The Cyber Hymnal ‎#7558

7558. Who Keepeth Not God's Word

1. Who keepeth not God’s Word, yet saith,
I know the Lord, is wrong;
In him is not that blessèd faith
Through which the truth is strong;
But he who hears and keeps the Word,
Is not of this world, but of God.

2. The faith His Word hath caused to shine
Will kindle love in thee;
More wouldst thou know of things divine,
Deeper thy love must be;
True faith not only gives thee light,
But strength to love and do the right.

3. Jesus hath washed away our sin,
And we are children now;
Who feels such hope as this within,
To evil cannot bow;
Rather with Christ all scorn endure,
So we be like our maker pure!

4. For he doth please the Father well
Who simply can obey;
In him the love of God doth dwell
Who steadfast keeps His way;
A daily active life of love,
Such fruits a living faith must prove.

5. He is in God, and God in him,
Who still abides in love;
’Tis love that makes the cherubim
Obey and praise above;
For God is love, the loveless heart
Hath in His life and joy no part.

Text Information

• First Line: Who keepeth not God's Word, yet saith
• Title: Who Keepeth Not God's Word
• German Title: Wer Gottes Wort nicht hält
• Author: Christian F. Gellert (1757)
• Translator (from German): Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 86.86.88
• Language: English
• Source: Translation in Lyra Germanica, second series, 1858, p. 161
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: O JESU, Evangelisches Gesangbuch (Hirschberg, Germany: 1741); WESSEX, in The Presbyterian Hymnal (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1874)

Tune Information

• Name: MEIRINGEN
• Composer: Christian Gottlob Neefe (1777)
• Meter: 86.86.88
• Incipit: 51353 24317 65455
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain