Cross and Comfort
494
8, 7, 8 l
Whate’er God will, let that be done;
His will is ever wisest;
His grace will all thy hope outrun
Who to that faith arisest.
The gracious Lord Will help afford,
He chastens with forbearing;
Who God believes And to Him cleaves,
Shall not be left despairing.
2. My God is my sure Confidence,
My Hope, and my Existence;
His counsel is beyond my sense,
Yet I’ll not make resistance.
His Word declares The very hairs
Upon my head are numbered;
His mercy large Holds me in charge,
With care that never slumbered.
3. The time has come when at His will
My life in this world ceases;
I think upon it and am still,
Let come whate’er He pleases.
To Him I trust My soul, my dust,
When flesh and spirit sever;
The Christ we sing Has plucked the sting
Away from death forever.
4. Yet one thing, Lord, I ask of Thee,
O grant my supplication:
When Satan sorely tempteth me,
Save me from desperation.
O God, my Lord, True to Thy Word,
Do Thou my soul deliver!
Who doth believe, He shall receive.
Thy name be praised forever!
Anon., 1554; N. L. Frothingham, tr., a.
495
8, 8, 7, 8, 7
In Thee, Lord, have I put my trust,
Leave me not helpless in the dust,
Let me not be confounded;
Let in Thy Word My faith, O Lord,
Be always firmly grounded.
2. Bow down Thy gracious ear to me
And hear my prayers, Lord, speedily,
O grant me Thy protection!
For woes and fear Surround me here;
Help me in my affliction.
3. My God and Shield, now let Thy power
Be unto me a mighty tower,
Whence bravely I defend me
Against the foes That round me close;
O Lord, assistance lend me!
4. Thy Word hath said, Thou art my Rock,
The Fortress that can fear no shock,
My Help, my Life, my Treasure;
Howe’er distress And dangers press,
All must perform Thy pleasure.
5. The world for me has falsely set
Full many a secret snare and net,
Dark lies, and sore temptations.
Lord, hear my prayers And break these snares
And hellish machinations.
6. With Thee, Lord, would I cast my lot;
My God, my God, forsake me not;
For, Lord, I am commending
My soul to Thee; Deliver me
Now and when life is ending.
7. All honor, praise, and majesty
To Father, Son, and Spirit be,
Our God forever glorious,
In whose rich grace We’ll run our race
Till we depart victorious.
Ps. 31. Adam Reusner, 1533; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
496
C. M.
Lord, it belongs not to my care,
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
2. If life be long, I will be glad
That I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
3. Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He that into God’s kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
4. Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet
Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth is sweet,
What will Thy glory be?
5. Then shall I end my sad complaints
And weary, sinful days
And join with the triumphant saints
That sing Jehovah’s praise.
6. My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But ’tis enough that Christ knows all
And I shall be with Him.
Richard Baxter, 1681, a.
497
C. M.
O Thou, from whom all goodness flows,
I lift my heart to Thee;
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,
Dear Lord, remember me!
2. When on my aching, burdened heart
My sins lie heavily,
My pardon speak, new peace impart;
In love remember me.
3. Temptations sore obstruct my way,
And ills I cannot flee.
O give me strength, Lord, as my day;
For good remember me.
4. Distressed with pain, disease, and grief,
This feeble body see;
Grant patience, rest, and kind relief;
Hear and remember me!
5. When in the solemn hour of death
I wait Thy just decree,
Be this the prayer of my last breath,
Good Lord, remember me!
6. And when before Thy throne I stand
And lift my soul to Thee,
Then with the saints at Thy right hand,
Good Lord, remember me!
Thomas Haweis and Thomas Cotterill, 1792, a.
498
9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8
If thou but suffer God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that naught can move.
2. What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.
3. Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content,
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
4. He knows the time for joy and, truly,
Will send it when He sees it meet;
When He has tried and purged thee duly
And finds thee free from all deceit,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.
5. Nor think amid the heat of trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard;
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred;
Time passes and much change doth bring
And sets a bound to everything.
6. All are alike before the Highest;
’Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.
7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving;
So do thine own part faithfully
And trust His Word, though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never will forsake in need
The soul that trusts in Him indeed.
Ps. 55, 23. George Neumark, 1657; C. Winkworth, tr.
499
9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8
I leave all things to God’s direction,
He loveth me in weal and woe;
His will is good, true His affection,
With tender love His heart doth glow.
My Fortress and my Rock is He:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
2. My God hath all things in His keeping,
He is the ever faithful Friend;
He grants me laughter after weeping,
And all His ways in blessings end.
His love endures eternally:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
3. The will of God shall be my pleasure
While here on earth is mine abode;
My will is wrong beyond all measure,
It doth not will what pleaseth God.
