1. My inmost heart now raises
   In this fair morning hour
   A song of thankful praises
   To Thine almighty pow’r,
   O God, upon Thy throne.
   To honor and adore Thee,
   I bring my praise before Thee
   Through Christ, Thine only Son.

2. For Thou from me hast warded
   All perils of the night;
   From ev’ry harm hast guarded
   My soul till morning light.
   To Thee I humbly cry,
   O Savior, have compassion
   And pardon my transgression;
   Have mercy, Lord most high!

3. And shield me from all evil,
   O gracious God, this day,
   From sin, and from the devil,
   From shame and from dismay,
   From fire’s consuming breath,
   From water’s devastation,
   From need and consternation,
   From evil sudden death.

4. My life, my soul—defend them!
   My wife, child, goods, and home,
   To Thy hand I commend them,
   From Thee my blessings come.
   Thy bounteous hand bestows
   My household and my treasures,
   My parents, friends, and pleasures,
   My cup with good o’erflows.

5. Let not Thine angel leave me
   While here on earth I stay
   Lest Satan’s arts deceive me
   And lead my soul astray.
   Then keep Thine angel near
   At night and each new morrow
   Lest soul and body sorrow
   And falt’ring cost me dear.

6. God shall do my advising,
   Whose might with wisdom blends;
   May He bless rest and rising,
   My efforts, means, and ends!
   To God, forever blest,
   Will I with mine confide me,
   And willing let Him guide me
   As seemeth to Him best.

7. Amen I say, not fearing
   That God rejects my prayer;
   I doubt not He is hearing
   And granting me His care.
   Thus I go on my way
   And do not look behind me,
   But ply the task assigned me;
   God’s help shall be my stay.

Aus meines Herzens Grunde
Georg Nigidius, d. 1588
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Source: Sts. 1–3, 5–7, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 548
St. 4, Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1930, No. 22