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Be Thou Contented

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 9.8.9.8.4.5.4.5.5 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: Be thou contented! aye relying Lyrics: Be thou contented! aye relying On thy God, who life is giving, For He hath joys soul satisfying, Wanting Him—in vain thy striving. Thy Spring is He, Thy Sun that ever Rejoiceth thee, And setteth never. Be thou contented! He lightens, comforts, and supports thee, True in heart, by guile unstainèd; When He is near nought ever hurts thee, E’en when smitten sore and painèd. Cross, need, and woe He soon averteth, O’er the last foe His pow’r asserteth. Be thou contented! How it fareth with thee and others, Truly none from Him concealeth, He ever from on high discovers Burden’d hearts, and for them feeleth. Of weeping eyes The tears He counteth, The pile of sighs ’Fore Him high mounteth. Be thou contented! When not another on earth liveth, To whom safe thou may’st confide thee, He’ll faithful prove, who ne’er deceiveth, And to happiest end will guide thee. The secret grief Thy soul that boweth, And when relief To give, He knoweth. Be thou contented! The sighing of thy soul He ever, And thy heart’s deep plaint is hearing; What to another thou wouldst never Tell, reveal to God, ne’er fearing. He is not far, But standeth near thee, Who poor men’s pray’r Marks, soon will hear thee. Be thou contented! To God cleave, He’ll salvation show thee, Let not anguish then depress thee; Although devouring floods o’erflow thee, Rise above it, He will bless thee. When ’neath the load Thy back low bendeth, Thy Prince and God Soon succour sendeth. Be thou contented! Why for thy life should care so grieve thee, How to nourish and sustain it? Thy God, who ever life doth give thee, Will provide for and maintain it. He hath a hand With gifts o’erflowing, On sea and land For aye bestowing. Be thou contented! Who for the forest songsters careth, To their daily portion leads them, For sheep and ox enough prepareth, Slakes their thirst, with plenty feeds them; He’ll care for thee, Thee, lone one! filling, So bounteously Thy hunger stilling. Be thou contented! Say not, the means nowhere appeareth, Where I seek, my effort faileth; God this high name of honour beareth, Helper, when no help availeth! When thou and I Fail to discover Him, speedily He’ll us recover. Be thou contented! Although away thy help is staying, He will not for ever leave thee; Tho’ anxious makes thee His delaying, ’Tis for thy greater good, believe me. What on the way To come ne’er hasteth, Doth longer stay, And sweeter tasteth. Be thou contented! Though ’gainst thee hosts of foes are scheming, Let not all their lies affright thee; Still let them rage against thee, deeming God will hear it and will right thee. Doth God support Thee and thine ever? The foe can hurt Or ruin never. Be thou contented! To each his share of ill is given, Would he only see and know it; No course on earth so fair and even, That no trouble lurks below it. Who can declare, “My house was ever All free from care, And troubled never?” Be thou contented! So must it be, in vain our grieving, All men here must suffer ever, Whate’er upon the earth is living, Evil days avoideth never. Affliction’s blow Doth oft depress us, And lays us low, And death then frees us. Be thou contented! A day will dawn of rest and blessing, When our God will come and save us From the vile body’s bands depressing, And the evils that enslave us. Death soon will come, From woe deliver, And take us home Then all together. Be thou contented! He’ll bring us to the hosts in glory, To the chosen and true-hearted, Who when they clos’d this life’s sad story, Hence in peace to joy departed, And on the shore, The ever-vernal, Hear evermore, The voice eternal. Be thou contented!

A Song of Christian Joy

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.3.3.6.8.3.3.6 Appears in 22 hymnals First Line: Why should sorrow ever grieve me? Lyrics: 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 mine own, To my faith hath given? 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 forsake me. Nought—not e’en the life I’m living, Is mine 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. 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. 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, Though united world and devil, All their pow’r Can no more Do than mock and cavil. Let derision now employ them, Christ e’en here Will appear And ’fore all destroy them. True believers shrinking never, Where they dwell Should reveal Their true colours ever. When approaching death would scare them, Still should they Patient stay And with courage bear them. Death can never kill us even, But relief From all grief To us then is given. It doth close life’s mournful story, Make a way That we may Pass to heav’nly glory. There I’ll reap enduring pleasure, After woe Here below Suffer’d in large measure. Lasting good we find here never, All the earth Deemeth worth Vanisheth for ever. What is all this life possesseth? But a hand Fall of sand That the heart distresseth. Noble gifts that pall me never, Christ so free There gives me To enjoy for ever. Shepherd! Lord! joy’s fountain ever, 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. Thou’rt mine, for 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!