The Christian’s maxim e’er must be:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
4. God knows what must be done to save me,
His love for me will never cease;
For He upon His palms did grave me
With purest gold of loving grace.
Away, my own will, off with thee!
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
5. My God desires the soul’s salvation,
Me also He desires to save;
Therefore, with Christian resignation,
All earthly troubles I will brave.
His will be done eternally:
What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
Anon., 17th cent.; A. Crull, tr.
500
7s
Oft in sorrow, oft in woe,
Onward, Christians, onward go!
Bear the toil, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of Life.
2. Let not sorrow dim your eye;
Soon shall every tear be dry.
Let not woe your course impede;
Great your help if great your need.
3. Let your drooping hearts be glad;
March, in heavenly armor clad.
Fight, nor think the battle long;
Victory soon shall tune your song.
4. Onward, then, to battle move!
More than conquerors you shall prove;
Though begirt with many a foe,
Onward, Christians, onward go!
H. K. White, 1806, a.
501
8, 6, 6, 8, 6, 6
Why should sorrow ever grieve me;
Christ is near, What can here
E’er of Him deprive me?
Who can rob me of my heaven
That God’s Son As my own
To my faith hath given?
2. Naked was I and unswathèd
When on earth At my birth
My first breath I breathèd.
Naked hence shall I betake me
When I go From earth’s woe
And my breath forsakes me.
3. Naught—not e’en the life I’m living—
Is my own, God alone
All to me is giving.
Must I, then, His own restore Him?
Though bereft Of each gift,
Still shall I adore Him.
4. Though a heavy cross I’m bearing
And my heart Feels the smart,
Shall I be despairing?
God can help me, who doth send it;
He doth know All my woe
And how best to end it.
5. God oft gives me days of gladness;
Shall I grieve If He give
Seasons, too, of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
Every hurt; Me desert
Wholly can He never.
6. Though united world and devil,
All their power Can no more
Do than mock and cavil.
Let derision now employ them,
Christ e’en here Will appear
And ’fore all destroy them.
7. True believers, shrinking never,
Where they dwell, Should reveal
Their true colors ever.
When approaching death would scare them,
Still should they Patient stay
And with courage bear them.
8. Death can never kill us even,
But relief From all grief
To us then is given.
It doth close life’s mournful story,
Makes a way That we may
Pass to heavenly glory.
9. There I’ll reap enduring pleasure,
After woe Here below
Suffered in large measure.
Lasting good we find here never,
All the earth Deemeth worth
Vanisheth forever.
10. What is all this life possesseth?
But a hand Full of sand
That the heart distresseth.
Noble gifts that pall me never
Christ so free There gives me
To enjoy forever.
11. Lord, Thou Fount of joy forever,
Thou art mine, I am Thine,
No one can us sever.
I am Thine, because Thou gavest
Life and blood For my good,
By Thy death me savest.
12. Thou art mine, I love and own Thee,
Ne’er shall I, Light of joy,
From my heart dethrone Thee.
Let me, let me, soon behold Thee
Face to face,—Thy embrace,
May it soon enfold me!
Paul Gerhardt, 1653; J. Kelly, tr., a.
502
C. M.
Dear Refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise,
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies.
2. To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal;
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief
For every pain I feel.
3. Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face?
And shall I seek in vain?
And can the ear of pardoning grace
Be deaf when I complain?
4. No, still the ear of saving grace
Attends the mourner’s prayer;
O may I ever find access
To breathe my sorrows there!
Anne Steele, 1760.
503
L. M.
O God, my days are dark indeed,
How oft this aching heart must bleed;
The narrow way,—how filled with pain,
That I must pass, ere heaven I gain!
2. How hard to teach this flesh and blood
To seek alone th’ eternal God!
Ah! whither now for comfort turn?
For Thee, my Jesus, do I yearn.
3. In Thee have I, howe’er distrest,
Found ever counsel, aid, and rest!
I cannot all forsaken be
While still my heart can trust in Thee.
4. Thine office and Thy person show
That Thou great miracles canst do;
Miraculous was, Lord, Thy birth
When Thou wert born a child on earth.
5. And by Thy death Thou mak’st me free
So strangely from all misery.
Jesus, my only God and Lord,
What sweetness in Thy name is stored!
6. No grief can ever be so sore
But Thy sweet name can cheer me more;
So keen no sorrow’s rankling dart
But Thy sweet name can heal my heart.
7. Although my flesh and heart may fail,
I’ll heed it not, I shall not quail;
My Savior, if I have but Thee,
I shall be blest eternally.
8. With heart and soul I’m Thine fore’er;
Sin, death, and hell I need not fear;
The world can show no truth like Thine,
And therefore will I not repine.
