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The Open Hymnal · No. 48 · Words: Martin Luther (adapt. 1524), tr. Richard Massie, 1854 · Tune: Gott Der Vater, Wohn Uns Bei
God the Father Be Our Stay
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A Trinitarian litany rooted in a 15th-century text, adapted by Martin Luther in 1524 and translated into English by Richard Massie in 1854. Each stanza calls on one Person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for protection against evil and steadfastness in faith.
Verse 1
God the Father, be our Stay,
When hell's dread pow'rs assail us;
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
Nor in our last hour fail us.
Keep us from the Evil One;
Firm in the faith abiding,
In Christ our Savior hiding,
And heartily confiding.
Let us put God's armor on:
With all true Christians running Our heav'nly race and shunning The devil's wiles and cunning.
Amen, Amen, this be done,
So sing we, Hallelujah!
Verse 2
Jesus Christ be Thou our Stay,
When hell's dread pow'rs assail us;
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
Nor in our last hour fail us.
Keep us from the Evil One;
Firm in the faith abiding,
In Christ our Savior hiding,
And heartily confiding.
Let us put God's armor on:
With all true Christians running Our heav'nly race and shunning The devil's wiles and cunning.
Amen, Amen, this be done,
So sing we, Hallelujah!
Verse 3
Holy Ghost, be Thou our Stay,
When hell's dread pow'rs assail us;
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
Nor in our last hour fail us.
Keep us from the Evil One;
Firm in the faith abiding,
In Christ our Savior hiding,
And heartily confiding.
Let us put God's armor on:
With all true Christians running Our heav'nly race and shunning The devil's wiles and cunning.
Amen, Amen, this be done,
So sing we, Hallelujah!
Verse 1
1(alt). ~Triune God, be Thou our Stay,
When hell's dread pow'rs assail us;
Cleanse us from our sins, we pray,
Nor in our last hour fail us.
Keep us from the Evil One;
Firm in the faith abiding,
In Christ our Savior hiding,
And heartily confiding.
Let us put God's armor on:
With all true Christians running Our heav'nly race and shunning The devil's wiles and cunning.
Amen, Amen, this be done,
So sing we, Hallelujah!
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