In trouble, trust in God

Paul Eber, professor of Hebrew at Wittenberg, penned In Trouble – “Wenn wir in höchsten Nöthen sein” (When in the Hour of Utmost Need). John Julian described Eber as “next to Luther, the best poet of the Wittenberg school.” Paul Eber was born in 1511 in Kitzingen, Bavaria, the son of a master tailor. He graduated from the University of Wittenberg, and became an instructor there. He died at Wittenberg, December 10, 1569. He was buried at Stadtpfarrkirche St. Marien.

The hymn speaks of hope in God in challenging circumstances, and is related to Jehoshaphat’s cry for help in 2 Chronicles 20:12: We know not where to look for aid/neither know we what to do.

“When in the hour of utmost need” is a translation into English by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878). It appears in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Series (1858, p. 180) and The Chorale Book for England (1863, No. 141).

Catherine Winkworth was born in England in 1827, daughter of Henry Winkworth, a silk merchant. She died in Switzerland (some sources say France), in 1878. Winkworth was buried there, but has a memorial erected in England. She learned the German language while living in Germany, and possessed an ability to create poetic English translations that were still close to the originals.

1. When in the hour of utmost need

We know not where to look for aid;
When days and nights of anxious thought
Nor help nor counsel yet have brought:

2. Then this our comfort is alone:
That we may meet before thy throne
And cry, O faithful God, to thee
For rescue from our misery:

3. To thee may raise our hearts and eyes,
Repenting sore with bitter sighs,
And seek thy pardon for our sin,
And respite from our griefs within:

4. For thou hast promised graciously
To hear all those who cry to thee,
Through him whose name alone is great,
Our Saviour and our Advocate.

5. And thus we come, O God, to-day
And all our woes before thee lay;
For tried, forsaken, lo! we stand,
Perils and foes on every hand.

6. Ah hide not for our sins thy face;
Absolve us through your boundless grace,
Be with us in our anguish still!
Free us at last from every ill.

7. That so with all our hearts may we
Once more with joy give thanks to thee,
And walk obedient to thy word,
And now and ever praise thee, Lord.