9. I know Thou wilt forsake me not,
Thy truth is fixed, though dark my lot;
Thou art my Shepherd, and Thy sheep
From harm forever Thou wilt keep.
10. Jesus, my Boast, my Light, my Joy,
The Treasure naught can e’er destroy,
No words, no song that I can frame
Speak half the sweetness of Thy name.
11. They only all its power shall prove
Whose hearts have learned Thy faith and love;
How many a time I’ve sadly said,
Far better were it I were dead;
12. Far better ne’er the light to see
If I had not this joy in Thee;
For he who hath not Thee in faith,
His very life is merely death.
13. Jesus, my Bridegroom and my Crown,
If Thou but smile, the world may frown;
In Thee lie depths of joy untold,
Far richer than the richest gold.
14. Whenever I but think of Thee,
Thy dews drop down and solace me;
Whene’er I hope in Thee, my Friend,
Thy comfort and Thy peace descend.
15. Whene’er in grief I pray and sing,
I feel new courage in me spring;
Thy Spirit witnesses that this
Is foretaste of eternal bliss.
16. Therefore, while life remains in me,
I’ll bear Thy cross and follow Thee.
Grant me a patient, willing mood;
I know that it shall work my good.
17. Help me to do my task aright,
That it may stand before Thy sight;
Let me this flesh and blood control,
From sin and shame preserve my soul.
18. O keep me steadfast in the faith,
Then I am Thine in life and death.
Jesus, my Comfort, bend to me;
Ah, would I were e’en now with Thee!
Conrad Hojer, 1597.
504
S. M.
In weariness and pain,
By sins and fears opprest,
I turn me to my Rest again,
My soul’s eternal Rest.
2. The Lamb that died for me
And still my load doth bear;
To Jesus’ streaming wounds I flee
And find my quiet there.
3. Jesus, was ever grief,
Was ever love, like Thine?
Thy sorrow, Lord, is my relief,
Thy life hath ransomed mine.
4. O may I rise with Thee
And soar to things above
And spend a blest eternity
In praise of dying love!
Charles Wesley, 1749, a.
505
8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8
Zion mourns in fear and anguish,
Zion, city of our God.
“Ah!” she saith, “how sore I languish,
Bowed beneath so hard a load!
God hath now forsook me quite
And forgot my evil plight.”
Nay, the Lord, who chose thee, spares thee,
For within His heart He bears thee.
2. “Once,” she mourns, “He promised plainly
That His help should aye be near,
Yet I now must seek Him vainly
In my days of woe and fear.
Will He, then, forevermore
Keep His anger and no more
Help His chosen generation
In its present tribulation?”
3. “Zion, surely I have loved thee!”
Thus to her the Highest saith.
“Although many woes have proved thee
And thy soul is sad to death,
Yet now cast thy griefs behind;
Where wilt thou a mother find
For her own child not providing
Or in hatred with it chiding?
4. “And if thou couldst find a mother
Who forgot her infant’s claim
Or whose wrath her love could smother,
Yet would I be still the same;
For My truth is pledged to thee,
Zion, thou art dear to Me;
I within My heart have set thee,
And I never can forget thee.
5. “Let not Satan make thee craven;
He can fight, but cannot harm.
On My hands thy name is graven,
And thy shield is still My arm.
How, then, could it ever be
That I failed to think of thee,
Build the wall of My own city
And look down on thee with pity?
6. “Thou before My eyes art ever,
In My bosom thou art laid
As a nursing child, and never
Shalt thou lack My timely aid.
Me and thee no time nor stress,
War, nor danger, nor distress,
No, nor Satan’s self shall sever,—
Only be thou faithful ever.”
J. Heermann, 1636; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
506
8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8
Let not such a thought e’er pain thee
As that thou art cast away,
But within God’s Word restrain thee,
That far otherwise doth say.
E’en though thou unrighteous art,
True and faithful is God’s heart.
Hast thou death deserved forever?
God’s appeased, despond thou never!
2. Thou art, as is every other,
Tainted by the poison sin,
That the Serpent and our father
Adam, by the Fall, brought in.
But if God’s voice thou dost hear,
“Turn to Me, do good,” ne’er fear,
Be of good cheer, He thy yearning
Will regard, thy prayer ne’er spurning.
3. He is not a bear or lion
Thirsting only for thy blood,
Faithful is thy God in Zion,
Gentle ever is His mood.
God aye as a Father feels,
He’s afflicted by our ills;
Our misfortune sorrow gives Him,
And our dying ever grieves Him.
4. “Truly,” saith He, “as I’m living,
I the death of none desire,
But that men, themselves upgiving,
May be rescued from sin’s mire.”
