Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Part 26

Though often left to ponder, While in dark vales I wander, No evil fear I ever, Distress o'ertakes me never.

Thou standest still beside me, From wicked men dost hide me, Thy rod and staff protect me, And no fear can deject me.

My table Thou preparest, For my refreshment carest, When foes are plotting round me, And seek to pain and wound me.

My head with oil anointest, My empty soul appointest Of every good and pleasure A full o'erflowing measure.

The goodness Thou bestowest, The mercy that Thou showest, Till life itself forsake me, Shall glad and joyful make me.

Thy service will I never Forsake, but praise Thee ever, In Thy house where Thou livest, Reward to goodness givest.

As long as life is given On earth here, and in heaven Where I shall stand before Thee, I'll evermore adore Thee!

Morning and Evening Songs.

MORNING BLESSING.

The golden morning, Joy her adorning, With splendour near us Draweth, to cheer us With her heart-refres.h.i.+ng and lovely light.

My head and members Lay wrapt all in slumbers, But now awaking, And sleep from me shaking, Heaven's bless'd suns.h.i.+ne doth gladden my sight.

Mine eye beholdeth What G.o.d upholdeth, Made for His glory, To tell the story To us of His power and might so great, And where the Father The faithful shall gather In peace, whenever Earth's lies they shall sever And leave this mortal and peris.h.i.+ng state.

Come ye with singing, To G.o.d be bringing Goods and each blessing-- All we're possessing-- All be to G.o.d as an offering brought.

Hearts with love glowing, With praises o'erflowing, Thanksgiving voices, In these G.o.d rejoices, All other off'rings without them are nought.

To morn and even His thoughts are given, Increase He giveth, Sorrow relieveth, These are the works that He doeth alone.

When we are sleeping Watch is He aye keeping, When we're awaking Care still of us taking, He makes the light of His grace to s.h.i.+ne down.

My thoughts I've raised To Thee who'rt praised For aye in Heaven!

Success be given, May all my endeavours unhinder'd be!

From ev'ry evil And work of the devil, All malice ever, Oh do Thou deliver!

In all Thy precepts establish Thou me!

May't pleasure give me, May no pain grieve me To see flow over The cup my brother Or neighbour hath, with Thy blessings so free.

Covetous burning And unchristian yearning For ill possessions, Blot out such transgressions, Cast them, O Father! all into the sea!

The life we're living What is it giving?

Ere any thinketh To ground it sinketh, Soon as the breath of the grave on it blow.

All things together Dread ruin must s.h.i.+ver, The earth and heaven They must perish even, Wrapt in the flames that shall ardently glow!

All--all decayeth, But G.o.d still stayeth, His thoughts they waver A moment never, His word and will both eternally 'dure.

His grace and favour Uninjur'd are ever, Deadly wounds healing, The heart with peace filling, Health here and yonder to us they ensure.

My G.o.d for ever Do Thou deliver!

s.h.i.+eld me, and cover My debts all over, In grace, Thine eyes from my sins turn away.

Govern and guide me, Be ever beside me, As it is pleasing To Thee! am I placing All in Thy hand and disposal for aye.

Wilt Thou give ever To me whatever My life is needing?

May I be heeding Ever the faithful word spoken by Thee.

G.o.d is the highest, The greatest, the nighest, Gracious is ever, Is changeable never, Of all our treasures the n.o.blest is He.

Wilt Thou then grieve me, Gall to drink give me?

Must I be pa.s.sing Through cares hara.s.sing?

Do then as seemeth it good unto Thee.

Whate'er supporteth, Is useful or hurteth, Thou knowest ever, And chastenest never Too much, in case we o'erburden'd should be.

Trial G.o.d sendeth, Speedily endeth The storms of ocean, The wind's commotion Lightens the suns.h.i.+ne so gladsome and bright.

Fulness of pleasure, And glorious leisure, Will then be given To me in yon Heaven Whither my thoughts aye to turn take delight.

AWAKE, MY HEART!

Awake, my heart! be singing, Praise to thy Maker bringing, Of every good the Giver, Who men protecteth ever.

As shades of night spread over Earth as a pall did cover, Then Satan sought to have me, But G.o.d was near to save me.

When Satan would devour me, Thou, Father! spreadest o'er me Thy wing, Thou me embraced'st, All fear away Thou chased'st.

Thou said'st "Lie still, I'm near thee; In spite of him who'd tear thee, Sleep, child! let nought affright thee, The sunlight shall delight thee."

Thou truly, Lord! hast told it, The light--mine eyes behold it, From dangers hast releas'd me, Thou hast renew'd and bless'd me.

Thou sacrifice would'st ever, My gifts I bring Thee hither, The offerings I'm bringing My pray'rs are and my singing.

Such Thou disdainest never, The heart Thou can'st search ever, Thou know'st none can deceive Thee No better can I give Thee.

Thou wilt, O Lord! be ending Thy work in me, and sending Who in his hands will take me, To-day his care will make me.

May I in all I'm doing Wise courses be pursuing, Beginning, middle, ending, May all to bliss be tending.

Thy blessings richly give me, My heart would now receive Thee, Thy word as food be given To me till I reach Heaven.

PRAISE YE JEHOVAH!

Praise ye Jehovah, All ye men who fear Him!

Let us with gladness to His name be singing, Be thanks and praises to His altar bringing.

Praise ye Jehovah!

The life we're living Who is ever giving; Care all the night who like a father taketh, And who with gladness us from sleep awaketh.

Praise ye Jehovah!