1 O Lord, I sing with mouth and heart,
Joy of my soul, to Thee;
To earth Thy knowledge I impart
As it is known to me.
2 Thou art the Fount of grace, I know,
And Spring so full and free
Whence saving health and goodness flow
Each day so bounteously.
3 For what have all that live and move
Thro' this wide world below
That does not from Thy bounteous love,
O heav'nly Father, flow!
4 Who built the lofty firmament?
Who spread th'expanse of blue?
By whom are to our pastures sent
Refreshing rain and dew?
5 Who warmeth us in cold and rain?
Who shields us from the wind?
Who orders it that fruit and grain
We in their season find?
6 Who is it life and health bestows?
Who keeps us with His hand
In golden peace, wards off war’s woes
From our dear native land?
7 O Lord, of this and all our store
Thou art the Author blest;
Thou keepest watch before our door
While we securely rest.
8 Thou feedest us from year to year
And constant dost abide;
With ready help in time of fear
Thou standest at our side.
9 Our deepest need dost Thou supply,
And all that lasts for aye;
Thou leadest us to our home on high
When hence we pass away.
Amen.
Source: The Lutheran Hymnal #569
Paul Gerhardt (b. Gräfenheinichen, Saxony, Germany, 1607; d. Lubben, Germany, 1676), famous author of Lutheran evangelical hymns, studied theology and hymnody at the University of Wittenberg and then was a tutor in Berlin, where he became friends with Johann Crüger. He served the Lutheran parish of Mittenwalde near Berlin (1651-1657) and the great St. Nicholas' Church in Berlin (1657-1666). Friederich William, the Calvinist elector, had issued an edict that forbade the various Protestant groups to fight each other. Although Gerhardt did not want strife between the churches, he refused to comply with the edict because he thought it opposed the Lutheran "Formula of Concord," which condemned some Calvinist doctrines. Consequently, he was r… Go to person page >
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