When a prodigal returns,
God’s heart then with rapture burns,
Wills that not the least one even
Ever from His flock be driven.
5. Shepherd was so faithful never,
Seeking sheep that go astray.
Couldest thou God’s heart see ever
How He cares for them alway,
How it thirsts and sighs and burns
After him who from Him turns,
From His people’s midst doth wander,
Love would make thee weep and ponder.
6. God the good not only loveth,
Those who in His house now dwell,
But His heart compassion moveth
For those whom the Prince of hell
Hath enslaved, the cruel foe,
Who men’s hearts with hate to glow
Makes ’gainst Him, who when He ever
Moves His foot, can make earth quiver.
7. Deep His love and most enduring,
His desire is ever great;
He is calling and alluring
Us to enter heaven’s gate.
When they come, whoe’er they be,
Seeking now that liberty
From the devil’s fangs be given,
Glad are all the hosts of heaven.
8. God and all those with Him dwelling,
’Fore whom heaven must hush its voice
When their Maker’s praise forth telling,
O’er our penitence rejoice;
But what has been done amiss
Covered now and buried is,
All offense to Him we’ve given,—
All, yea all, is now forgiven.
9. From no lake so much is gushing,
No depth is so deep at all,
With such force no stream is rushing,
All compared with God is small;
Naught is like His grace so great,
That remits our mighty debt,
That He ever throweth over
All our lives e’en as a cover.
10. Soul, why art thou sad and dreary?
Rest now and contented be!
Why wilt thou thyself so weary
When there is no need for thee?
Though thy sins appear to thee
Like a vast and shoreless sea,
If with God’s heart thou compare them,
’Twill a trifle seem to bear them.
11. Could we myriad worlds discover,
All sunk in apostasy,
Had the sins there o’er and over
Every one been done by thee,
Oh! still there were less by far
Than the light of grace so clear
Could on earth extinguish ever,
God from greater could deliver.
12. Of such wondrous love and favor
Open wide the door to me;
Everywhere and aye, my Savior,
Tasted be Thy grace by me.
Love me, Lord, and let me be
Nearer ever drawn to Thee
That I may embrace and love Thee,
Nevermore to anger move Thee.
Paul Gerhardt, 1653; J. Kelly, tr.
507
8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7
Whatever God ordains is good!
His righteous will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God; Though dark my road,
He knoweth how to shield me,
Wherefore to Him I yield me.
2. Whatever God ordains is good!
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me,
And take content What He hath sent;
His hand that sends my sadness
Will turn my tears to gladness.
3. Whatever God ordains is good!
His loving thought attends me;
No poisoned draught the cup can be
That my Physician sends me,
But medicine; God true has been.
Of doubt, then, I’ll divest me
And on His goodness rest me.
4. Whatever God ordains is good!
My Life, my Light, can never
Intend me harm; then, to His care
I give myself forever
In weal or woe; For well I know
Some day I shall see clearly
That God did love me dearly.
5. Whatever God ordains is good!
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter to my taste appear
I take it all unshrinking;
For to my heart God will impart
A timely balm of healing
And end each painful feeling.
6. Whatever God ordains is good!
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father’s care Is round me there,
His arms embrace and shield me;
Then to my God I yield me.
Samuel Rodigast, 1675; C. Winkworth, 1863, a.
508
6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7
In God, my faithful God,
I trust when dark my road;
Though many woes o’ertake me,
Yet He will not forsake me;
His love it is doth send them
And, when ’tis best, will end them.
2. My sins assail me sore,
But I despair no more.
I build on Christ, who loves me;
From this Rock nothing moves me.
To Him I all surrender,
To Him, my soul’s Defender.
3. If death my portion be,
Then death is gain to me,
And Christ my Life forever,
From whom death cannot sever;
Come when it may, He’ll shield me,
To Him I wholly yield me.
4. O Jesus Christ, my Lord,
So meek in deed and word,
Thou once didst die to save us,
Because Thou fain wouldst have us
After this life of sadness
The heirs of heavenly gladness.
5. “So be it,” then I say
With all my heart each day.
We, too, dear Lord, adore Thee,
We sing for joy before Thee.
Guide us while here we wander
Till safely landed yonder.
S. Weingaertner, 1607; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
509
7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6
From God shall naught divide me,
For He is true for aye
And on my path will guide me,
Who else should often stray;
His ever-bounteous hand
By night and day is heedful
And gives me what is needful,
Where’er I go or stand.
2. When man’s help and affection
Shall unavailing prove,
God grants me His protection
And proves His power and love;
He helps me in my need,
Delivers me from evil,
From sin and death and devil;
He is my Friend indeed.
