4. On Thy pure soul did dread and gloom_Evangelical Lutheran hymn-book

In that drear garden rise?

Are ours the brightness and the bloom

Of Thine own Paradise?

5. For Thee the Father’s hidden face?

For Thee the bitter cry?

For us the Father’s endless grace,

The song of victory?

6. Our load of sin and misery

Didst Thou, the Sinless, bear?

Thy spotless robe of purity

Do we, the sinners, wear?

7. Lord Jesus, is it even so?

Have we been lovèd thus?

What love can we on Thee bestow

Who hast exchanged with us?

8. Thou, who our very place didst take,

Dwell in our very heart.

Thou, who Thy portion ours dost make,

Thyself, Thyself, impart.

T. H. Gill, 1864.

SANCTIFICATION.

OBEDIENCE.

331

5, 5, 8, 8, 5, 5

Jesus, still lead on

Till our rest be won;

And although the way be cheerless,

We will follow calm and fearless.

Guide us by Thy hand

To our fatherland.

2. If the way be drear,

If the Foe be near,

Let no faithless fears o’ertake us;

Let not faith and hope forsake us;

For through many a woe

To our home we go.

3. When we seek relief

From a long-felt grief;

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring;

Show us that bright shore

Where we weep no more.

4. Jesus, still lead on

Till our rest be won.

Heavenly Leader, still direct us,

Still support, control, protect us,

Till we safely stand

In our fatherland.

L. v. Zinzendorf, 1721; Jane Borthwick, tr., 1853.

332

L. M.

God of my life, whose gracious power

Through various deaths my soul hath led;

Or turned aside the fatal hour,

Or lifted up my sinking head:

2. In all my ways Thy hand I own,

Thy ruling providence I see.

O help me still my course to run

And still direct my path to Thee.

3. Whither, O whither should I fly

But to my loving Savior’s breast?

Secure within Thine arms to lie

And safe beneath Thy wings to rest!

4. I have no skill the snare to shun;

But Thou, O Christ, my Wisdom art!

I ever into ruin run;

But Thou art greater than my heart.

5. Foolish and impotent and blind,

Lead me a way I have not known;

Bring me where I my heaven may find,

The heaven of loving Thee alone.

6. Enlarge my heart to make Thee room;

Enter and in me ever stay.

The crooked then shall straight become;

The darkness shall be lost in day.

Charles Wesley, 1740.

333

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 7, 7

Let us ever walk with Jesus,

Follow His example pure,

Flee the world, that would deceive us

And to sin our soul allure.

Ever in His footsteps treading,

Body here, yet soul above,

Full of faith and hope and love,

Let us do the Father’s bidding.

Faithful Lord, abide with me;

Savior, lead, I follow Thee.

2. Let us suffer here with Jesus,

To His image e’er conform;

Heaven’s glory soon will please us,

Sunshine follow on the storm.

Having sown in tears, in gladness

We shall reap. With patient cheer

Let us hope and, void of fear,

Bide the turning of our sadness.

Christ, I suffer here with Thee,

There, oh, share Thy joy with me!

3. Let us also die with Jesus.

His death from the second death,

From our soul’s destruction, frees us,

Quickens us with life’s glad breath.

Let us mortify, while living,

Flesh and blood and die to sin;

And the grave that shuts us in

Shall but prove the gate to heaven.

Jesus, here I die to Thee,

There to live eternally.

4. Let us also live with Jesus;

Since He’s risen from the dead,

Must the conquered grave release us.

Jesus, Thou art now our Head,

We Thy body’s cherished members.

Where Thou livest, live shall we;

Own us evermore to be,

Dearest Friend, Thy loved brethren.

Jesus, here I live to Thee,

Yonder, too, eternally.

S. v. Birken, 1652; J. A. Rimbach, tr., a.

334

8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8

Come, follow Me, the Savior spake,

All in My way abiding;

Deny yourselves, the world forsake,

Obey My call and guiding;

O bear the cross, whate’er betide,

Take My example for your guide.

2. I am the Light, I light the way,

A virtuous life displaying;

Who comes to Me and follows, aye,

I lead from his dark straying.

I am the Way, and well I show

How men should sojourn here below.

3. My heart in lowliness abounds,

My soul with love is glowing,

And from My mouth are words and sounds

Of meekness overflowing.

My heart, My mind, My strength, My all

To God I yield, on Him I call.

4. I teach you to avoid and flee

What harms your soul’s salvation,

Your heart to purify and free

From sin’s abomination.

Your Rock and Fortress e’er am I

And lead you to the life on high.

5. But if too hot you find the fray,

I, at your side, stand ready;

I fight Myself, I lead the way,

At all times firm and steady.

A coward he who will not heed

When the chief Captain takes the lead.

6. Who seeks to find his soul’s welfare

Without Me, he shall lose it;

But who to lose it may appear,

In God shall introduce it.