Christian Devotion to God’s Will

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.7.8.7.4.4.7.4.4.7 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: I into God's own heart and mind Lyrics: I into God’s own heart and mind My heart and mind deliver, What evil seems, a gain I find, E’en death is life for ever. I am His son, Who spread the throne Of heaven high above me. Tho’ I bend low Beneath His blow, Yet still His heart doth love me. He ne’er can prove untrue to me, My Father aye must love me, And tho’ He cast me in the sea, He only thus would prove me; In what He good Doth count, He would My heart establish ever. And if I stand, His mighty hand Will raise me, and deliver. Vain had my own pow’r ever been, To have adorn’d or made me; In soul and body God is seen, He form’d and He array’d me, Plac’d mind and wit On the soul’s seat, And flesh and bones did give me. Who thus so free Supplieth me Can ne’er mean to deceive me. Say, where a place to lay my head, On earth had I attainèd? Long since had I been cold and dead Had God not me sustainèd With His strong arm, That ever warm, And glad and healthy maketh. Whom He gives joy May praise employ, What He leaves, falls and breaketh. Wisdom and understanding true In Him are ever dwelling; Time, place, to leave undone or do, He knoweth, never failing. He ever knows When joys, when woes, Are best for those He loveth. What He doth here— Tho’ it appear Ill—to be good aye proveth. Thou think’st indeed, if thou hast not What flesh and blood is yearning To have, that trial mars thy lot, Thy light to darkness turning. Of toil and care Thou hast large share, Ere thou thy wish attainest, And dost not see Whatever thee Befals, thereby thou gainest. In truth, He who created thee, His glory in thee showing, Hath long ago in His decree Determin’d—all foreknowing— What good for thee And thine will be, In faithfulness he’ll give it. Curb thou thy will, Wait! be thou still, To His good pleasure leave it. Whate’er to send, seems good to God, ’Twill be at last refreshing, Altho’ thou call’st it cross and load ’Tis fraught with richest blessing. Wait patiently, His grace to thee He’ll speedily discover. All grief and fear Shall disappear Like mist the hills spread over. The field, unless the storm rage high, Its ripe fruits yieldeth never, So men were ruin’d utterly If all were prosp’rous ever. Though health it gives, And thus relieves, The bitter aloe paineth; So must the heart With anguish smart, Ere it to health attaineth. My God! my God! into Thy hand I joyfully now yield me, Keep me, a stranger in the land, E’en to the end, Lord! shield me. Deal with me now As well dost know, That I may profit by it; Then more and more Thy glorious pow’r, Lord! show, and magnify it. Wilt cause Thy sun on me to shine, With pleasure, Lord, I’ll share it; Should trial or mischance be mine, Then patiently I’ll bear it. Of life the door Should it before Me open here stand ever, Where Thou lead’st me, I’ll joyfully Go with Thee, shrinking never. Should I along the path of death, Through the dark vale be treading, ’Tis well, ’tis the appointed path, E’en there Thine eyes are leading. My Shepherd! Thou Art all below To such an issue bringing, That I to Thee, Eternally, Shall songs of praise be singing.

Song of Consolation

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: Thou must not altogether be Lyrics: Thou must not altogether be O’ercome by sad vexation, God soon will cause to shine on thee The light of consolation. In patience wait, and be thou still, And let the Lord do what He will, He never can do evil. Is this the first time we have known And tasted sore affliction? What have we had but grief alone On earth, and sore dejection? We’ve had an ample share of grief, Yet God hath sometimes sent relief, A respite brief of gladness. Not so doth God our Father mean, When His afflictions grieve us, That no more shall His face be seen That He’ll for ever leave us; His purposes quite other are, That those who from Him wander far By trial be recover’d. It is our nature’s evil mood That when in joys we’re living, We then forsake our highest good, Ourselves to license giving. We earthly are, and deem more worth The things and pleasures of the earth, Than all that dwells in heaven. God therefore all our joys doth blight, Lets trials overtake us, Takes that wherein our hearts delight, Look up to Him to make us, That to His goodness and His pow’r, That we’ve neglected heretofore, We may return as children. When we return to Him again He graciously receives us, To joy He turns our every pain, To laughter turns what grieves us; To Him it is a simple art, He soon doth help to him impart Whom He with love embraceth. Afflicted band! oh, fall ye now With contrite hearts before Him, Tell Him that ye in homage bow To His great name; implore Him In grace your sins to take away, The load He on your backs did lay To bear, your wounds to bind up. Grace always before right must go, And wrath to love yield ever; His merest mercy, when we low Are lying, must deliver. His hand it is upholds us all, If we let go, then break and fall Must all our work to pieces. On God’s love must thou ever stay, Nor let aught overthrow thee, E’en when the heav’ns shall pass away And earth shall crash below thee: God promiseth His grace to thee, His word is clear, who fearlessly Trusts it, is ne’er deceivèd. So darest thou His pow’r so great Ne’er doubt a moment even, Who is it that doth all create,— By whom all gifts are given? God doth it, and His counsel wise Can ever ways and means devise, When every man despaireth. Seems help impossible to thee? This should’st thou know however, God by our narrow thoughts can be Hemm’d and confinèd never, This ne’er to us alloweth He; He everywhere,—His arm is free,— Doth more than we can fathom. What is His wide dominion fair? ’Tis full of varied wonder; He helpeth us when dark despair We helplessly sink under, To His great name this is the praise, If thou wilt see His holy place, Thou must ascribe for ever.

