Scripture Verse

He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

Introduction

portrait
Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878)

Words: Chris­tian F. Gel­lert, 1757 (Wer Gott­es Wort nicht hält). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ca­the­rine Wink­worth, Ly­ra Ger­ma­ni­ca, se­cond ser­ies, 1858, page 161.

Music: Meir­ing­en Chris­tian G. Neefe, 1777 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • O Je­su Ev­an­gel­isch­es Ge­sang­buch (Hirsch­berg, Ger­ma­ny: 1741) (🔊 pdf nwc)
  • Wessex in The Pres­by­te­ri­an Hym­nal (Phi­la­del­phia Penn­syl­van­ia: Pres­by­te­ri­an Board of Pub­li­ca­tion, 1874) (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Christian G. Neefe
1748–1798

Lyrics

Who keepeth not God’s Word, yet saith,
I know the Lord, is wrong;
In him is not that blessèd faith
Through which the truth is strong;
But he who hears and keeps the Word,
Is not of this world, but of God.

The faith His Word hath caused to shine
Will kindle love in thee;
More wouldst thou know of things divine,
Deeper thy love must be;
True faith not only gives thee light,
But strength to love and do the right.

Jesus hath washed away our sin,
And we are children now;
Who feels such hope as this within,
To evil cannot bow;
Rather with Christ all scorn endure,
So we be like our maker pure!

For he doth please the Fa­ther well
Who simply can obey;
In him the love of God doth dwell
Who steadfast keeps His way;
A daily active life of love,
Such fruits a living faith must prove.

He is in God, and God in him,
Who still abides in love;
’Tis love that makes the cherubim
Obey and praise above;
For God is love, the loveless heart
Hath in His life and joy no part.