Scripture Verse

The Lord is the strength of my life. Psalm 27:1

Introduction

Words: Mat­thäus A. von Lö­wen­stern, Kirch­en und Haus-Mu­sic (Bres­lau [now Wro­cław, Po­land]: 1644) (Chris­te, du Bei­stand dein­er Kreuz­ge­meine). Adapt­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Phil­ip Pu­sey in Psalm and Hymn Tunes, by Al­ex­an­der R. Rei­na­gle (Ox­ford, Eng­land: 1840).

Music: Is­te Con­fess­or Poi­ti­ers An­ti­phon­er, 1746 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of von Lö­wen­stern or Pu­sey (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lord of our life, and God of our sal­va­tion,
Star of our night, and Hope of every nation,
Hear and receive Thy church’s supplication,
Lord God Almighty.

See round Thine ark the hungry billows curling!
See how Thy foes their banners are unfurling!
Lord, while their darts envenomed they are hurling,
Thou canst preserve us.

Lord, Thou canst help when earthly armor faileth;
Lord, Thou canst save when sin itself assaileth;
Lord, o’er Thy rock nor death nor hell prevaileth;
Grant us Thy peace, Lord.

Peace, in our hearts, our evil thoughts assuaging,
Peace, in Thy church, where brothers are engaging,
Peace, when the world its busy war is waging;
Calm thy foes raging!

Grant us Thy help till backward they are driven;
Grant them Thy truth, that they may be forgiven;
Grant peace on earth, or after we have striven,
Peace in Thy heaven.