God's Word Is Our Great Heritage

Full Text

God’s Word is our great heritage
And shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way,
In death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while words endure,
We keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.

Author: Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig

Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig (September 8, 1783 – September 2, 1872) (Danish pronunciation: [ˈneɡolaɪ̯ˀ ˈfʁæˀðʁæɡ ˈsɛʋəʁin ˈɡʁɔndʋi]), most often referred to as simply N. F. S. Grundtvig, was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He was one of the most influential people in Danish history, as his philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in the last half of the 19th century. He was married three times, the last time in his seventy-sixth year. Grundtvig and his followers are credited with being very influential in the formulation of modern Danish national consciousness. It was steeped in the national literature and supported by deep spirituality. Called Fr… Go to person page >

Translator: O. G. Belsheim

(no biographical information available about O. G. Belsheim.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: This Word of God, our heritage
Title: God's Word Is Our Great Heritage
Norwegian/Scandinavian Title: Guds Ord det er vort Arvegods
Author: Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig
Translator: O. G. Belsheim
Meter: 8.7.8.7.6.6.6.6.7
Source: Salmer ved Jubelfesten, 1817; Translation: The Lutheran Hymnary, 1909
Language: English
Notes: Originally, this was the final verse of a longer hymn beginning 'Guds Kirke er vor Klippe-Borg.'
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

EIN FESTE BURG

The original rhythms of EIN FESTE BURG (see 469) had already reached their familiar isorhythmic (all equal rhythms) shape by the time of Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) in the eighteenth century. The harmonization is taken from his Cantata 80. Many organ and choral works are based on this chorale, including…

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REUTER


Timeline

Instances

Instances (3)TextImageAudioScore
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #583Text
Evangelical Lutheran Worship #509Image
Lutheran Service Book #582Text