3. If sorrow comes, He sent it,
In Him I put my trust;
I never shall repent it,
For He is true and just
And endeth every ill;
My life and soul I render
To God, my strong Defender;
Let Him do as He will.
4. Whate’er shall be His pleasure
Is surely best for me;
He sent His dearest Treasure
That our weak hearts may see
His good and gracious will.
In His own Son He gave us
Whate’er can bless and save us;
Praise Him who loves us still!
5. O praise Him, for He never
Forgets our daily need;
O blest the hour whenever
Our thoughts to Him can speed;
Yea, all the time we spend
Without Him is but wasted,
Till we His joy have tasted,
The joy that hath no end.
6. The world away is passing
With all its pomp and pride;
All we have been amassing
No longer may abide.
But in our earthly bed,
When safely we are sleeping,
God hath us in His keeping,
To wake us from the dead.
7. Our soul shall never perish,
But in yon paradise
The joys of heaven shall cherish.
Our body shall arise
Pure, holy, new-born, free
From every sin and evil;
The tempting of the devil
We then no more shall see.
8. Then, though on earth I suffer
Much trial, well I know
I merit ways still rougher,
And ’tis to heaven I go.
For Christ I know and love,
To Him I now am hasting,
And gladness everlasting
With Him my heart shall prove.
9. Such is His will that made us.
The Father seeks our good;
The Son of sin doth rid us,
And saves us by His blood;
His Spirit rules our ways,
Through faith in us abiding,
To heaven our footsteps guiding.
To Him be thanks and praise!
L. Helmbold, 1563.
510
8, 7, 8, 7
God is Love; His mercy brightens
All the path in which we rove;
Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens:
God is Wisdom, God is Love.
2. Chance and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move,
But His mercy waneth never:
God is Wisdom, God is Love.
3. E’en the hour that darkest seemeth
Will His changeless goodness prove;
From the gloom His brightness streameth:
God is Wisdom, God is Love.
4. He with earthly cares entwineth
Hope and comfort from above;
Everywhere His glory shineth:
God is Wisdom, God is Love.
J. Bowring, 1825.
511
8, 7, 8 l
Who puts his trust In God most just
Hath built his house securely;
He who relies On Jesus Christ,
Heaven shall be his most surely.
Then fixed on Thee My trust shall be,
For Thy truth cannot alter;
While mine Thou art Not death’s worst smart
Shall make my courage falter.
2. Though fiercest foes My course oppose,
A dauntless front I’ll show them;
My Champion Thou, Lord Christ, art now,
Who soon shalt overthrow them;
And if but Thee I have in me
With Thy good gifts and Spirit,
Nor death nor hell, I know full well,
Shall hurt me, through Thy merit.
3. I rest me here Without a fear;
By Thee shall all be given
That I can need, O Friend indeed,
For this life or for heaven.
O keep me true, My heart renew,
My soul and flesh deliver!
Lord, hear my prayer And in Thy care
Keep me in peace forever.
J. Magdeburg, 1572; C. Winkworth, tr.
512
11, 10, 11, 10
Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,
Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel;
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
2. Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure,
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.
3. Here see the Bread of Life, see water flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but Heaven can remove.
T. Moore, 1816. Stanza 3 a.
513
4, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7, 7
God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
God is good; from His compassion
Earthly help and comfort flow;
Strong is His right hand to fashion
All things well for man below.
Trial, oft the most distressing,
In the end has proved a blessing.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
2. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
He who gave the eye its vision,
Shall He slumber once or sleep?
He who gave the ear its mission,
Hears He not His children weep?
God is God; His ear attendeth
When the sigh our bosom rendeth.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
3. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
He who gives the clouds their measure,
Stretching out the heavens alone;
He who stores the earth with treasure,
Is not far from every one.
God in the hour of need defendeth
Him whose heart in love ascendeth.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
4. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
Is thy cross too great and pond’rous,
Cast on Him thy grievous load;
God is great, His love is wondrous,
He will speed thee on the road.
For His truth endureth ever,
And His mercy ceaseth never.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
5. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
Is the yoke of sin too galling?
Christ Himself has set thee free,
Borne for thee their weight appalling,
Cast them in oblivion’s sea!
In thy deepest grief and sadness
He can grant thee joy and gladness.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
6. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
When the world would let thee perish,
Pathless all thy tangled way,
God the nearer draws to cherish
Him who makes the Lord his Stay.
Children oft that most He loveth
Thus with strictest rod He proveth.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
7. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
Heaven’s huge vault may cleave asunder,
Earth’s round globe in ruins burst,
Satan’s fellest rage may thunder,
Death and hell may spend their worst;
Yet will God keep safe and surely
Those who trust in Him securely.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
8. God liveth still!
Soul, despair not, fear no ill!
