Heavenward still our pathway tends

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Heavenward still our pathway tends

Author: Benjamin Schmolck (1731); Translator: Frances Elizabeth Cox (1841)
Published in 16 hymnals

Piano/Organ
	Five Hymn Preludes, Set 1

Representative Text

1 Heav'nward still our pathway tends;
Here on earth we are but strangers,
Till our road in Canaan ends,
Safely passed this wild of dangers;
Here we but as pilgrims rove,
For our home is there above.

2 Heav'nward still, my soul, ascend!
Thou art one of heaven's creations;
Earth can ne'er give aim or end
Fit to fill thy aspirations;
And a heaven-enlightened mind
Ever turns, its source to find.

3 Heav'nward still! God calls to me
In His Word, so loudly speaking;
Glimpses in that Word I see
Of the home I'm ever seeking:
While my heart that call attends,
Still to heaven my path ascends.

4 Heav'nward! this I always think
When He spreads for me His table,
And I taste the meat and drink
That with heavenly strength enable;
After earth's oft bitter bread
There His marriage feast is spread.

5 Heav'nward! far beyond the skies
Faith my portion's joys is counting
Till my heart doth upward rise
Sun and moon and stars surmounting.
All their light cannot compare
With the splendent glory there.

6 Heav'nward still when life shall close,
Death to my true home shall guide me:
Then, triumphant to my woes,
Lasting bliss shall God provide me:
Christ Himself the way has led;
Joyful in His steps I tread.

7 Heav'nward! Heav'nward! this my song.
This my watchword oft repeated.
Here for heaven I fondly long,
Vain delusions all defeated.
Heav'nward all my thoughts ascend
Till in heaven my path shall end.

Source: Wartburg Hymnal: for church, school and home #362

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Author: Benjamin Schmolck

Schmolck, Benjamin, son of Martin Schmolck, or Schmolcke, Lutheran pastor at Brauchitschdorf (now Chrόstnik) near Liegnitz in Silesia (now Poland) was born at Brauchitschdorf, Dec. 21, 1672. He entered the Gymnasium at Lauban in 1688, and spent five years there. After his return home he preached for his father a sermon which so struck the patron of the living that he made Benjamin an allowance for three years to enable him to study theology. He matriculated, at Michaelmas, 1693, at the University of Leipzig, where he came under the influence of J. Olearius, J. B. Carpzov, and others, and throughout his life retained the character of their teaching, viz. a warm and living practical Christianity, but Churchly in tone and not Pietistic. In th… Go to person page >

Translator: Frances Elizabeth Cox

Cox, Frances Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. George V. Cox, born at Oxford, is well known as a successful translator of hymns from the German. Her translations were published as Sacred Hymns from the German, London, Pickering. The 1st edition, pub. 1841, contained 49 translations printed with the original text, together with biographical notes on the German authors. In the 2nd edition, 1864, Hymns from the German, London, Rivingtons, the translations were increased to 56, those of 1841 being revised, and with additional notes. The 56 translations were composed of 27 from the 1st ed. (22 being omitted) and 29 which were new. The best known of her translations are "Jesus lives! no longer [thy terrors] now" ; and ”Who are these like stars appeari… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Heavenward still our pathway tends
German Title:	Himmelan geht unsere Bahn
Author:	Benjamin Schmolck (1731)
Translator:	Frances Elizabeth Cox (1841)
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Tune

MEINHOLD

JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT (Crüger)

First published in Johann Crüger's Praxis Pietatis Melica (1653) without attribution, JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT was credited to Crüger (PHH 42) in the 1668 edition of that hymnal. (The later isorhythmic RATISBON is related to this tune; see 34.) JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT is named for its association w…

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RATISBON

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