Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 19

For patience the pet.i.tion Shall often up to Thee, From out my low condition, Ascend, O Lord, from me.

And in my dying hour, Thy mercy still extending, Oh! grant a patient ending, Then need I nothing more.

WHAT PLEASETH G.o.d!

What pleaseth G.o.d, my faithful child, Receive with joy; although the wild And wintry wind thy heart appal, Have faith, thee only can befal What pleaseth G.o.d!

The will of G.o.d is aye the best, In it we can so calmly rest; Thyself to it anew resign, And only seek to have as thine What pleaseth G.o.d!

G.o.d's counsel is the only wise; Soon comes to nought what men devise; Their projects fall, fall out of use, Oft mischief work, not oft produce What pleaseth G.o.d!

G.o.d's mood is the most gracious mood, To all intending, doing good; He blesses, though hard words may speak The wicked world, and never seek What pleaseth G.o.d!

The truest heart is G.o.d's own heart, Who bids our misery depart; Who screens and shelters, day and night, The man who makes his chief delight What pleaseth G.o.d!

Ah! could I sing, as sing I would, From out my heart, and ever should, I'd ope my mouth--in Him rejoice, This moment praise with heart and voice What pleaseth G.o.d!

His counsel wise would I make known, The works of wonder He hath done; His saving grace, eternal pow'r, That work producing every hour What pleaseth G.o.d.

He rules above and rules below; On Him hangs all our weal and woe; He bears the world in His high hand, For us brings forth the sea and land What pleaseth G.o.d!

His hands the elements restrain; His hands our mortal life sustain-- Give summer, winter, day, and night, That evermore to do delight What pleaseth G.o.d!

His host, the stars, the moon, and sun, Their wonted courses ever run; Corn, oil, and must, bread, wine, and beer, The fruitful earth brings forth each year, Which pleaseth G.o.d!

His understanding is all wise, He knows--they are before his eyes, Who evil think and evil do, As well as who the good pursue That pleaseth G.o.d!

His little flock to Him is dear; When sinning they forsake His fear, He chastens with His Father's rod, Till they return and do the good That pleaseth G.o.d!

What cheers and strengtheneth our heart He knows, and ever doth impart Whatever good each one requires, Who seeks for good and aye desires What pleaseth G.o.d!

Is't so? then let the world retain What pleaseth her, and she deems gain; But thou in G.o.d delighted be, My heart! approve whate'er you see That pleaseth G.o.d!

Let others then in haughty mood Rejoice in stores of earthly good; But thou the Cross with patience bear, Contented if thou hast the share That pleaseth G.o.d!

Dost live in sorrow, sunk in grief, Hast much affliction--no relief?

Still murmur not, for thou dost bear In this thy bitter life of care What pleaseth G.o.d!

In suff'rings art thou doom'd to live?

Then to thy great Protector cleave; The world and all the creatures too Are under G.o.d, can only do What pleaseth G.o.d!

Doth ev'ry one despise Thy name?

Do foes Thee scorn and treat with shame?

Be not cast down, for Christ will raise Thy head, who seeth in thy ways What pleaseth G.o.d!

Faith fastens on the Saviour's love Works patience, hope that looks above; Lock both within thy secret heart, Thou'lt have as thine eternal part What pleaseth G.o.d!

Thy part is in the Heav'nly throne, There is thy sceptre, kingdom, crown; There shalt thou taste, and hear, and see, There shall for ever happen thee What pleaseth G.o.d!

IN DESPONDENCY AND TEMPTATION.

Look up to thy G.o.d again, Soul, sunk in affliction!

Shall He be reproach'd by men Through thy sore dejection?

Satan's wiles dost thou not see?

By severe temptation, Gladly would he keep from thee Jesu's consolation.

Shake thy head in scorn, and "flee,"

Bid the old deceiver-- "Wilt renew thy thrusts at me, Me to fear deliver?

Serpent! bruis'd thy head I see; Through His pain hath freed me From thy grasp, my Lord, and He To His joy will lead me.

"Dost thou charge my sin to me?

When did G.o.d command me Judgment to require from thee?

Tell me, I demand thee!

Who did pow'r on thee bestow Sentence to deliver?

Who thyself art sunk so low In h.e.l.l's flames for ever."

What I have not done aright Me with sorrow filleth, But of Jesu's blood the sight All mine anguish stilleth.

He the ransom price hath paid, From the cross relieves me, When before G.o.d's throne 'tis laid, Inward joy He gives me.

In Christ's innocence I boast, His right is my glory, Mine His merit, there I trust As in stronghold h.o.a.ry, That the rage of every foe Evermore resisteth, Though the might of h.e.l.l below It to storm a.s.sisteth.

Rage then, devil, and thou, death!

Ye can never hurt me; In the trials of my path Doth G.o.d's grace support me.

G.o.d His only Son to me, Mov'd by love, hath given, That to endless misery I may not be driven.

Cry then, foolish world! amain, That G.o.d lov'd me never, That my cherish'd hope is vain, Has deceiv'd me ever.

Had G.o.d been averse to me, Would He have supported All the gifts so rich and free He to me imparted?

What is there in sky or sea, What the wide earth over, What that works no good for me, Canst thou then discover?

Why do star so beauteously Shine on us from Heaven?

Why are, but for good to me, Air and water given?

Why do clouds their streams outpour?

Why do dews earth cover?

Why with verdure's cover'd o'er, Why flow blessings over Hill and valley, field and wood?

Truly for my pleasure, That I dwell secure, and food Have in plenteous measure.

My soul on G.o.d's word most dear Feeds and liveth ever, That all Christians love to hear Daily, tiring never.

Soon and late my heart in me G.o.d opes for receiving Of the Spirit's grace that He Is so freely giving.

Why through holy men of old Have G.o.d's words been given?

That we by their light might hold On our way to heaven, My heart's darkness to dispel, From doubt to deliver, That the conscience sure and well, Be establish'd ever.

Now upon this holy ground Build I most securely, See how h.e.l.l's malicious hound, Spends 'gainst me his fury.

He can never overthrow What G.o.d hath upraised, But what Satan's hand doth do That shall be abased.