Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 2

[1]Wetzlar's "a.n.a.lecta Hymnica."

[2]One qualified and authorized to preach, but not ordained, ordination taking place only when the candidate is placed over a congregation as a pastor.

[3]The Elector Sigismund had gone over to the Reformed Confession in 1613, and the position of the Lutherans and Reformed in the Mark in relation to the court had since been reversed.

[4]Wackernagel says, that it was his official duty to sketch the writings in attack and defence, that they display great tact and acuteness, and furnish a new proof that critical ac.u.men may be combined with a poetical temperament.

[5]Since writing this sketch, the writer observes that currency has been given to this apocryphal story in a recent work, "Our Hymns: their Authors and their Origin. By the Rev. Josiah Miller."

[6]In the reference to the Syncretists.

[7]A Theologian experienced in the sieve of Satan.

[8]

A graven, indeed, yet living image of Paul Gerhardt, In whose mouth, faith, hope, love have ever been.

Here Asaph returned to life, taught in our coasts, and sang thy praises, O Gracious Saviour!

The Spirit will come to thee as a guest, from the heavenly seats wherever thou shalt sing these Sacred Songs to G.o.d.

INDEX OF FIRST LINES.

PAGE A Lamb bears all its guilt away 49 A rest here have I never 316 After clouds we see the sun 261 Ah! faithful G.o.d, compa.s.s'nate heart 169 Ah! lovely innocence, how evil art thou deem'd 160 Awake, my heart! be singing 276 Be glad, my heart! now fear no more 329 Be joyful all, both far and near 75 Be thou contented! aye relying 202 Behold! behold! what wonder's here! 14 Bless'd is he the Lord who loveth 132 Bless'd is he who never taketh 130 By John was seen a wondrous sight 347 Come, and Christ the Lord be praising 24 Commit whatever grieves thee 225 Creator, Father, Prince of might! 109 Father of mercies! G.o.d most high 175 For Thee, Lord, pants my longing heart 88 Full of wonder, full of art 302 Full often as I meditate 143 Go forth, my heart, and seek delight 289 How can it be, my highest Light! 259 How heavy is the burden made 246 How long, Lord, in forgetfulness 235 I have deserv'd it, cease to oppose 165 I into G.o.d's own heart and mind 219 Immanuel! to Thee we sing 37 In grateful songs your voices raise 238 In prayer your voices raise ye 45 Is G.o.d for me? t'oppose me 208 Jesus! Thou, my dearest Brother 112 Let not such a thought e'er pain thee 83 Look up to thy G.o.d again 195 Lord G.o.d! Thou art for evermore 312 Lord, lend a gracious ear 92 Lord, Thou my heart dost search and try 138 Lord! to Thee alone I raise 135 Mine art Thou still, and mine shalt be 333 My face, why shouldst thou troubled be 322 My G.o.d! my works and all I do 102 My heart! the seven words hear now 63 Now at the manger here I stand 32 Now gone is all the rain 298 Now spread are evening's shadows 285 Now with joy my heart is bounding 18 O Father! send Thy Spirit down 78 O G.o.d! from Thee doth wisdom flow 97 O G.o.d, my Father! thanks to Thee 117 O G.o.d! who dost Heaven's sceptre wield 294 O Jesus Christ! my fairest Light 122 O Lord! I sing with mouth and heart 255 O my soul, why dost thou grieve 155 Oh! bleeding head, and wounded 59 Oh, Jesus Christ! how bright and fair 307 On thy bier how calm thou'rt sleeping 338 Praise G.o.d! for forth hath sounded 251 Praise ye Jehovah 279 Say with what salutations 10 Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken 1 See, world! thy Life a.s.sailed 54 Shall I not my G.o.d be praising 240 The daylight disappeareth 282 The golden morning, joy her adorning 270 The Lord, the earth who ruleth 266 The time is very near 341 Thou art but man, to thee 'tis known 148 Thou must not altogether be 230 Thy manger is my paradise 26 'Tis patience must support you 184 Twofold, Father! is my pray'r 107 Up! up! my heart with gladness 71 What pleaseth G.o.d, my faithful child 189 Why should sorrow ever grieve me 214 Why should they such pain e'er give Thee 43 Why without, then, art Thou staying 5

SPIRITUAL SONGS

Of the Holy Trinity.

