Words: , 1757 (Wer Gottes Wort nicht hält; translated from German to English by , Lyra Germanica, second series, 1858, p. 161. Music: Meiringen, , 1777. Alternate tunes:
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Who keepeth not God’s Word, yet saith,
“I know the Lord,” is wrong;
In him is not that blessèd faith
Through which the truth is strong;
But he who hears and keeps the Word,
Is not of this world, but of God.
The faith His Word hath caused to shine
Will kindle love in thee;
More wouldst thou know of things divine,
Deeper thy love must be;
True faith not only gives thee light,
But strength to love and do the right.
Jesus hath washed away our sin,
And we are children now;
Who feels such hope as this within,
To evil cannot bow;
Rather with Christ all scorn endure,
So we be like our Maker pure!
For he doth please the Father well
Who simply can obey;
In him the love of God doth dwell
Who steadfast keeps His way;
A daily active life of love,
Such fruits a living faith must prove.
He is in God, and God in him,
Who still abides in love;
’Tis love that makes the cherubim
Obey and praise above;
For God is love, the loveless heart
Hath in His life and joy no part.