"From Eternity, O God" by Caspar Neumann Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923 Text From: THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941) 1. From eternity, O God, In Thy Son Thou didst elect me; Therefore, Father, on life's road Graciously to heaven direct me; Send to me Thy Holy Spirit That His gifts I may inherit. 2. Though alive, I'm dead in sin, Lost to all good things by nature. Holy Ghost, change me within, Make of me a new-born creature; For the flesh works ruination And can never gain salvation. 3. Drive away the gloomy night Of my heart's perverse reflection; Quench all thoughts that are not right, Hold my reason in subjection; Grant that I from Thee, with yearning, Wisdom always may be learning. 4. Oh, create a heart in me That in Thee, my God, believeth And o'er the iniquity Of my sins most truly grieveth. When dark hours of woe betide me, In the wounds of Jesus hide me. 5. As a branch upon a vine In my blessed Lord implant me; Ever of my Head divine To remain a member grant me. Oh, let Him, my Lord and Savior, Be my Life and Love forever! 6. Faith and hope and charity Graciously, O Father, give me; Be my Guardian constantly That the devil may not grieve me; Grant me humbleness and gladness, Peace and patience in my sadness. 7. Help me speak what's right and good And keep silence on occasion; Help me pray, Lord, as I should, Help me bear my tribulation; Help me die and let my spirit Everlasting life inherit. ______________________________________________ Notes: Hymn #411 from The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Acts 8: 15 Author: Caspar Neumann, 1711, ab. Translated by: August Crull, 1923, alt. Titled: "Gott, du hast in deinem Sohn" Composer: Johann R. Ahle, 1664 Tune: "Liebster Jesu" ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Marilyn F. Gardner and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 452-2148 Fax: (219) 452-2126 ______________________________________________________________