575. Before thy throne, O God, we kneel

1 Before thy throne, O God, we kneel:
give us a conscience quick to feel,
a ready mind to understand
the meaning of thy chastening hand;
whate'er the pain and shame may be,
bring us, O Father, nearer thee.

2 Search out our hearts and make us true;
help us to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
from sins which make the heart grow cold,
wean us and train us with thy rod;
teach us to know our faults, O God.

3 For sins of heedless word and deed,
for pride ambitious to succeed,
for crafty trade and subtle snare
to catch the simple unaware,
for lives bereft of purpose high,
forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.

4 Let the fierce fires which burn and try,
our inmost spirits purify:
consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God, be with us in the flame;
a newborn people may we rise,
more pure, more true, more nobly wise.

Text Information
First Line: Before thy throne, O God, we kneel
Author: William Boyd Carpenter, 1841-1918 (alt.)
Meter: 88. 88. 88
Language: English
Publication Date: 1985
Topic: Christian Responsibility
Tune Information
Name: VATER UNSER IN HIMMELREICH
Adapter: Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Harmonizer: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612
Meter: 88. 88. 88
Key: g minor
Source: Geistliche lieder auffs new gebessert und gemehrt, 1539 (melody)



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