The 112th Psalm of David

Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth,
At His word doth tremble aye!
Bless’d whose heart him freely moveth
God’s commandments to obey.
Who the Highest loves and fears,
Findeth increase with the years
Of all that to him is given
By the bounteous hand of Heaven.

His dear children shall stand ever
Like to roses in their blow;
Flowing with God’s goodness over,
On his generations go.
What the body needs below
God who rules all will bestow,
He will bounteously relieve them,
Plenty in their dwellings give them.

The right deeds of the believer
Nought can shake, they stand secure;
If a storm o’ertakes him ever,
Still doth God, his Light endure,
Comforts, shieldeth with His pow’r,
So that after darkness’ hour,
After night of tears and sorrow,
Joy and sunshine glad the morrow.

God’s compassion, grace, and favour
For the faithful still endure.
Blessèd are the souls who ever
Think upon the needy poor,
Love them, seek to do them good;
For the ever-living God
In His arms of grace will bear them,
And a home above prepare them.

When the black clouds o’er them lighten,
And the pealing thunders shock,
They shall sit, and nought shall frighten,
Like the dove hid in the rock;
They’ll remain eternally,
And their memory shall be
Upon every side extending,
As their branches trees are sending.

When misfortunes overtake them,
Whereby sinners low are laid,
Firm their courage, nought can shake them,
And their hearts are undismay’d;
Undismay’d, from care are free,
Hearts that unreservedly
To the Lord their God are given,
Love Him when forsaken even.

Who delight take in relieving
Sad ones, to the Lord are dear;
What the loving hands are giving,
God will recompense e’en here.
Who much giveth much will gain,
He shall not desire in vain,
What his heart desires and willeth,
God in His good time fulfilleth.

But the foes who triumph’d o’er them,
They shall see depart beneath;
Satan who such malice bore them,
Evermore shall gnash his teeth:
Sorely will it him displease
When their blessedness he sees,
Yet that he can rob them never,
Only waste himself for ever.

Paul Gerhardt’s Spiritual Songs, 1867