The 13th Psalm of David

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: How long, Lord, in forgetfulness Lyrics: How long, Lord, in forgetfulness And darkness wilt Thou leave me? How long will sorrow on me press And deep heart-anguish grieve me? Wilt Thou Thy face, Lord, utterly Turn from me? wilt ne’er look on me In grace and in compassion? How long shall I, thy stricken child, Bereft of soul-rest languish? How long shall storm and wind so wild, Fill heart with fear and anguish? How long shall my proud enemy, Who only meaneth ill to me, Exult o’er me in triumph? Ah! look on me, my Shield and Lord! Down from Thy holy heaven, And hear now my complaining word, My pray’r from heart grief-riven. Give to mine eyes, Lord, pow’r and might, And do not let death’s gloomy night So speedily o’ertake me. For then, Lord, ev’ry enemy Would never cease to glory, And were I prostrate utterly, Would ever triumph o’er me. “There lieth he,” they’d cry in joy, “Who caus’d us evermore annoy, He’s prostrate and ne’er riseth.” I know them, and I know fall well The wickedness they’re planning, Their hearts with ev’ry evil swell, No good them e’er restraining. But Thou, the faithful One, Lord, art, And those who choose Thee for their part, Thou nevermore forsakest. My soul doth calmly trust in Thee, Thou true to me remainest, Of malice and of subtlety The course, with pow’r restrainest. This makes my heart with joy o’erflow, That willingly dost Thou bestow Salvation on the trusting. O Lord! for aye I’ll trust in Thee, Thou’rt my sole joy for ever; Thou doest well, protectest me, From sorrow dost deliver. And therefore I my whole life long, Will sing Thee oft a gladsome song Of praise and of thanksgiving.

In grateful songs your voices raise

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 3 hymnals Lyrics: In grateful songs your voices raise, All people here below, To Him whom angels ever praise, In heav’n His glory show. With gladsome songs now fill the air To God our chiefest Joy, Who worketh wonders ev’rywhere, Whose hands great things employ; Who from the womb to latest years Upholds the life He gave; Who when no help from man appears Himself appears to save; Who though our way His heart oft grieves, Maintains a gracious mood, Remits the pains, the sin forgives, And doth us nought but good. Oh, may He give a joyous heart, The mind from sorrow keep, And cast all care, fear, grief, and smart Into the ocean deep. And may His blessing ever rest On Israel’s favour’d head; May all we do by Him be bless’d, May His salvation spread. May love and goodness toward us flow, In bounteous streams each day, And every anxious care we know, Be chas’d by Him away. As long as beats each throbbing heart, Our Saviour may He be, Our portion when from earth we part, To all eternity. When sinks the heart, when strength decays, By Him our eyes be press’d, Then may we see His open face, In everlasting rest.

