"From Eternity, O God"

                               by Caspar Neumann

                     Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923

                                  Text From:

                              THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

                 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1. From eternity, O God,

        In Thy Son Thou didst elect me;

        Therefore, Father, on life's road

        Graciously to heaven direct me;

        Send to me Thy Holy Spirit

        That His gifts I may inherit.



        2. Though alive, I'm dead in sin,

        Lost to all good things by nature.

        Holy Ghost, change me within,

        Make of me a new-born creature;

        For the flesh works ruination

        And can never gain salvation.



        3. Drive away the gloomy night

        Of my heart's perverse reflection;

        Quench all thoughts that are not right,

        Hold my reason in subjection;

        Grant that I from Thee, with yearning,

        Wisdom always may be learning.



        4. Oh, create a heart in me

        That in Thee, my God, believeth

        And o'er the iniquity

        Of my sins most truly grieveth.

        When dark hours of woe betide me,

        In the wounds of Jesus hide me.



        5. As a branch upon a vine

        In my blessed Lord implant me;

        Ever of my Head divine

        To remain a member grant me.

        Oh, let Him, my Lord and Savior,

        Be my Life and Love forever!



        6. Faith and hope and charity

        Graciously, O Father, give me;

        Be my Guardian constantly

        That the devil may not grieve me;

        Grant me humbleness and gladness,

        Peace and patience in my sadness.



        7. Help me speak what's right and good

        And keep silence on occasion;

        Help me pray, Lord, as I should,

        Help me bear my tribulation;

        Help me die and let my spirit

        Everlasting life inherit.



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #411 from The Lutheran Hymnal

        Text: Acts 8: 15

        Author: Caspar Neumann, 1711, ab.

        Translated by: August Crull, 1923, alt.

        Titled: "Gott, du hast in deinem Sohn"

        Composer: Johann R. Ahle, 1664

        Tune: "Liebster Jesu"