This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:20
Words: Martin Luther, in Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, by Johann Walther (Wittenberg, Germany: 1524) (Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott); composite translation. The words echo the themes of the Nicene Creed.
Music: Wir glauben all Manuskript Gesangbuch (Langenöls, Germany [now Olszyna, Poland]: 1748) (🔊 pdf nwc).
We all believe in one true God,
Who created earth and Heaven,
The Father, who to us in love
Hath the right of children given.
He both soul and body feedeth,
All we need He doth provide us;
He thro’ snares and perils leadeth,
Watching that no harm betide us.
He careth for us day and night,
All things are governed by His might.
We all believe in Jesus Christ,
His own Son, our Lord, possessing
An equal Godhead, throne, and might,
Source of every grace and blessing.
Born of Mary, virgin mother,
By the power of the Spirit,
Made true man, our elder brother,
That the lost might life inherit.
Was crucified for sinful men
And raised by God to life again.
We all confess the Holy Ghost,
Who sweet grace and comfort giveth
And with the Father and the Son
In eternal glory liveth;
Who the Church, His own creation,
Keeps in unity of spirit.
Here forgiveness and salvation
Daily come thro’ Jesus’ merit.
All flesh shall rise, and we shall be
In bliss with God eternally.