall strive to win a treasure
that will bring me lasting pleasure
and that now is seldom found.

4 When with sorrow I am stricken,
hope anew my heart will quicken;
all my longing shall be stilled.
To his loving-kindness tender
soul and body I surrender,
for on God alone I build.

5 Well he knows what best to grant me;
all the longing hopes that haunt me,
joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt his wisdom never;
as God wills, so be it ever;
I commit to him my way.

6 If my days on earth he lengthen,
he my weary soul will strengthen;
all my trust in him I place.
Earthly wealth is not abiding,
like a stream away is gliding;
safe I anchor in his grace.

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #807

Author: Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. 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 >

Text Information

First Line: All depends on our possessing
German Title: Alles ist an Gottes Segen
Author: Anonymous (1676)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
Meter: 8.8.7.8.8.7
Source: Nürnberg Gesang-Buch, 1676
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Alles ist an Gottes Segen. Anon. xvii. century. [Trust in God.] This hymn on Christian faith and patience is mentioned by Koch, v. 605, as anonymous and as dating C. 1673. In the Nürnberg Gesang-Buch of 1676 it is No. 943 (edition 1690, No. 949) in 6 stanzas of 6 lines, marked "Anonymous." Included as No. 488 in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851.
Translation in common use:—
All things hang on our possessing. Good and full in the 2nd Series, 1858, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Germanica, p. 189, and thence, as No. 130, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, and in full in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, No. 326. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Tune

ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN

ALLES 1ST AN GOTTES SEGEN is a splendid tune that matches Gaunt's text well, giving it a lot of lift. Sing it in unison on stanzas 1 and 3 and in harmony on stanza 2. Use a cheerful trumpet stop, and keep the articulation crisp on repeating tones. Johann Löhner (b. Nuremberg, Germany, 1645; d. Nure…

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Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #79
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Instances

Instances (1 - 9 of 9)
TextPage Scan

Christian Worship (1993) #421

Text

Christian Worship #807

TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #468

TextAudioPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #589

TextPage Scan

Lutheran Service Book #732

Text

Lutheran Worship #415

Text

One and All Rejoice #277

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #79

Text

Together in Song #556

Include 17 pre-1979 instances
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