O Lord, Our Father, Thanks to Thee

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal (1880), Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and Other States (1818-1930)

(The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, contains an altered translation.)

Original German Words (1597) by Cyriacus Schneegass (1546-1597)

English Translation (1880) by August Crull (1845-1923)

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1.  O Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee

In this new year we render,

For Thou hast been from misery

And evil our defender;

Thro’ all the year that hath now fled

Hast given us our daily bread,

And peace within our borders.

2.  Lord Jesus Christ, our thanks to Thee

In this new year we render;

For Thou still rulest zealously

Thy fold, with mercies tender;

Thou hast redeemed us with Thy blood,

Thou art our Joy, our only Good,

In life and death our Savior.

3.  Lord Holy Ghost, our thanks to Thee

In this new year we render,

For by Thy grace it is that we

Preserve Thy Word’s pure splendor;

Thou hast infused, Lord, from above

Into our hearts true faith and love,

And other Christian virtues.

4.  Our faithful God, we cry to Thee;

Still bless us with Thy favor,

Blot out our iniquity,

And hide our sins forever.

Grant us a happy, good new year

And when the hours of death draw near,

A blest departure.