Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#347

347. Let not such a thought e'er pain thee

1 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 thou God’s voice 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
Who in His house ever dwell,
But His heart compassion moveth
Tow’rds 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 is and enduring,
His desire is ever great,
He is calling and alluring
Us to enter heaven’s wide 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 on high who’re 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 offence 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 thou with God’s heart compare them,
’Twill a trifle seem to bear them.

11 Could we myriad worlds discover
All sunk in apostacy,
Had the sins there o’er and over
Every one been done by thee,
Oh! still they 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 Saviour,
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,
Never more to anger move Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Let not such a thought e'er pain thee
• Meter: 8,7,8,7,7,7,8,8.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1893
• Topic: The Cross and Comfort
• Notes: J. Kelly, Tr.; German: Weg, mein Herz, mit dem Gedanken - P. Gerhardt, 1653

Tune Information

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