Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me.
Psalm 38:21
Words: Salomo Franck, 1714 (Ach Gott, verlass mich nicht). Translated from German to English by August Crull (1845–1923).
Music: Frommer Johann G. C. Störl, 1710 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Franck or Störl (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O God, forsake me not!
Thy gracious presence lend me;
Lead Thou Thy helpless child;
Thy Holy Spirit send me
That I my course may run,
Be Thou my light, my lot,
My staff, my rock, my shield—
O God, forsake me not!
O God, forsake me not!
Take not Thy Spirit from me
And suffer not the might
Of sin to overcome me.
Increase my feeble faith,
Which Thou Thyself hast wrought.
Be Thou my strength and power—
O God, forsake me not!
O God, forsake me not!
Lord, hear my supplication!
In every evil hour
Help me o’ercome temptation;
And when the prince of hell
My conscience seeks to blot,
Be Thou not far from me—
O God, forsake me not!
O God, forsake me not!
Thy mercy I’m addressing;
O Father, God of Love,
Grant me Thy heavenly blessing
To do when duty calls
Whate’er Thou didst allot,
To do what pleaseth Thee—
O God, forsake me not!
O God, forsake me not!
Lord, I am Thine forever.
Grant me true faith in Thee;
Grant that I leave Thee never.
Grant me a blessèd end
When my good fight is fought;
Help me in life and death—
O God, forsake me not!