Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 18

Then, people dear, Hope ever here On Him who aye relieves you; His throne before Your hearts outpour, Tell Him whatever grieves you!

Ah! G.o.d our Shield! Thy word how sweet It sounds to Thine afflicted: "I'll come to thee with succour meet, When thy heart is dejected.

He loveth me, So lov'd shall be, Secure for aye I'll make him, From care all free Shall sit by me, I'll to my bosom take him."

The Lord to them is ever nigh Who trustfully draw near Him, He's at their side whene'er they cry, Helps them o'ercome, who fear Him.

In misery Who low do lie, He raiseth and relieveth, And joy imparts To fainting hearts, Them pow'r and might he giveth.

"In truth, who my great name doth fear,"

Saith Christ, "and firm believeth, G.o.d doth regard his pray'r sincere, His heart's wish freely giveth."

Then one and all Draw near and call, Who asketh, he obtaineth; Who seeketh there, The fruit so fair With great advantage gaineth.

Hear what yon unjust judge doth say: "This widow's supplication I must regard, lest day by day Her coming cause vexation."

His people's cry Shall G.o.d deny, Who day and night are praying?

It cannot be, He'll set them free From woe, not long delaying.

For when the just shed tears through care, G.o.d soon with joy relieveth, To those who broken-hearted are, Again He laughter giveth.

He'll suffer woe Who will below 'Mid men be G.o.dly living; But at his side Will G.o.d abide, Him grace sufficient giving.

"A moment I've forsaken thee, And left thee in temptation; With mercy great, as thou shalt see, And boundless consolation, I'll give the crown, And to the throne Of glory shall I raise thee, To joy convert Thy grief and hurt, Thou evermore shalt praise me."

Ah! gracious G.o.d, ah! Father's heart!

For years my consolation!

Why dost Thou let me feel such smart, Pa.s.s through such tribulation?

My sad heart aches, My eye awakes, And bitter tears sheds ever, My face once bright Doth lose its light, From sighing ceasing never.

How long, O blessed Lord! wilt Thou, Unmindful of me, leave me?

How long shall I in grief lie low, And inward sorrow grieve me?

How long wilt chide, And Thy face hide, In darkness let me languish?

Say, when care's load Shall cease, my G.o.d!

To wring my heart with anguish?

Wilt Thou eternally repel, And show Thy goodness never?

And shall Thy word and promise fail, Be put to shame for ever?

Doth wrath so burn, That Thou'lt ne'er turn To me, and stand beside me?

Yet, Lord, I will Cleave to Thee still, Thy hand in all can guide me.

My heart amid earth's misery For Thee, O Lord! is aching; My G.o.d! I wait and hope in Thee, Let not shame me o'ertaking; Thy friend in woe Plunge, or the foe Give cause for jubilation; But, Lord, may I Rejoice, rais'd high, In glorious exaltation.

Ah! Lord, Thou true and faithful art, Thy heart can ne'er disown me; Nerve me in fight to bear my part, With victory then crown me!

Lay Thou on me The load, by Thee Appointed, that I bear it.

When Thou the rod Dost use, my G.o.d!

In measure may I share it!

Thy strength, O Lord! is infinite, Thy hand hath all created, Could all again with ruin smite, Its pow'r is unabated.

We sound Thy name With high acclaim, As Lord of Hosts we own Thee!

In counsel right No skill nor might Can foil, nor e'er dethrone Thee.

Thou who dost Israel console, Thou, Saviour, in affliction!

Ah! why permittest Thou my soul To sink in sore dejection?

Thou dost not rest, Thou'rt as a guest, Who'rt in the land a stranger!

A hero Thou Whose courage low Sinks 'fore disgrace or danger?

Nay, Lord, not such a one art Thou!

My inmost heart believeth; Thou standest firm, 'mid us shines now The light that Thy word giveth.

Here restest Thou, Lord, with us now; Who call upon Thee ever, At fitting hour Wilt by Thy pow'r From ev'ry woe deliver.

O Lord! my lengthen'd tale is o'er, Then hear Thou my pet.i.tion, Help me, who often at Thy door Have knock'd, and sought admission.

Help, Helper, me!

I'll joyfully Thankoff'rings lay before Thee; And when life's o'er Shall evermore In heav'n above adore Thee.

'TIS PATIENCE MUST SUPPORT YOU.--HEB. X. 35-37.

'Tis patience must support you When sorrow, grief, or smart, Or whate'er else may hurt you, Doth rend your aching heart.

Belov'd and chosen seed!

If not a death will kill you, Yet once again I tell you, 'Tis patience that you need.

The cup of patience drinketh With nausea flesh and blood, Back from the cross it shrinketh; When threaten'd with the rod, It shuddereth with fear.

'Tis bold when nought a.s.saileth, Heart shrinks, and courage faileth, When storms and rain are here.

Why patience causeth sadness, Is that the carnal mind Unclouded joy and gladness In G.o.d aye hop'd to find, Though He hath made it clear, He chastens whom He loveth, And whom He much approveth, He much afflicteth here.

G.o.d giveth patience ever, The Spirit in the breast Begetteth it whenever Within us He doth rest; The worthy, n.o.ble Guest Preserves us from despairing, And nerves for burden-bearing The heart when sore distress'd.

From faith all patience springeth, On G.o.d's own word depends, To this she firmly clingeth, Herself with this defends.

'Tis her high tow'r and wall, Where she securely hideth, Where G.o.d for her provideth, Here fears she ne'er a fall.

And patience trust reposeth On Jesu's death and pain; When Satan her opposeth, Here takes she heart again, And saith, "Thou Prince of h.e.l.l!

Thou never shalt devour me, Too high I'm lifted o'er thee, In Jesus do I dwell."

Contented patience stayeth On G.o.d's decree all-wise; Although His grace delayeth, Scarce feels fatigue arise; With trust she bears her load, And joyfully endureth, This thought her heart a.s.sureth, It is the hand of G.o.d.

Long, long, can patience waiting The weary time beguile, On G.o.d's word meditating Get saving good the while.

With earnest fervent pray'r, Each morn and eve she guardeth Herself from ill, and wardeth Off Satan's every snare.

To G.o.d's will patience boweth, Doth His command fulfil, 'Mid scorn of foes she knoweth 'Tis wisest to be still.

Who will, let him despise, Unhurt by the dishonour And shame thus put upon her, Her heart doth o'er it rise.

To honour patience serveth Her G.o.d, and never more From love and fealty swerveth; Although He smiteth sore, Yet doth she ever praise His holy hand, and telleth That G.o.d on high who dwelleth, Doth well in all his ways.

And patience life sustaineth, Adds to our tale of years; She drives away what paineth The heart, and stills its fears.

It is a beauteous light That giveth him who heedeth, And whom G.o.d's guidance leadeth, A face with joy all bright.

Great joy from patience springeth, The head a n.o.ble crown, Gems for the neck she bringeth From throne of Heaven down.

She wipes from weeping eyes The tears of grief and anguish; Whose souls with longing languish, With ample good supplies.

My soul for patience sigheth, My heart longs eagerly, How urgently it crieth And oft is known to Thee, Of grace who hast full store!

Lord, hear my supplication, Give patient resignation; I ask for nothing more.