Music for the Church of God -> Hymns Index

That Man a Godly Life May Live

Words: Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments)
By Martin Luther, 1524,  translated from German by Richard Massie, 1854

Music:  
     German melody, c.1200

   1. That man a Godly life might live,
      God did these Ten Commandments give
      By His true servant Moses, high
      Upon the Mount Sinai.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   2. I am thy God and Lord alone,
      No other God beside Me own;
      Put thy whole confidence in Me
      And love Me e'er cordially.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   3. By idle word and speech profane
      Take not My holy name in vain
      And praise but that as good and true
      Which I Myself say and do.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   4. Hallow the day which God hath blest
      That thou and all thy house may rest;
      Keep hand and heart from labor free
      That God may so work in thee.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   5. Give to thy parents honor due,
      Be dutiful, and loving, too,
      And help them when their strength decays,
      So shalt thou have length of days.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   6. In sinful wrath thou shalt not kill
      Nor hate nor render ill for ill;
      Be patient and of gentle mood,
      And to thy foe do thou good.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   7. Be faithful to thy marriage vows,
      Thy heart give only to thy spouse;
      Thy life keep pure, and lest thou sin,
      Use temperance and discipline.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   8. Steal not; all usury abhor
      Nor wring their life-blood from the poor,
      But open wide thy loving hand
      To all the poor in the land.
      Have mercy, Lord!
   9. Bear not false witness nor belie
      Thy neighbor by foul calumny.
      Defend his innocence from blame;
      With charity hide his shame.
      Have mercy, Lord!
  10. Thy neighbor's house desire thou not,
      His wife, nor aught that he hath got,
      But wish that his such good may be
      As thy heart doth wish for thee.
      Have mercy, Lord!
  11. God these commandments gave therein
      To show thee, child of man, thy sin
      And make thee also well perceive
      How man unto God should live.
      Have mercy, Lord!
  12. Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, for we
      A Mediator have in Thee;
      Our works cannot salvation gain;
      Thy merit but endless pain.
      Have mercy, Lord!


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