Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 11

Like hart upon the heath, That cries with gasping breath For water fresh and clear, I call into Thine ear, Fount of living water!

My spirit, Lord, revive, Rich consolation give; Speak, that my soul may rest Upon the friendly breast Of Thy love eternal.

Give me a trustful mood, That when the mighty flood Of sin o'erwhelmeth me, My grief absorb'd may be In Thy mercy's ocean.

Drive off the wicked foe That seeks my overthrow; Thou art my Shepherd, I Will be eternally A sheep of Thy pasture.

As long as I shall dwell On earth, to do Thy will I give myself to Thee, And evermore shall be Thine own faithful servant.

Though feeble, I shall be Still grateful unto Thee, For in Thy might alone, That worketh in Thine own, All my power standeth.

Then send Thy Spirit down, Who points out to Thine own The way that pleaseth Thee; They never mov'd shall be, Who keep Him indwelling.

Thou shalt go on before, Shalt open me the door That leads to wisdom's way, I'll follow every day, Copying Thee ever.

And when at length 'tis giv'n To tread the courts of heav'n, With angel hosts to Thee I'll sing eternally To Thy praise and glory.

Prayer and the Christian Life.

FOR WISDOM.

O G.o.d! from Thee doth wisdom flow, All I can do Thou well dost know; If Thine own grace doth not sustain, Then all my labour is in vain.

As shapen in iniquity, No good by nature can I see; My heart can never serve Thee right, In folly it is sunken quite.

Yea, Saviour! I'm too mean and small To treat Thy law and claims at all; What for my neighbour's good may be, Is hid from and unknown to me,

My life is very short and weak, A thread, a pa.s.sing wind may break; The splendour that the world doth prize Is vain and worthless in mine eyes.

If earth with all its gifts would dow'r, And give me honour, fame, and pow'r, And did I not enjoy Thy light, Then were I nought, 'twere deepest night.

What use, though much we've learned here, If first we do not learn Thy fear, And ne'er to serve Thee right attain?

It is more loss to us than gain.

The knowledge men themselves attain May easily mislead again; And when our art hath done its best, On all sides obstacles arrest.

How many ruin now the soul Through craft, as did Ahithophel, And come, through ignorance of Thee, And through their wit, to misery.

O G.o.d, my Father! lend an ear, My supplication deign to hear; Far from me may such folly be; A better mind, Lord! give to me.

Give me the Wisdom from above Thou giv'st to all who truly love, The wisdom that before Thy throne For ever s.h.i.+neth in their crown.

I love her lovely face so bright, She is my joy and heart's delight, The fairest is that holdeth me, Mine eyes she pleaseth wondrously.

She's n.o.ble, and of rarest worth, From Thee, Most High! derives her birth; She's like the Monarch of the day, Rich gifts and virtues her array.

Her words are sweet and comfort well, When grief our eyes with tears doth fill; When 'neath affliction's rod we smart, 'Tis she revives the drooping heart.

She's full of grace and majesty, Preserves us from mortality; Who earnestly to get her strives, E'en when he's dying, still he lives.

She's the Creator's counsellor, In deeds and words excels in pow'r; Through her the blind world knows and sees What G.o.d in heav'n above decrees.

What mortal knows His Maker's mind?

Who is he that could ever find The counsel out G.o.d hath decreed, The way wherein He'd have us tread?

The soul upon the earth doth live, Its heavy burdens sorely grieve, The faculties distracted be, From error here are not set free.

What G.o.d doth who can e'er explore, And say what He rejoiceth o'er?

Unless Thou who dost ever live Dost Thine own wisdom to us give.

Then send her from Thy heav'nly throne, And give her to Thine handmaid's son; Her bountifully, Lord! impart To the poor dwelling of my heart.

Command her to abide with me, And my companion aye to be; Whene'er I labour, may she e'er Me help my heavy load to bear.

May I be taught by her wise hand To know and rightly understand That I to Thee alone may cleave, According to Thy will may live.

And give to me ability, To truth may I still open be, That sour of sweet I never make, Nor darkness for the light may take.

To Thy word give desire and love, And true to duty may I prove; To pious souls join'd may I be, Take counsel with them constantly.

And may I gladly every man, By deed and counsel when I can, To guide and succour ready be, In truth and in sincerity.

So that in ev'rything I do, In Thy love I may ever grow; For who to wisdom doth not give Himself, unlov'd by Thee must live.

FOR SUCCESS AND BLESSING IN ALL CHRISTIAN WORKS AND PURPOSES.

My G.o.d! my works and all I do, Rest only on Thy will, I know, Thy blessing prospers ever, When Thou dost guide, we persevere In right ways, erring never.

It standeth not in human might That man's devices issue right, His way with gladness endeth: G.o.d's counsel only prospers sure, 'Tis He success who sendeth.

Man often thinks in haughty mood That this or that is for his good, Yet widely he mistaketh; He often thinketh that is ill Whereof the Lord choice maketh.

But wise men e'en who joyfully Begin a good work, frequently Reach no good termination; They build a castle firm and strong, But sand is the foundation.

How many in their fancy stray High over mountain peaks away, Ere they bethink them ever; Down to the ground they fall, and vain Has been their strong endeavour.

Dear Father! therefore, who the crown And sceptre bear'st on Heav'n's throne, Who from the clouds dost lighten, Regard my words, and hear my cry, From Thy seat my soul brighten!

Vouchsafe to me the n.o.ble light That from Thy countenance so bright On pious souls aye breaketh, And where the pow'r of wisdom true Through Thine own pow'r awaketh.

Give understanding from on high, That I henceforward may rely Upon mine own will never.