Withdraw not, Lord, the help I

Representative Text

1 Withhold not, Lord, the help I crave,
Forsake not, nor forget me,
For from the cradle to the grave
A thousand foes beset me.
Alas! Thy child,
Deceived, beguiled,
To guide himself unable,
In devious ways
Of error strays,
Blind, feeble, and unstable.

2 To guard and keep me, never cease,
From all that is defiling;
Preserve me also from false peace,
When life is smooth and smiling.
Should dangers rise,
And me surprise,
And clouds around me gather,
Teach me to pray,
And childlike say
"Help me, my God and Father!"

3 Let me throughout my life esteem
Thy word as precious manna,
And make Thy name my constant theme,
My song and my Hosanna;
Thy Son alone
Thy gracious throne,
Where I may find compassion;
His precious blood
My strength and food,
And shield against temptation.

4 Then take not, Lord, Thy hand away,
Withdraw not Thy protection,
But grant me to the grave, I pray,
Thy guidance and direction.
At my last end
I will commend
To Thee my soul and spirit;
Then shall I be,
My God, with Thee,
And endless joy inherit.

Source: The Lutheran Hymnary #428

Author: Karl Johann Philipp Spitta

Spitta, Carl Johann Philipp, D.D., was born Aug. 1, 1801, at Hannover, where his father, Lebrecht Wilhelm Gottfried Spitta, was then living, as bookkeeper and teacher of the French language. In his eleventh year Spitta fell into a severe illness, which lasted for four years, and so threw him back that his mother (the father died in 1805) abandoned the idea of a professional career, and apprenticed him to a watchmaker. This occupation did not prove at all congenial to him, but he would not confess his dislike, and his family were ignorant of it till an old friend, who was trying to comfort him after the death of a younger brother, discovered his true feelings. The younger brother had been preparing for ordination, and so Carl was now invited… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Withdraw not, Lord, the help I
German Title: Zieh deine Hand von mir nicht ab
Author: Karl Johann Philipp Spitta
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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A Selection of Psalms and Hymns #12a

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The Lutheran Hymnary #428

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