Together in Song ‎#496

496. Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands

1 Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands
that holy things have taken,
let ears that now have heard your songs
to clamour never waken.

2 Lord, may the tongues which 'Holy' sang
keep free from all deceiving,
the eyes which saw thy love be bright,
thy blessèd hope perceiving.

3 The feet that tread your holy courts
from your light do not banish,
the bodies by your body fed
with your new life replenish.

Text Information

• First Line: Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands
• Author (attributed to): Ephraim the Syrian, c. 306-73
• Translator: Charles William Humphreys, 1840-1921 (alt.)
• Translator: Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936 (alt.)
• Meter: 87.87 iambic
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1999
• Scripture:
  Ephesians 4:20-24
  ;
  Ephesians 5:6-10
  ;
  Hebrews 10:19-25
  ;
  James 1:19-27
  ;
  James 3:8-12
  ;
  Luke 6:17-23

Tune Information

• Name: ACH GOTT UND HERR
• Arranger: Christoph Peter, 1626-69
• Arranger: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 87.87 iambic
• Key: A Major
• Source: Later form of melody from 'As Hymnodus Sacer', Leipzig, 1625