Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 1125
Title O God, Thou faithful God
Composed Unknown
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices

Movements Chorale: O God, Thou faithful God
Category Chorale
Event -
Author of text Johann Heermann, Breslau, 1630
Text

1. O God, Thou faithful God,
Thou Fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing;
A pure and healthy frame
O give me, and within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unhurt by sin.

2. And grant me, Lord, to do,
With ready heart and willing,
Whate`er Thou shalt command
My calling here fulfilling,
And do it when I ought,
With all my strength, and bless
The work I thus have wrought,
For Thou must give success.

3. And let me promise nought
But I can keep it truly,
Abstain from idle words,
And guard my lips still duly;
And grant, when in my place
I must and ought to speak,
My words due power and grace,
Nor let me wound the weak.

4. If dangers gather round,
Still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross
When life is dark and cheerless;
To overcome my foe
With words and actions kind;
When counsel I would know
Good counsel let me find.

5. And let me be with all
In peace and friendship living,
As far as Christians may.
And if Thou aught art giving
Of wealth and honours fair,
Oh this refuse me not,
That nought be mingled there
Of goods unjustly got.

6. And if a longer life
Be here on earth decreed me,
And Thou through many a strife
To age at last wilt lead me,
Thy patience in me shed,
Avert all sin and shame,
And crown my hoary head
With pure untarnished fame.

7. Let nothing that may chance,
Me from my Saviour sever;
And dying with Him, take
My soul to Thee for ever;
And let my body have
A little space to sleep
Beside my father`s grave,
And friends that o`er it weep.

8. And when the Day is come,
And all the dead are waking;
Oh reach me down Thy hand,
Thyself my slumbers breaking;
Then let me hear Thy voice,
And change this earthly frame,
And bid me aye rejoice
With those who love Thy name.

Manuscript -

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