Shall I not my God be praising

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.7.8.7.7 Appears in 1 hymnal Lyrics: Shall I not my God be praising, And in Him not joyful be? For in all His works amazing, See I not His care for me? Is it not pure love that filleth, And His faithful heart o’erflows, When He ever cares for those, Who do only what He willeth? All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. As its brood the eagle over, Ever more its wings doth spread. So the Highest aye doth cover With His arms of pow’r my head. In the womb e’en of my mother, When to me He being gave, E’en the life that now I have, Was He then my shield and cover. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. Not too great a gift He even Deem’d His only Son to be; Him to death hath freely given, Me from fear of hell to free. Oh! Thou spring of boundless blessing, How could e’er my feeble mind Of Thy depth the bottom find, Though my efforts were unceasing? All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. And the Holy Ghost to guide me, Noble Leader! He hath giv’n, That He through the world may lead me, Onward to the gate of heav’n. That my heart He may be filling With th’ unclouded light of faith, That can break the pow’r of death, And hell’s rage hath pow’r of stilling. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. For my soul’s well-being ever Full provision doth He make, And in ev’ry need deliver, For the body care doth take. When my pow’r, my best endeavour Cometh to extremity, Then my God appears to me, With His might comes to deliver. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. All the things in earth and heaven, E’en where’er I turn my eye, For my benefit are given, That they may my need supply. All that’s living, all that’s growing, On the hills or in the woods, In the vales or ’neath the floods, God is for my good bestowing. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. When I sleep, His eye is waking, When I wake, He strength’neth me, Each new morn fresh courage taking, I new love and goodness see. Had my God existed never, Had His face not guided me, From such ills so frequently, None could have deliver’d ever. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. ’Gainst me many is the weapon, Forg’d by Satan’s enmity, But no real hurt can happen, None hath yet befallen me. God’s own angel whom He sendeth, Wardeth off each deadly blow Aim’d by the untiring foe, Who our ruin thus intendeth. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. As a father ne’er withdraweth From his child his love away, Though he often evil doeth, And from wisdom’s paths doth stray. So God’s heart towards me moveth, All my sins forgiveth He, Not in vengeance smiteth me, As a Father He reproveth. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. Ev’ry blow His hand inflicteth, Though the heart with pain it rend, When my heart aright reflecteth, Is a token that my Friend Thinks on me, and tow’rds me yearneth, Me from this ill world would free, That has so entangled me, By the cross to Him me turneth. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. This I know full well, and never Let it from my mind depart, Christ’s cross hath its limit ever, And at length must cease to smart. When the winter snows are over Lovely summer will appear, Who can hope, from ev’ry fear, And from pain, shall they recover. All things run their course below, God’s love doth for ever flow. In God’s love there is no ending, Ne’er a limit find I there, So my hands to Thee extending, As Thy child, I raise my pray’r. Father! deign Thy grace to give me, That I may with all my might Thee embrace both day and night, All my life may never leave thee, And when life is o’er with me, Love and praise eternally.

Protection of God in Hitherto Dangerous Times of War

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.8.6.8.8 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: How heavy is the burden made Lyrics: How heavy is the burden made That Thou upon our backs hast laid, O God! the Lord of Hosts, O God, whose anger rises high ’Gainst workers of iniquity. The burden is the cruel tide Of war, that earth with blood has dyed, And fill’d with bitter tears. It is a fire that rages high ’Neath suns of almost every sky. The burden’s great and hard to bear, But Thy strong arm and Father’s care Are not to us unknown. Thou punishest, but ’mid the woe Thou love and friendliness dost show. But true to Thee must we abide, For ne’er from us dost Thou quite hide Thy saving health and light. How many hast Thou given o’er, We’ve oft been shielded by Thy pow’r. In many a sad and weary hour, When gath’ring clouds did o’er us low’r Above our anxious heads, Thou still’d’st the storm, whose mighty hand Upholdeth sky and sea and land. How often, Lord, by day and night, Our enemies with craft and might Have threaten’d us, Thy flock! But, faithful Shepherd! Thou wast near, Repell’dst the wolf and still’dst our fear. Our brethren are compell’d to roam, Are driven forth from house and home, While we, Lord, still enjoy Each one his seat beneath the shade By his own vine and fig-tree made. Behold! my heart, on every hand The towns and fields of many a land Are doom’d to ruin sure, The homes of men are overthrown, The houses of our God cast down. But rest and order still remain With us, and we can still maintain The worship of our God. God’s mind from out His holy word ’Mongst us is daily taught and heard. Whoever this doth not perceive, But to the winds such thoughts doth give, Who in such blessèd light No grace, no love, no goodness find, How dark, thrice darken’d is their mind! O gracious God! preserve us free For aye from such stupidity; Lord, give us gratitude, That songs of praise in sweetest tone We may present before Thy throne. To nought we’ve done, or e’er can do, To Thee—to Thee alone is due The praise, O fount of love! We’ve earned destruction from Thy face, Thou deal’st with us in love and grace. Oh! may we meditate Thy grace, Till heart shall burn and tongue shall praise, And give angelic zeal, That every throbbing pulse may be A note of praise, O Lord! to Thee. But let the tide of woe recede, Restore to us our joy, we plead, May peace to us return. How many in this vale of tears Have never witness’d peaceful years! Are we unworthy? then with Thee We plead for helpless infancy, Who wrong have never done. Shall cradled infants feel the stroke, Shall they endure the heavy yoke? Have pity, Lord! oh, tender heart! What heavy sighs, what bitter smart, From our sad hearts are wrung! No stone, our Saviour God art Thou, How canst Thou so afflict us now? How grievous are our wounds and sore, They stink and fester more and more, But Thou canst heal them all. Pour in the oil of grace, that whole Can make the body and the soul. This wilt Thou do, we certainly Believe, although we nowhere see The means in all the world. But Thou in our extremity Dost find Thine opportunity.

