Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 10

Let not such a thought e'er pain thee, As that thou art cast away, But within G.o.d's word restrain thee, That far otherwise doth say.

E'en though thou unrighteous art, True and faithful is G.o.d's heart.

Hast thou death deserv'd for ever?

G.o.d's appeas'd, despond thou never!

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 G.o.d's voice dost hear, "Turn to me, do good," ne'er fear, Be of good cheer, He thy yearning Will regard, thy pray'r ne'er spurning.

He is not a bear nor lion Thirsting only for thy blood, Faithful is thy G.o.d in Zion, Gentle ever is His mood.

G.o.d aye as a Father feels, He's afflicted by our ills, Our misfortune sorrow gives Him, And our dying ever grieves Him.

"Truly," saith He, "as I'm living, I the death of none desire, But that men themselves upgiving, May be rescu'd from sin's mire."

When a prodigal returns, G.o.d's heart then with rapture burns, Wills that not the least one even Ever from His flock be driven.

Shepherd was so faithful never, Seeking sheep that go astray; Couldest thou G.o.d'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.

G.o.d the good not only loveth Who in His house ever dwell, But His heart compa.s.sion moveth Tow'rds those whom the prince of h.e.l.l Hath enslav'd, 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.

Deep His love is and enduring, His desire is ever great, He is calling and alluring Us to enter heav'n'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.

G.o.d and all on high who're dwelling, 'Fore whom heav'n must hush its voice, When their Maker's praise forth-telling, O'er our penitence rejoice; But what has been done amiss Cover'd now and buried is, All offence to Him we've given, All, yea all, is now forgiven.

From no lake so much is gus.h.i.+ng, No depth is so deep at all, With such force no stream is rus.h.i.+ng, All compar'd with G.o.d is small; Nought is like His grace so great, That remits our mighty debt, That He ever throweth over All our lives e'en as a cover.

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 sh.o.r.eless sea, If thou with G.o.d's heart compare them, 'Twill a trifle seem to bear them.

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, G.o.d from greater could deliver.

Of such wondrous love and favour Open wide the door to me; Ey'rywhere 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!

FOR THEE, LORD, PANTS MY LONGING HEART.--PSALM XXV.

For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart, My hope and confidence Thou art; My hope can never shaken be, Nor e'er be put to shame by Thee.

Whoe'er he be that scorns Thy name, And turns from Thee, shall come to shame; But he who ever lives to Thee, And loves Thee, shall untroubled be.

Accept my soul, O Lord! by grace, And keep me right in all my ways, And let Thy truth illumine me Along the path that leads to Thee.

Thou art my only light below, No other helper here I know; I wait on Thee both night and day, Why dost Thou, then, O Lord, delay?

Ah, Lord! now turn Thine eyes away From paths where I have gone astray; Of my ill ways what thinkest Thou, That I've pursued from youth till now?

Remember, Thou my Guardian Lord!

Thy loving-kindness and sweet word, Whereby Thou giv'st them comfort sweet Who lay themselves low at Thy feet.

Who prove themselves, and sin confess, The Lord in mercy rich will bless; Who keep His testimonies all, The Lord will hold them when they fall.

The heart that with the Lord is right In grief He'll gladden with His light, When sunk in need, weigh'd down by loss, Shall triumph e'en beneath the cross.

Ah! Lord, full well thou knowest me, My spirit lives and moves in Thee; Thou seest how my bleeding heart Longs for the help Thou canst impart.

The griefs that now my heart oppress, The griefs my heavy sighs express Are great and sore, but Thou art He To whom nought e'er too great can be.

To Thee I therefore raise mine eyes, To Thee mine ardent longings rise-- Ah! let Thine eye now rest on me As Thou wast wont, Lord, graciously.

And when I need supporting grace, Turn not away from me Thy face; May what Thou deignest to impart Of my desires be counterpart.

The world is false, it acts a part, Thou art my Friend, sincere in heart; Man's smile is only on his mouth, Thou lovest us in deed and truth.

Foil Thou the foe, his nets all tear, And baffle every wile and snare; When all with me once more is well, May grat.i.tude my bosom swell.

Still may I in Thy fear abide, And go right on nor turn aside; Give single aim that honours Thee, Smarts rather than a burden be.

Rule, Lord, and bring me unto Thee, And other saints along with me; Remove whate'er of ill dost find, Renew and cleanse each heart and mind.

Wash Thou away each sinful stain, Deliver from all grief and pain, And lead us soon by heav'nly grace To realms of endless joy and peace.

SONG OF REPENTANCE FROM PSALM CXLIII.

Lord, lend a gracious ear To my desire sincere, From heart all free from guile, And glad me with Thy smile, Accept my pet.i.tion.

Not wealth is my request, That on the earth doth rest, That shall at length decay, With earth must pa.s.s away, And can never save us.

The treasure I desire Is Thine own grace, O Sire!

The grace that Thy dear Son, Of saving grace the throne, By His death hath purchas'd.

Thou pure and righteous art, Unholy is my heart, All dead in sin I live, But sin dost Thou forgive, Who art G.o.d most faithful.

And be Thy faithfulness My trust and happiness; Turn from my sin Thy face With overflowing grace My guiltiness cover.

Consider what we be-- A moment, where are we?

As brittle as frail gla.s.s, As fading as the gra.s.s, By a breath we're swept off.

If Thou wilt only view The evil that we do, So great our load of sin, None e'er could stand within Heaven's gate most holy.

How Jesus Christ for me Himself hath giv'n, see!

What I to do have fail'd His power hath avail'd, His doing and dying.

Thou lov'st remorse and smart, Behold, here is a heart That knows and feels its sin, And burns like fire within With grief, pain, and sorrow.

I'm like a thirsty land From which Thy gracious hand Hath long withheld the rain, Until we seek in vain For strength, fruit, or moisture.