Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#47

47. Help us, O Lord! behold we enter

1 Help us, O Lord! behold we enter
Upon another year to-day;
In Thee our hopes and thoughts now centre,
Renew our courage for the way:
New Life, new strength, new happiness,
We ask of Thee, O hear and bless!

2 May every plan and undertaking
This year be all begun with Thee,
When I am sleeping or am waking,
Still let me know Thou art with me;
Abroad do Thou my footsteps guide,
At home be ever at my side.

3 Be this a time of grace and pardon,
Thy rod I take with willing mind,
O, suffer naught my heart to harden,
And let me then Thy mercy find!
In Thee alone, my God, I live,
Thou only canst my sins forgive.

4 And may this year to me be holy,
Thy grace so fill my every thought
That all my life be pure and lowly,
And truthful as a Christian’s ought;
So make me, while yet dwelling here,
Pious and blest from year to year.

5 Jesus, be with me and direct me;
Jesus, my plans and hopes inspire;
Jesus, from tempting thoughts protect me;
Jesus, be all my heart’s desire;
Jesus, be in my thoughts all day
Nor suffer me to fall away.

6 And grant, Lord, when the year is over,
That it for me in peace may close;
In all things care for me, and cover
My head in time of fear and woes;
So may I, when my years are gone,
Appear with joy before Thy throne.

Text Information

• First Line: Help us, O Lord! behold we enter
• Author: Johann Rist (1642)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Meter: No. 32
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Church Year: New Year; New Year's Day
• Notes: From the German Text: Hilf Herr Jesu, lass gelingen

Tune Information

• Name: ELBE (O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte)
• Composer: Johann Balthasar König (1738)
• Key: F Major