Unless stated otherwise, my source for hymn texts and tunes is The Lutheran Service Book.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

LSB #655 "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word"

Biblical citations in the hymnal:  Psalm 119:5-10, 2 John 9, John 8:31, Ephesians 4:3-6

Psalm 119:5-10:  "5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!  6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.  7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.  8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

"9 How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word.  10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!"

2 John 9:  "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.  Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."

John 8:31:  "31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples'"

Ephesians 4:3-6:  "3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

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The text is public domain:
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow'r make known,
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.
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The first line of the hymn comes from the passages from Psalm 119:5-10, 2 John 9, and John 8:31.  The "unity on earth" in the third verse is drawn from Ephesians 4:3-6.

The title "Lord of lords" in the second verse comes from Revelation 19:16.