Scarce tongue can speak, ne'er human ken The myst'ry could discover, That G.o.d, from His high throne to men Makes known the world all over: That He alone is King above All other G.o.ds whatever, Great, mighty, faithful, full of love, His saints doth aye deliver, One substance but three persons!

G.o.d, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

The name thrice holy given, On earth by all the ransom'd host, And by the hosts of heaven.

He's Abraham's and Isaac's G.o.d, And Jacob's whom He knoweth, The Lord of Hosts, who every good Both night and day bestoweth, Who only doeth wonders!

His Son, from all eternity Begotten hath the Father, Who came as man, when G.o.d's decree Had fix'd, His sheep to gather.

The Holy Ghost eternally, While all Their glory sharing, Their honour, pow'r, and majesty, A crown all equal wearing, Proceeds from Son and Father!

Be glad, my heart! thy portion see, Thy rich unequall'd treasure, He is thy Friend, supply will He Thy needs with bounteous measure.

Who made thee in His image fair Thy load of guilt removeth, Gives thee His chosen's faith to share, Thy Joy in sorrow proveth, Through His own word most holy.

Bestir thyself, with all thy heart Thy G.o.d to know endeavour: Sweet rest such knowledge will impart, Thy soul with pure love ever Will cause to glow, and nourish thee For life and joy in heaven; Things heard of only here, shall be To open sight there given, By G.o.d to His dear children.

Woe! woe! to the besotted crew In wilful blindness living, Rejecting G.o.d, the honour due To Him, to creatures giving.

The time will come when close shall He 'Gainst them the door of heaven; Who G.o.d drive from them here, shall be By Him hereafter driven, From His high throne most holy!

O Prince of might! Thy mercy show, Thou G.o.d of earth and heaven, To every sinner here below May saving grace be given!

Bring back Thy sheep who go astray, And blinded eyes enlighten, And turn Thou every thing away That wickedly might frighten Thine own, whose faith is feeble.

Grant this, that we Thy people may All reach the heav'nly portals, And in Thy kingdom sing for aye, 'Mid all the bless'd immortals: That Thou above art King alone All other G.o.ds high over, The Father, Son, and Spirit, One, Thy people's s.h.i.+eld and Cover, One substance but three persons!

Advent.

WHY WITHOUT, THEN, ART THOU STAYING?

Why without, then, art Thou staying, Blessed of the Lord from far?

Enter now, no more delaying, Let it please Thee--Thou, my Star!

Thou, my Jesus, Friend indeed, Helper in the hour of need!

Saviour! ease the wounds that pain me, Let Thy comforts rich sustain me.

Lord, my wounds are pain and sorrow, That the hammer of the law With its terrors, night and morrow, Causeth, filling me with awe.

Oh! the dreadful thunder peals When His anger G.o.d reveals, All my blood to tingle making, And my heart's foundation shaking!

Then with wiles the great deceiver Would to me all grace deny, Saying, in the h.e.l.l for ever That torments him, I must be.

But I suffer sorer pangs, For with poison'd serpent fangs Doth my conscience gnawing, tearing, Stir remorse beyond all bearing.

Do I seek my woe to soften, And to lessen pain desire, With the world commingling often, Sink I quite into the mire.

There is comfort that deceives, Joy that by my mischance lives, Helpers there who only grieve me, Friends who only mock and leave me.

Nothing in the world endureth, Or the soul's thirst can allay; Fleeting is the rank that lureth.

Have I riches? What are they Better than small dust of earth?

Have I pleasure? What's it worth?

What to-day my heart doth gladden, That to-morrow doth not sadden?

Comfort, joy, in boundless measure, Stor'd, Lord Jesus, are in Thee, Pastures of unfading pleasure, Where we roam and feast so free.

Light of joy! illumine me Ere my heart quite broken be!