O Lord, Look Down From Heav’n, Behold - Bugenhagen Conference 2022

O Lord, Look Down From Heav'n, Behold

(Lutheran Chorale-Book - text below)

Bugenhagen Conference 2022

 

1. O Lord, look down from heav’n, behold
   And let Thy pity waken;
   How few are we within Thy fold,
   Thy wretched saints forsaken.
   Thy Word is nowhere kept aright,
   And faith is quenched and veiled in night
   Among all Adam’s children.

2. They teach a false and idle word
   Which their own wits have founded;
   Their hearts are not with one accord
   On God’s pure doctrine grounded.
   Each seeks in his own way to guide,
   And so Thy people they divide,
   Though fair be their appearance.

3. God surely will uproot the ones
   Who with their lies enclose us
   And who with bold and haughty tongues
   Say, “Who would dare oppose us?
   We have the right and might alone,
   What we determine shall be done,
   Who then shall be our master?”

4. Therefore saith God, “I must arise,
   The poor see devastation
   And unto Me have come their sighs,
   I’ve heard their lamentation.
   My saving Word upon the plain
   Shall fight My foes with might and main,
   The poor with strength upholding.”

5. As silver sev’n times tried by fire
   Is found right purely shining,
   So doth God’s Word our trust require
   Until its full refining.
   When through the cross it shall be tried,
   Then shall its strength and light abide
   As in all lands it shineth.

6. Preserve Thy Word e’er pure and free
   From this vile generation,
   And keep us subject unto Thee,
   Safe from their infiltration.
   The godless ev’rywhere abound,
   Where’er such wicked men are found
   Exalted midst Thy people.