“Now, Christ, prevail”

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Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) was on a mineral-​springs vacation in August 1519 when the Black Death broke out in Zurich. Though weak already from exhausting work, he hurried back to his city to minister to victims. Before long he himself caught the disease and seemed likely to perish. Zwingli recovered slowly, though he suffered ongoing effects to his memory and in his limbs throughout that year. Zwingli’s famous “plague hymn” recounts his sense of trust and then his joy at regaining health. Stanzas 1–4 were written as the disease first struck, stanzas 5–8 as his health deteriorated. Upon his recovery he finished the final four quatrains.

Help me, O Lord,

My strength and rock;

Lo, at the door

I hear death’s knock.

Uplift thine arm,

Once pierced for me,

That conquered death

And set me free.

Yet, if thy voice,

In life’s midday

Recalls my soul,

Then I obey.

In faith and hope

Earth I resign.

Secure of heaven

For I am Thine.

My pains increase;

Haste to console;

For fear and woe

Seize body and soul.

Death is at hand.

My senses fail.

My tongue is dumb;

Now, Christ, prevail.

Lo! Satan strains

To snatch his prey;

I feel his grasp;

Must I give way?

He harms me not,

I fear no loss,

For here I lie

Beneath thy cross.

My God! My Lord!

Healed by the hand

Upon the earth

Once more I stand.

Let sin no more

Rule over me;

My mouth shall sing

Alone to thee.

Though now delayed,

My hour will come.

Involved, perchance.

In deeper gloom.

But, let it come;

With joy I’ll rise,

And bear my yoke

Straight to the skies.

By Zwingli

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