Scripture Verse

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Introduction

portrait
Johann J. Rambach
1693–1735

Words: Jo­hann J. Ram­bach, 1735 (Mein Schöp­fer, steh mir bei). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by R. E. Tay­lor, 1925, alt.

Music: Mein Schöp­fer Franz H. C. Mey­er, 1740 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Tay­lor’s full name, or where to get a good pic­ture of him or Mey­er (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

My Maker, be Thou nigh
The light of life to give
And guide me with Thine eye
While here on earth I live.
To Thee my heart I tender
And all my powers surrender;
Make it my one endeavor
To love and serve Thee ever.
Upon Thy promise I rely;
My Maker, be Thou nigh.

My Sav­ior, wash me clean
With Thy most precious blood,
That takes away all sin
And seals my peace with God.
My soul in peace abideth
When in Thy wounds it hideth.
There I find full sal­va­tion
And freedom from damnation.
Without Thee lost, defiled by sin,
My Sav­ior, wash me clean.

My Com­fort­er, give power
That I may stand secure
When in temptation’s hour
The world and sin allure.
The Son to me revealing,
Inspire my thought and feeling,
His Word of grace to ponder,
Nor let me from Him wander.
On me Thy gifts and graces shower:
My Com­fort­er, give power!

O Holy Trinity!
To whom I all things owe,
Thine image graciously
Within my heart bestow.
Choose me, though weak and lowly,
To be Thy temple holy
Where praise shall rise unending
For grace so condescending.
O heav’nly bliss, Thine own to be,
O Holy Trinity!