Be thy life until its ending
Full of thorns, of grief, or need,
God, in love the trial sending,
Thus His child would heavenwards lead.
For this life’s long night of sadness
He will give thee peace and gladness.
Wherefore, then, my soul, despair?
God still lives, who heareth prayer.
J. F. Zihn, 1782; F. E. Cox, tr., a.
514
L. M.
Thy ways, O Lord, with wise design
Are framed upon Thy throne above,
And every dark and bending line
Meets in the center of Thy love.
2. With feeble light and half obscure,
Poor mortals Thine arrangements view,
Not knowing that the least are sure
And the mysterious just and true.
3. Thy flock, Thine own peculiar care,
Though now they seem to roam uneyed,
Are led or driven only where
They best and safest may abide.
4. They neither know nor trace the way;
But whilst they trust Thy guardian eye,
Their feet shall ne’er to ruin stray,
Nor shall the weakest fail or die.
5. My favored soul shall meekly learn
To lay her reason at Thy throne;
Too weak Thy secrets to discern,
I’ll trust Thee for my guide alone.
Ambrose Serle, 1786.
515
L. M.
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 Savior and our Advocate.
5. And thus we come, O God, to-day
And all our woes before Thee lay;
For tried, afflicted, lo! we stand,
Perils and foes on every hand.
6. Ah! hide not for our sins Thy face,
Absolve us through Thy boundless grace,
Be with us in our anguish still,
Free us at last from every ill,
7. That so with all our hearts we may
Once more our glad thanksgivings pay
And walk obedient to Thy Word
And now and ever praise Thee, Lord.
Paul Eber, 1547; C. Winkworth, tr.
516
7s
Seems it in my anguish lone
As if God forsook His own,
Yet I hold the knowledge fast
God will surely help at last.
2. Though awhile it be delayed,
He denieth not His aid;
Though it come not oft with speed,
It will surely come at need.
3. As a father not too soon
Grants his child the longed-for boon,
So our God gives when He will;
Wait His pleasure and be still.
4. I can rest in thoughts of Him
When all courage else grows dim,
For I know my soul shall prove
His is more than father’s love.
5. Would the powers of ill affright,
I can smile at all their might;
Or the cross be pressing sore,
God, my God, lives evermore.
6. Man may hate me causelessly,
Man may plot to ruin me,
Foes my heart may pierce and rend;
God in heaven is still my Friend.
7. Earth against me may declare,
For her love I do not care;
Though the world bear me a grudge,
God, my Father, is my Judge.
8. Earth may all her gifts deny,
Safe my treasure is on high;
And if heaven at last be mine,
All things else I can resign.
9. I renounce thee willingly,
World, I hate what pleases thee.
Baneful every gift of thine;
Only be, my God, still mine.
10. Ah! Lord, if but Thee I have,
Naught of other good I crave;
Bright is even death’s dark road
If but Thou art there, my God.
C. Titius, † 1703; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
517
L. M.
Lord God, who art my Father dear,
I pray in Jesus’ name: O hear
What, trusting in His promised Word,
I humbly ask of Thee, good Lord.
2. Grant us Thy Word, Thy Spirit give,
That by His grace we godly live;
Give shelter, peace, good friends, and food,
Protect our native land, O God.
3. Save us from sin and Satan’s fraud,
Deliver us from evil, God,
Be with us in our dying hour;
Thine is the kingdom, glory, power.
4. Lord, at Thy word Amen I say;
Increase my feeble faith, I pray.
Thou lead’st me with a father’s care;
Oh, let me be Thy child and heir!
J. Mathesius, † 1565; A. Crull, tr.
518
S. M.
Beloved, “It is well!”
God’s ways are always right;
And perfect love is o’er them all
Though far above our sight.
2. Beloved, “It is well!”
Though deep and sore the smart,
The hand that wounds knows how to bind
And heal the broken heart.
3. Beloved, “It is well!”
Though sorrow clouds our way,
’Twill only make the joy more dear
That ushers in the day.
4. Beloved, “It is well!”
The path that Jesus trod,
Though rough and strait and dark it be,
Leads home to heaven and God.
G. W. Doane, 1833.
519
S. M.
My Father! cheering name!
O may I call Thee mine!
Give me with humble hope to claim
A portion so divine.
2. Whate’er Thy will denies
I calmly would resign;
For Thou art just and good and wise,—
Oh, bend my will to Thine!
3. Whate’er Thy will ordains,
Oh, give me strength to bear!
Still let me know a Father reigns
And trust a Father’s care.
4. Thy ways are little known
To my weak, erring sight;
Yet shall my soul, believing, own
That all Thy ways are right.
