God's word is like a flaming sword

God's word is like a flaming sword

Translator: Catherine Winkworth; Author: Carl Bernhard Garve
Tune: OLD 107TH
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. God’s word is like a flaming sword,
A wedge that cleaves the stone;
Keen as a fire, so burns his word,
And pierces flesh and bone.
Let it go forth o’er all the earth
To cleanse our hearts within,
To show God’s power in Satan’s hour
And break the might of sin.

2. God’s word, a wondrous guiding star,
On pilgrim hearts does rise,
Leads those to God who dwell afar,
And makes the simple wise.
Let not its light e’er sink in night,
But in each spirit shine,
That none may miss heaven’s final bliss,
Led by God’s light divine.

Amen.

Source: The Worshipbook: Services and Hymns #405

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: Carl Bernhard Garve

Garve, Carl Bernhard, was born Jan. 24, 1763, at Jeinsen, near Hannover, where his father was a farmer. He was educated at the Moravian schools in Zeist, and Neuwied, at their Pädagogium at Niesky, and their Seminary at Barby. In 1784 he was appointed one of the tutors at Niesky, and in 1789 at Barby; but as his philosophical lectures were thought rather unsettling in their tendency, he was sent, in 1797, to arrange the documents of the archive at Zeist. After his ordination as diaconus of the Moravian church, he was appointed, in 1799, preacher at Amsterdam; in 1801 at Ebersdorf (where he was also inspector of the training school); in 1809 at Berlin; and in 1816 at Neusalza on the Oder. Feeling the burden of years and infirmities he resig… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: God's word is like a flaming sword
Author: Carl Bernhard Garve
Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Tune

OLD 107TH

GENEVAN 107 first appeared in the 1551 edition of the Genevan Psalter. Dale Grotenhuis (PHH 4) harmonized the tune in 1986. Composed in the Dorian mode this Genevan tune consists of four long lines, each of which has two phrases; lines 1 and 2 share melodic and rhythmic patterns, and lines 3 and 4 a…

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Media

The Cyber Hymnal #1932
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  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
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Instances

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The Cyber Hymnal #1932

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