"Help Us, O Lord! Behold, We Enter"
                        by Johann Rist, 1607-1667
              Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
                                 Text From:
                    THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
            (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.96



        1. Help us, O Lord! Behold, we enter
        Upon another year today;
        In Thee our hopes and thoughts now center,
        Renew our courage for the way.
        New life, new strength, new happiness,
        We ask of Thee, -- oh, hear and bless!

        2. May every plan and undertaking
        This year be all begun with Thee;
        When I am sleeping or am waking,
        Still let me know Thou art with me.
        Abroad do Thou my footsteps guide,
        At home be ever at my side.

        3. Be this a time of grace and pardon.
        Thy rod I take with willing mind,
        But suffer naught my heart to harden;
        Oh, let me then Thy mercy find!
        In Thee alone, my God, I live;
        Thou only canst nay sins forgive.

        4. And may this year to me be holy;
        Thy grace so fill my every thought
        That all my life be pure and lowly
        And truthful, as a Christian's ought.
        So make me while yet dwelling here
        Pious and blest from year to year.

        5. Jesus, be with me and direct me;
        Jesus, my plans and hopes inspire;
        Jesus, from tempting thoughts protect me;
        Jesus, be all my heart's Desire;
        Jesus, be in my thoughts all day
        Nor suffer me to fall away.

        6. And grant, Lord, when the year is over,
        That it for me in peace may close;
        In all things care for me and cover
        My head in time of fear and woes.
        So may I when my years are gone
        Appear with joy before Thy throne.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #120 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Heb. 13:8
        Author: Johann Rist, 1642, cento
        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863
        Titled: "Hilf, Herr Jesu, lass helingen"
        Tune: "Ich sterbe taeglich"
        1st Published in: MS, Municipal Library
        Town: Leipzig, 1756
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. E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu
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