Anne Steele, 1760, a.
520
6, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
2. Nearer, my Lord, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
Who to Thy cross didst come
Dying for me.
Strengthen my willing feet,
Hold me in service sweet
Nearer, O Christ, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
3. Nearer, O Comforter,
Nearer to Thee!
Who with my loving Lord
Dwellest with me.
Grant me Thy fellowship,
Help me each day to keep
Nearer, my Guide, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
4. But to be nearer still,
Bring me, O God,
Not by the visioned steeps
Angels have trod.
Here where Thy cross I see,
Jesus, I wait for Thee,
Then evermore to be
Nearer to Thee!
Sarah F. Adams, 1841; a. by H. D. Ganse, † 1891.
521
C. M. 8 l
And let this feeble body fail
And let it faint or die;
My soul shall quit the mournful vale
And soar to worlds on high;
Shall join the disembodied saints
And find its long-sought rest,
That only bliss for which it pants,
In my Redeemer’s breast.
2. In hope of that immortal crown
I now the cross sustain
And gladly wander up and down
And smile at toil and pain.
I suffer on my threescore years
Till my Deliverer come
And wipe away His servant’s tears
And take His exile home.
3. Oh, what hath Jesus bought for me!
Before my ravished eyes
Rivers of life divine I see
And trees of paradise!
I see a world of spirits bright
Who reap the pleasures there;
They all are robed in spotless white,
And conquering palms they bear.
4. Oh, what are all my sufferings here
If, Lord, Thou count me meet
With that enraptured host t’appear
And worship at Thy feet!
Give joy or grief, give ease or pain,
Take life or friends away,
But let me find them all again
In that eternal day.
Charles Wesley, 1759, a.
522
L. M.
God of my life, to Thee I call;
Afflicted, at Thy feet I fall:
When the great water-floods prevail,
Leave not my trembling heart to fail.
2. Friend of the friendless and the faint,
Where should I lodge my deep complaint?
Where but with Thee, whose open door
Invites the helpless and the poor?
3. Did ever mourner plead with Thee,
And Thou refuse that mourner’s plea?
Does not the word still fixed remain,
That none shall seek Thy face in vain?
4. That were a grief I could not bear,
Didst Thou not hear and answer prayer;
But a prayer-hearing, answering God
Supports me under every load.
5. Fair is the lot that’s cast for me;
I have an Advocate with Thee;
They whom the world caresses most
Have no such privilege to boast.
6. Poor though I be, despised, forgot,
Yet God, my God, forgets me not;
And he is safe and must succeed
For whom the Lord Himself does plead.
W. Cowper, 1779, a.
523
L. M.
Help me, O Lord, in fear and need,
Have mercy, to my prayer give heed!
I know Thou lov’st me still as Thine,
Though world and hell ’gainst me combine.
2. My God and Lord, I trust in Thee;
What need I if Thou art with me?
And Thou, Lord Jesus Christ, art mine;
My God and Savior, I am Thine.
3. Therefore my happiness is great;
I am content, for Thee I wait,
Trust wholly in Thy name, and then
I know Thy help is sure. Amen.
Martin Moller, 1598.
524
C. M.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
2. Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
5. His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
6. Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
W. Cowper, 1772.
525
7, 6, 8 l
Commit whatever grieves thee
At heart, and all thy ways,
To Him who never leaves thee,
On whom creation stays,
Who freest courses maketh
For clouds and air and wind,
Who care and counsel taketh
A path for thee to find.
2. On God repose forever
If thou wouldst prosper sure;
On his work gaze thou ever,
If thine is to endure.
By anxious care and grieving,
By self-consuming pain,
God is not moved to giving;
By prayer must thou obtain.
3. Thy grace, that ever floweth,
O Father, what is good
Or evil, ever knoweth,
To mortal flesh and blood.
What to Thine eye all-seeing,
And to Thy counsel wise
Seems good must into being,
O mighty Prince, arise.
4. For means it fails Thee never,
Thou always find’st a way,
Thy deeds are blessing ever,
Thy path like brightest day.
Thy work no one can hinder,
Thy labor cannot rest,
If Thou design’st Thy tender
Children should all be blessed.
5. Though all the power of evil
Should rise up to resist,
Without a doubt or cavil
God never will desist;
His undertakings ever
At length He carries through;
What He designs He never
Can fail at all to do.
6. Hope on, thou heart, grief-riven,
In hope courageous be;
Where anguish thee had driven
Thou shalt deliverance see.
God from thy pit of sadness
Shall raise thee graciously;
Wait, and the sun of gladness
Thine eyes shall early see.
7. Arise, to pain and anguish
A long good night now say;
Drive all that makes thee languish
In grief and woe away.