Thanksgiving for the Declaration of Peace

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 7.8.7.8.7.6.7.6.7.6.7.6 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: Praise God! for forth hath sounded Lyrics: Praise God! for forth hath sounded The noble word of joy and peace, There’s rest where strife abounded, The sword and spear their murders cease. Up! up! again, and bring ye Now forth the sounding lyre, O Germany! and sing ye In full and noble choir, Your hearts and minds now raise ye And thank the Lord, and say, “Thy grace and goodness praise we For they endure for aye!” ’Twere just if God were driving Us in dire wrath from ’fore His face, For with us still are thriving The thorns of sin that grow apace. In deed and truth we feel it— His rod of chastisement! But say whoe’er can tell it— Who are they who repent? We’re only evil ever, God’s true continually, He helpeth to deliver From war and misery. With grateful hearts o’erflowing We greet thee, noble gift of peace! Where’er thou dwell’st, now knowing How richly thou dost ever bless. God to thy keeping giveth Our good and happiness, Who woundeth thee and grieveth, In his own heart doth press Grief’s arrow, and in madness He quencheth in the land The golden light of gladness With suicidal hand. What could this lesson ever Grave on our hearts so solemnly, As forts laid low for ever, And towns that now in ruins lie: As fair and fertile meadows That wav’d with golden grain, Now wrapt in forest shadows And run to waste again. As graves full of the buried, Who fell in the dread hour Of battle in ranks serried, Whose like we’ll see no more. O man! be now afflicted, And let thy tears in torrents flow, With countenance dejected To ponder to thy closet go; What heretofore hath given Thy God, didst thou deride, Thy Father who’s in Heaven Now turn’d hath to thy side. From fury and from pressing He turneth for thy good, As if by love and blessing Constrain thy heart He would. Awake thee! now awake thee! Thou hard, cold world awaken’d be; Ere doom’s dread hour o’ertake thee, By thee unlook’d for, suddenly. Ye for the Saviour living! Unshaken be your mood, The peace He now is giving Can only bring us good. This lesson He is giving, The end of all is nigh, Thou shalt with Him be living In peace eternally.

O Lord! I sing with mouth and heart

Author: Paul Gerhardt; John Kelly Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 20 hymnals Lyrics: O Lord! I sing with mouth and heart, Joy of my soul! to Thee To earth Thy knowledge I impart, As it is known to me. Thou art the Fount of grace, I know, And Spring aye fall and free, Whence saving health and goodness flow Each day so bounteously. What have we here or what are we, Of good what can earth give, That we do not alone from Thee, Our Father, aye receive? The tent-like firmament who builds, Who spreads th’ expanse of blue, Who sends to fertilize our fields Refreshing rain and dew? Who warmeth us in cold and frost, Who shields us from the wind, Who orders it that wine and must We in their season find? Who is it life and health bestows, Who keeps us with His hand In golden peace, wards off war’s woes, From our dear native land? The work is Thine, my God! my Lord! And Thine must ever be; Before our door Thou keepest guard, In rest we’re kept by Thee. Thou feedest us from year to year, And constant dost abide; When danger fills our hearts with fear, With help art at our side. With patience dost Thou ever chide, Nor long Thine anger keep, But castest all our sins aside Into the ocean deep. Whene’er our burden’d hearts we raise To Thee, Thou’rt soon appeas’d; The help Thou send’st shows forth Thy praise, And our sad hearts are eas’d. Thou mark’st how oft Thy people weep And what their sorrows are, Their tears dost in Thy bottle keep, However small they are. Our deepest needs dost Thou supply, Thou giv’st what lasts for aye, Thou lead’st us to our home on high, When hence we pass away. Awake! my heart, awake and sing, And joyous be thy mood, Thy God who maketh everything Is, and abides thy good— Thy treasure and inheritance! Thy glory and delight! Thy saving health and sure defence! He keeps and guides thee right. Why do thy cares both night and day Grieve thee so bitterly? Upon thy God thy burden lay, Who gave thy life to thee. Hath He not all the weary way From youth till now thee led, Oft chas’d misfortune’s clouds away That gather’d o’er thy head? In all His rule no oversight Can happen, no mistakes; Whate’er He does or leaves is right, A happy issue takes. Let Him work who doth all things well, Nor with Him interfere, And so thou shalt in glory dwell, And peace enjoy while here.