Herr, du wollest uns bereiten

Herr, du wollest uns bereiten. Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock* (1724-1803), altered by Albert Knapp* (1798-1864). The first line, as given here, is that of Knapp’s version used in EG, where it is found in the section for Holy Communion. Klopstock’s text began ‘Herr, du wollst sie vollbereiten’. Knapp’s text is simpler (‘Lord, you wish us to be ready’) than Klopstock’s (‘Lord, do thou make us fully prepared’). Klopstock’s original hymn is a long hymn to be sung during Holy Communion (‘Beim Abendmahle’) by the choir and the congregation singing antiphonally. A verse for ‘Das Chor’ is followed by nine verses for ‘Die Gemeinde’, followed by another verse for the choir, then eight verses for the...