Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#111

111. Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken

1 Scarce tongue can speak, ne’er human ken
The myst’ry could discover,
That God from His high throne to men
Makes known the world all over:
That He alone is King above
All other gods whatever,
Great, mighty, faithful, full of love,
His saints doth aye deliver;
One essence but three persons!

2 God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
The name thrice holy given,
On earth by all the ransomed host,
And by the hosts of heaven.
He’s Abraham’s and Isaac’s God,
And Jacob’s, whom He knoweth,
The Lord of Hosts, who every good
Both night and day bestoweth,
Who only doeth wonders!

3 His Son, from all eternity
Begotten of the Father,
Did come as man, when God’s decree
Had fixed, His sheep to gather.
The Holy Ghost eternally,
While all their glory sharing,
Their honor, power, and majesty,
A crown all equal wearing,
Proceeds from Son and Father!

4 Be glad, my heart, thy portion see,
Thy rich, unequalled treasure,
He is thy Friend, supply will He
Thy needs with bounteous measure.
Who made thee in His image fair,
Thy load of guilt removeth,
Gives thee His people’s faith to share,
Thy joy in sorrow proveth,
Through His own Word most holy.

5 Bestir thyself, with all thy heart
Thy God to know endeavor:
Such knowledge will sweet rest impart,
Thy soul with pure love ever
Will cause to glow, and nourish thee
For life and joy in heaven;
Things only heard of here, shall be
To open sight there given,
By God to His dear children.

6 Woe! woe! to the besotted crew
In willful blindness living,
Rejecting God, the honor due
To Him, to creatures giving.
The time will come when close shall He
On them the door of heaven;
Who drive God from them here, shall be
By Him hereafter driven,
From His high throne most holy!

7 O Prince of Might! Thy mercy show,
Thou God of earth and heaven;,
To every sinner here below
May saving grace be given!
Bring back Thy sheep that go astray,
And blinded eyes enlighten,
And turn Thou ev'rything away
That wickedly might frighten
Thine own, whose faith is feeble.

8 Grant this, that we Thy people may
All reach the heavenly portals,
And in Thy kingdom sing for aye,
’Mid all the bless’d immortals:
That Thou above art King alone
All other gods high over,
The Father, Son, and Spirit, One,
Thy people’s Shield and Cover,
One essence but three persons!

Text Information

• First Line: Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken
• Author: Paul Gerhardt
• Translator: John Kelly (1867)
• Meter: No. 47
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Church Year: Trinity
• Notes: From the German text: Was alle Weisheit in der Welt

Tune Information

• Name: BAPTIZEIN (Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam)
• Adapter: Dr. Luther (1524)
• Adapter: Johann Walther (1524)
• Meter: No. 47
• Key: a minor
• Source: Secular origin