O God, Forsake Me Not

O God, Forsake Me Not is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 424, lsb 731, lw 372, tlh 402.

The hymn expresses the Lutheran emphasis on penitential prayer and the experience of God's sustaining grace even in spiritual desolation. It reflects the Reformation's focus on honest confession before God and reliance upon Christ's redemption rather than works of penance.

History & Background

Martin Behm composed this German hymn in the early 17th century as a penitential prayer grounded in Psalm 38. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her collection of German hymns, and it has remained a standard Lutheran hymn of repentance.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship — 424
• Lutheran Service Book — 731
• Lutheran Worship — 372
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 402

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Behm (1610), this hymn exemplifies the Reformation's emphasis on candid confession and reliance upon Christ's redemption rather than works. Its tune, Herzlich tauet mich verlangen, carries centuries of Lutheran devotion.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law's conviction of abandonment and the Gospel's promise of divine presence, inviting preachers to explore how Christ's cry of dereliction on the cross becomes the foundation of our assurance that God will never forsake us.

Background Research

TLH 402. "Ach Gott, verlaß mich nicht", a plea on Psalm 38:22 ("Forsake me not, O LORD"), in which each stanza begins and ends with the opening words. AUTHORSHIP FLAG: first printed in the Anderer Theil des Naumburgischen Gesang-Buchs (1714), credited to "Salomon Francke" by its editor J. M. Schamelius. Julian (via Hymnary) says it has not been found in any of Franck's own publications, so the attribution is uncertain. Salomo Franck (Weimar, 1659–1725) was consistory secretary, librarian and keeper of the ducal coin cabinet at Weimar, and a member of the Fruitbearing Society. Family sorrows and thoughts of death run through his hymns. He wrote the librettos for many of Bach's Weimar cantatas (BWV 31, 165 and others, per the index). Widely used in German books (Berlin 1829, Württemberg 1842, Hannover 1883). English by August Crull, 1923.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Lent 3 (1×)
• Pentecost Tuesday (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Overview

Salomo Franck's prayer hymn, each stanza beginning and ending 'O God, forsake me not!' Franck was the Weimar court poet who wrote many of the librettos for Bach's Weimar cantatas. Lend your presence and Spirit; be my Light, Staff, Rock, Shield (st. 1); take not your Spirit from me; increase the faith you yourself have worked (st. 2); in temptation, when the Prince of hell tries to blot out my conscience, be near (st. 3); bless me to do my duty (st. 4); grant true faith, perseverance and a blessed end (st. 5).

Central theme: A prayer for God's abiding presence through Spirit, faith, temptation, vocation and death

Structure

Five eight-line stanzas framed by 'O God, forsake me not!' Guidance (1) — Spirit and faith (2) — temptation (3) — vocation (4) — perseverance and death (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: helplessness; 'the might of sin'; 'the Prince of hell' (1-3). Gospel: 'Thy feeble faith, which Thou Thyself hast wrought'; 'Lord, I am Thine forever' (2, 5).

Confessional Connections

Ps 38:22 (TLH's text): 'Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!' St. 2, 'Increase my feeble faith, / Which Thou Thyself hast wrought' — faith is God's work from beginning to growth (FC II.25; Phil 1:6). St. 3, 'when the Prince of hell / My conscience seeks to blot' — Satan as accuser of the conscience (Rev 12:10; LC Lord's Prayer VI on spiritual temptation). St. 4: vocation — to do 'what'er Thou didst allot' (1 Cor 7:17; AC XVI, XXVII on good works in one's calling). St. 5: a blessed end (LC Lord's Prayer VII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Trinity season; Lent; times of temptation; prayer for perseverance.

Historical Notes

Franck (1659-1725), consistory secretary at Weimar, librettist for many Bach cantatas (e.g., BWV 31, 165); published 1714.

About the Tune

O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT (Neuvermehrtes Gesangbuch, Meiningen, 1693).

Scripture References

Ps 38:21-22 Ps 71:9 Ps 51:11 Ps 18:2 Rom 6:12-14 Luke 17:5 Phil 1:6 Matt 6:13 Rev 12:10 1 Cor 7:17 Eph 2:10 Rev 2:10 2 Tim 4:7 Heb 13:5

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Repentance and confession Divine mercy and forgiveness Trust in God's steadfast love Petition in distress

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "O God, Forsake Me Not" ↗