O foolish heart, be still!
And vex thyself no more!
Wait thou for God, until
He open pleasure's door.
Thou knowest not what is good for thee,
But God doth know--
Let him thy strong reliance be,
And rest thee so.
He counted all my days,
And every joy and tear,
Ere I knew how to praise,
Or even had learned to fear.
Before I him my Father knew
He called me child;
His help has guarded me all through
This weary wild.
The least of all my cares
Is not to him unknown--
He sees and he prepares
The pathway for his own;
And what his hand assigns to me,
That serves my peace;
The greatest burden it might be,
Yet joys increase.
I live no more for earth;
Nor seek my full joy here;
The world seems little worth
When heaven is shining clear.
Yet joyfully I go my way
So free, so blest!
Sweetening my toil from day to day
With thoughts of rest.
Give me, my Lord, whate'er
Will bind my heart to thee;
For that I make my prayer,
And know thou hearest me!
But all that might keep back my soul--
Make thee forgot--
Though of earth-good it were the whole,
O give it not!
When sickness, pains, distress,
And want doth follow fear,
And men their hate express,
My sky shall still be clear.
Then wait I, Lord, and wait for thee;
And I am still,
Though mine should unaccomplished be,
Do thou thy will!
Thou art the strength and stay
Of every weary soul;
Thy wisdom rules the way
Thy pity does control.
What ill can happen unto me
When thou art near?
Thou wilt, O God, my keeper be;
I will not fear.
--Christian F. Gellert (1715-1769).