The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#245

245. O Father, may Thy word prevail

1 O Father, may Thy Word prevail
Against the gates of hell!
Behold the vineyard Thou hast tilled
With thorns and thistles filled.
'Tis true, Thy plants are there;
But, ah, how weak and rare!
How slight the power and evidence
Of word and sacraments!

2 Come, Jesus, come and contemplate
Thy vineyard's sad estate;
Baptized are millions in Thy name,
But where is faith's pure flame?
Of what avail that we
Know of Thine agony,
So long as we do not o'erthrow
In faith the wicked foe?

3 O Holy Ghost, to Thee, our light,
We cry by day, by night:
Come, grant us of the light and powe'r
Our fathers had of yore;
When Thy dear Church did stand
A tree, deep-rooted, grand;
Full-crowned with blossoms white as snow,
With purple fruits aglow!

Text Information

• First Line: O Father, may Thy word prevail
• Author: H. A. Brorson (ca. 1760)
• Meter: 8, 6, 8, 6, 6, 6, 8, 6.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany; Church of Christ; Word of God

Tune Information

• Name: [O Father, may Thy word prevail]
• Composer: Ludv. M. Lindeman, 1812—87
• Meter: 8, 6, 8, 6, 6, 6, 8, 6.
• Key: G Major