Friday, March 6, 2026
If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee
Psalm 95:8-11
Beth Judd
Interim Dean of Shelton Chapel
“If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee,” Glory to God Hymnal #816
Text: Georg Neumark, Catherine Winkworth
Music: Georg Neumark
The first seven verses of Psalm 95 are a call for all to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving and songs of praise. It lifts up God as the great King above all gods and reminds us that we are the sheep of God’s pasture. Quickly, however, the scripture turns in verse 8 to recounting how the people were not faithful and put God to the test.
Neumark, the hymn’s author, was tested as he was traveling to college. Robbers beat him and stole everything he owned except his prayer book and some money sewn into the lining of his clothing. After months of fruitless efforts to find work, a pastor Neumark encountered was finally able to secure a position for him.
According to the resource, Glory to God: A Companion (Westminster John Knox Press, 2016), Neumark wrote the hymn as a ‘hymn of consolation, acknowledging God’s providential care.’ Winkworth, the text’s translator, added verses to Neumark’s work, including the admonition to ‘leave to God to order all things.’
The musical selection above is performed by Dr. Jill Nennmann, Austin Seminary interim organist.