Not thine ’tis to endeavor
The ruler’s part to play;
God sits as Ruler ever,
Guides all things well each day.
8. Let Him alone and tarry,
He is a Prince all-wise,
He shall Himself so carry
’Twill strange seem in thine eyes,
When He, as Him beseemeth,
In wonderful decree,
Shall as Himself good deemeth,
O’errule what grieveth thee.
9. He may, a while still staying,
His comforts keep from thee
And, on His part delaying,
Seem to have utterly
Forgotten and forsaken
And put thee out of mind,
Though grief hath thee o’ertaken,
No time for thee to find.
10. But if thou never shrinkest
And true dost still remain,
He’ll come when least thou thinkest
And set thee free again,
Thee from the load deliver,
That burdeneth thy heart,
That thou hast carried never
For any evil part.
11. Hail! child of faith, who gainest
The victory alway,
Who honor’s crown obtainest,
That never fades away.
God in thy hand will give thee
One day the glorious palm;
Who ne’er in grief did leave thee,
To Him thou’lt sing thy psalm.
12. O Lord, no longer lengthen
Our time of misery;
Our hands and feet do strengthen;
And until death may we
By Thee be watched and cared for,
In faithfulness and love.
So come we where prepared for
Us is our blessed abode.
Paul Gerhardt, 1656; J. Kelly, tr., a.
526
7, 6, 8 l
If God Himself be for me,
I may a host defy,
For when I pray, before me
My foes confounded fly.
If Christ, my Head and Master,
Befriend me from above,
What foe or what disaster
Can drive me from His love?
2. This I believe—yea, rather,
Of this I make my boast,
That God is my dear Father,
The Friend who loves me most;
And that, whate’er betide me,
My Savior is at hand
Through stormy seas to guide me
And bring me safe to land.
3. I build on this foundation,
That Jesus and His blood
Alone are my salvation,
The true, eternal good;
Without Him all that pleases
Is valueless on earth;
The gifts I owe to Jesus
Alone my love are worth.
4. My Jesus is my Splendor,
My soul’s bright-beaming Sun;
Were He not my Defender
Before God’s awful throne,
I never should find favor
And mercy in His sight,
But be destroyed forever,
As darkness by the light.
5. He canceled my offenses
And saved my soul from death;
’Tis He who ever cleanses
Me from my sins through faith.
In Him I can be cheerful,
Bold, and undaunted aye;
In Him I am not fearful
Of God’s great Judgment Day.
6. Naught, naught can e’er condemn me
Nor set my hope aside;
Now hell no more can claim me,
Its fury I deride.
No sentence e’er reproves me,
No ill destroys my peace,
For Christ, my Savior, loves me
And screens me with His grace.
7. His Spirit in me dwelleth,
And o’er my mind He reigns.
All sorrow He dispelleth
And soothes away all pains.
He crowns His work with blessing
And helpeth me to cry,
“My Father!” without ceasing,
To Him who dwells on high.
8. To mine His Spirit speaketh
Sweet words of holy cheer,
How God, to Him that seeketh
For rest, is always near,
And how He hath erected
A city fair and new,
Where what our faith expected
We evermore shall view.
9. In yonder home doth flourish
My heritage, my lot;
Though here I die and perish,
My heaven shall fail me not.
Though care my life oft saddens
And causeth tears to flow,
The light of Jesus gladdens
And sweetens every woe.
10. Who clings with resolution
To Him whom Satan hates
Must look for persecution;
For him the burden waits
Of mockery, shame, and losses,
Heaped on his guiltless head;
A thousand plagues and crosses
Shall be his daily bread.
11. All this I am prepared for,
Yet am I not afraid;
By Thee shall all be cared for,
To whom my vows were paid.
Though life and limb it cost me
And everything I have,
Unshaken shall I trust Thee,
Thee never shall I leave.
12. Though earth be rent asunder,
Thou’rt mine eternally;
Not fire nor sword nor thunder
Shall sever me from Thee;
Not hunger, thirst, nor danger,
Not pain nor poverty,
Nor mighty princes’ anger,
Shall ever hinder me.
13. No angel and no gladness,
No throne, no pomp, no show,
No love, no hate, no sadness,
No pain, no depth of woe,
No scheme of man’s contrivance,
However small or great,
Shall draw me from Thy guidance
Nor from Thee separate.
14. My heart for joy is springing
And can no more be sad,
’Tis full of mirth and singing,
Sees naught but sunshine glad.
The Sun that cheers my spirit
Is Jesus Christ, my King;
That which I shall inherit
Hereafter, makes me sing.
Rom. 8, 31-39. Paul Gerhardt, 1664; R. Massie, tr., a.