Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 28

While springeth fast the precious grain, The young and old exult again, Praise Him with all their powers, Whose benefits unceasing are, With gifts so manifold and rare Who human nature dowers.

I cannot rest, I never dare, In my Creator's gracious care My inmost soul rejoices, To G.o.d most High, when all things raise A song of universal praise, My voice shall join their voices.

Methinks it is so pleasant here, All things so beautiful appear In this our poor world even; What will it be when earth we leave, And at its golden gates receive Glad welcome into Heaven?

What purest light, what ecstasy, Will in the Saviour's garden be!

How will it sound when 'fore Thee, All with united heart and voice, Ten thousand seraphins rejoice And rev'rently adore Thee.

Ah! blessed G.o.d, oh! were I there Before Thy throne, and did I bear My branch of palm victorious, As angels do, my voice I'd raise Thine ever blessed name to praise, In songs of triumph glorious.

But though I still am dwelling here, And still the body's burden bear, Can I be silent?--Never!

My heart, no matter where I be, Or here or there, shall bend to Thee, In adoration ever.

Help! Lord, my soul with blessings crown, With blessings that from Heav'n flow down, That I may blossom ever!

And may the summer of Thy grace Cause fruits of faith to grow apace, Fruits that shall wither never.

And may Thy Spirit dwell in me, May I a good branch ever be Ingrafted in the Saviour!

In Thine own garden may I be To Thy name's praise a goodly tree, Implanted by Thy favour!

Grant me Thy paradise to share, And more fruit may I ever bear While I am going thither.

Thine honour, Lord, to me is dear, Thee and Thee only shall I here And yonder serve for ever.

OCCASIONED BY GREAT AND UNSEASONABLE RAIN.

O G.o.d! who dost Heav'n's sceptre wield What is it that now makes our field, And everything that it doth bear, Such sad and ruin'd aspect wear?

Nought else, in truth, but that the band Of men from Thee on every hand Have fallen utterly away, Their guilt increasing every day.

They who as G.o.d's own property His name should praise continually, And of G.o.d's word should love the light, Like heathen are involv'd in night.

The Heav'ns are all with darkness clad, The firmament's clear light doth fade; We wait to see the light again At dawn of day, but wait in vain.

In ceaseless strifes involv'd men are, In every place is fearful war, In every corner hate and spite, Contentions every cla.s.s delight.

The elements o'er all the land Are stretching out 'gainst us the hand, And troubles from the sea arise, And troubles come down from the skies.

It is a time of anguish sore, For hunted, plagued their time before The people are into the grave, No rest to them do they vouchsafe.

The source of joy becometh sad, The sun hath ceas'd to make us glad, And all at once the clouds descend, Shed tears that never seem to end.

Ah, child of man! go weep alone, Thy many grievous sins bemoan, Henceforward from thy crimes refrain, Repent, and be thou clean again.

Fall on thy knees, thyself now throw On G.o.d, that He may mercy show, That His deserved wrath may be By Him to grace turn'd speedily.

He's faithful, and aye true will be, Nought else desireth but that we With reverence and G.o.dly fear To seek His mercy should draw near.

Ah! Father, Father, hear our cry, Redeem us, 'neath sin's yoke we lie, From out the world drawn may we be, And Thou Thyself turn us to Thee.

Subdue Thou our rebellious mood, And make us, sinners, pure and good; Whom Thou dost turn, soon turn'd is he, Who heareth Thee, is heard by Thee!

And let Thine eye now friendly be, The anguish'd cry that reacheth Thee From earth, from our sad hearts, O Lord, With gracious ear do Thou regard.

Wrath's black robe tear off with Thy hand And comfort Thou us and our land, And may the genial sun shine forth And ripen the fair fruits of earth.

And, Lord, as long as we may live Our daily bread in bounty give, And when the end of time we see The bread give of eternity!

THANKSGIVING FOR GRACIOUS SUNSHINE.

Now gone is all the rain, Rejoice my heart again, Sing after times of sadness To G.o.d thy Lord with gladness!

Our G.o.d His heart hath turned Our pray'r He hath not spurned.

On sea and on our land Outstretched was His hand, In anger us addressing; He said, "Ye're aye transgressing, In ways of sin ye wander, Nor ever turn, nor ponder.

"So shall my Heaven's light Its countenance so bright With robe of blackness cover, With dark clouds be spread over; No longer shine in glory But shall be weeping o'er thee."

Appeas'd His wrath our sighs That to His ears did rise, For He forgetteth never His mercy that dures ever, His Spirit tow'rd us yearning, His anger ceas'd from burning.

The clouds away then sped, The path the damp winds tread, From whence the rain descended, Was clos'd, the torrents ended, And from the deeps of Heaven No waters more were given.

Now wearied field away Thy robe of sadness lay, Arise from out thy sadness And let us hear with gladness Thee songs of summer raising, Thy great Creator praising.

The glorious sun, see there, Comes forth again so fair, With blessings earth doth cover; Now all the rains are over, Hills, valleys are receiving Its wondrous beams life-giving.

The earth's reviv'd again; What drown'd was by the rain Will once again be living And precious fruit be giving, The fields good wheat forth bringing, In meadows gra.s.s be springing.

The trees so very fair Fruit-laden will stand there; From hill-sides like a river Will wine and oil flow ever; In warm and quiet weather Will bees their honey gather.

Our portion He will give Who in the Heav'ns doth live.

He'll bounteously bestow it, We shall partake and know it; And what earth will supply us Will amply satisfy us.

G.o.d faithful is and true, His mercy's ever new, His anger soon is turned.

He gives what we've ne'er earned He doth Himself discover To us, our sins looks over.

O man! direct thy ways, And all thou dost, to praise Thy Master's love and favour, So that thy heart may never His faithful heart be grieving, To Him offence be giving!

THE WONDERFUL ESTATE OF MATRIMONY.[10]

Full of wonder, full of art, Full of wisdom, full of pow'r, Full of kindness, grace, and heart, Full of comfort flowing o'er, Full of wonder, still I say, Is Love's chaste and gentle sway.

Those who've never met before, Ne'er each other known nor seen, Never in the idlest hour Thus employ'd their thoughts have been, Yet whose hearts and hands in love Tieth G.o.d who lives above!

His child doth _this_ father guide, _That_ one traineth his each day, Each their special wind and tide Speed upon their sep'rate way, When the time appointed's there, Lo! they're a well-mated pair!