"How Can I Thank Thee, Lord"
                            by David Denicke
           Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923
                                 Text From:
                      THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)



        1. How can I thank Thee, Lord,
        For all Thy loving-kindness,
        That Thou hast patiently
        Borne with me in my blindness?
        When dead in many sins
        And trespasses I lay,
        I kindled, holy God,
        Thine anger every day.

        2. It is Thy work alone
        That I am now converted;
        O'er Satan's work in me
        Thou hast Thy power asserted.
        Thy mercy and Thy grace
        That rise afresh each morn
        Have turned my stony heart
        Into a heart new-born.

        3. I could but grieve Thee, Lord,
        And with my sins displease Thee;
        Yet to atone for sin
        My works could not appease Thee.
        Though I could fall from grace
        And choose the way of sin,
        I had no strength to rise,
        A new life to begin.

        4. But Thou hast raised me up
        To joy and exultation
        And clearly shown the way
        That leads me to salvation.
        My sins are washed away,
        For this I thank thee, Lord;
        And with my heart and soul
        All dead works are abhorred.

        5. Grant that Thy Spirit's help
        To me be always given
        Lest I should fall again
        And lose the way to heaven;
        That He may give me strength
        In mine infirmity
        And e'er renew my heart
        To serve Thee willingly.

        6. Oh, guide and lead me, Lord,
        While here below I wander
        That I may follow Thee
        Till I shall see Thee yonder.
        For if I led myself,
        I soon would go astray;
        But if Thou leadest me,
        I keep the narrow way.

        7. O Father, God of Love,
        Hear Thou my supplication;
        O Savior, Son of God,
        Grant me Thy full salvation;
        And Thou, O Holy Ghost,
        Be Thou my faithful Guide
        That I may serve Thee here
        And there with Thee abide.

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        Notes:
        Hymn #417 from The Lutheran Hymnal
        Text: Ps. 50: 14
        Author: David Denicke, 1648, asc., ab. (vs.1-5,7)
        Author: Johann Heermann, 1630, (vs. 6)
        Translated by: August Crull, 1923
        Titled: "Was kann ich doch fuer Dank"
        Tune: "O Gott, du frommer Gott"
        1st Published in: "Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch"
        Town: Meiningen, 1693
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        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
        by Cindy A. Beesley 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.

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