1. Lord Jesus Christ, I call to Thee;
   I pray, O hear my crying.
   Despair keep far away from me;
   Be near, Thy grace supplying.
   Thy way, O Lord, I fain would choose,
   All glory to Thee giving,
   To Thee living,
   To neighbors be of use,
   And do Thy Word’s true bidding.

2. Yet more, O Lord my God, I’d claim:
   Yea, Thou indeed canst grant me
   That I be never put to shame;
   Hope do Thou also send me,
   That when I must from hence be flown,
   I trust Thee as I’m dying,
   Not relying
   On doings of mine own,
   I’ll rue it else with sighing.

3. O grant that from mine inmost heart
   My foes be all forgiven;
   Forgive my sins and heal their smart
   And grant new life from heaven;
   Thy Word, that blessed food, bestow,
   Which best the soul can nourish;
   Make it flourish
   Through all the storms of woe,
   Else I will surely perish.

4. Let no desires entice from Thee,
   Nor fears upon me pressing.
   Grant that e’er steadfast I may be.
   Thy hands hold ev’ry blessing;
   What Thou dost give, this we embrace;
   None this can ever merit,
   Nor inherit
   Through works Thy freest grace,
   Which saves from death our spirit.

5. I lie in strife and bitter grief;
   Lord Christ, my weakness conquer;
   Unto Thy grace alone I cleave,
   ’Tis Thou canst make me stronger;
   When come temptations, bare Thine arm
   That they may not deceive me;
   Thou canst save me
   That they do me no harm;
   I know Thou shalt not leave me.

Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Johannes Agricola, 1531
Tr. composite