Who bears no cross nor follows hard,

Deserves not Me nor My reward.

7. Then let us follow our dear Lord,

And bear the cross appointed

And, bravely cleaving to His Word,

In suffering be undaunted.

Who has not stood the battle’s strain

The crown of life shall ne’er obtain.

J. Scheffler, 1668; C. W. Schaeffer, tr., a.

335

8, 7, 8 l

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave and follow Thee;

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou from hence my All shalt be.

Perish every fond ambition,

All I’ve sought or hoped or known;

Yet how rich is my condition!

God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,

They have left my Savior too;

Human hearts and looks deceive me,

Thou art not, like them, untrue.

And while Thou shalt smile upon me,

God of wisdom, love, and might,

Foes may hate and friends may shun me;

Show Thy face, and all is bright.

3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!

Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!

In Thy service, pain is pleasure;

With Thy favor, loss is gain.

I have called Thee Abba, Father!

I have stayed my heart on Thee;

Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,

All must work for good to me.

4. Man may trouble and distress me,

’Twill but drive me to Thy breast;

Life with trials hard may press me,

Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.

Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me

While Thy love is left to me!

Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me

Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

5. Take, my soul, thy full salvation;

Rise o’er sin and fear and care,

Joy to find in every station,

Something still to do or bear.

Think what Spirit dwells within thee,

What a Father’s smile is thine,

What a Savior died to win thee,—

Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

6. Haste, then, on from grace to glory,

Armed by faith and winged by prayer;

Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee,

God’s own hand shall guide thee there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission,

Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,

Hope soon change to glad fruition,

Faith to sight and prayer to praise.

H. F. Lyte, 1824.

336

8, 7, 8 l

Holy Father! Thou hast taught me

I should live to Thee alone;

Year by year Thy hand hath brought me

On through dangers oft unknown.

When I wandered, Thou hast found me;

When I doubted, sent me light;

Still Thine arm has been around me,

All my paths were in Thy sight.

2. In the world will foes assail me,

Crafty, stronger far than I;

And the strife will never fail me,

Well I know, before I die.

Therefore, Lord, I come, believing

Thou canst give the power I need,

Through the prayer of faith receiving

Strength, the Spirit’s strength, indeed.

3. I would trust in Thy protecting,

Wholly rest upon Thine arm,

Follow wholly Thy directing,

Thou mine only Guard from harm!

Keep me from mine own undoing,

Help me turn to Thee when tried;

Still my footsteps, Father, viewing,

Keep me ever at Thy side.

J. M. Neale, 1842, a.

337

6, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 4

Savior, I follow on,

Guided by Thee,

Seeing not yet the hand

That leadeth me.

Hushed be my heart and still,

Fear I no further ill,

Only to meet Thy will

My will shall be.

2. Riven the rock for me

Thirst to relieve,

Manna from heaven falls

Fresh every eve;

Never a want severe

Causeth my eye a tear

But Thou dost whisper near,

“Only believe!”

3. Often to Marah’s brink

Have I been brought;

Shrinking the cup to drink,

Help I have sought;

And with the prayer’s ascent

Jesus the branch hath rent,

Quickly relief hath sent,

Sweetening the draught.

4. Savior, I long to walk

Closer with Thee;

Led by Thy guiding hand,

Ever to be

Constantly near Thy side,

Quickened and purified,

Living for Him who died

Freely for me.

C. S. Robinson, 1862.

338

S. M. 8 l

O Thou who wouldst not have

One wretched sinner die,

Who diedst Thyself my soul to save

From endless misery,

Teach me my course to run,

While yet I sojourn here,

That when Thou comest on Thy throne

I may with joy appear.

2. Thou art Thyself the Way,

Thyself in me reveal;

So shall I pass my life’s short day

Obedient to Thy will;

So shall I love my God

Because He first loved me,

And praise Thee in Thy bright abode

Through all eternity.

Charles Wesley, 1749, a.

339

8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6 (C. P. M.)

May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfil

And do on earth our Father’s will

As angels do above;

Still walk in Christ, the living Way,

With all Thy children and obey

The law of Christian love.

2. So may we join Thy name to bless,

Thy grace adore, Thy power confess,

From sin and strife to flee.

One is our calling, one our name,

The end of all our hopes the same,

A crown of life with Thee.

3. Spirit of Life, of Love and Peace,

Unite our hearts, our joy increase,

Thy gracious help supply.

To each of us the blessing give

In Christian fellowship to live,

In joyful hope to die.

Edward Osler, 1836, a.

340

8, 7, 8, 7, 4, 7

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou art mighty,

Hold me with Thy powerful hand:

Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more!

2. Open now the crystal fountain

Whence the healing streams do flow,

Let the fiery, cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through:

Strong Deliverer,

Be Thou still my Strength and Shield!

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death and hell’s Destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side:

Songs of praises

I will ever give to Thee.

Wm. Williams, 1745; P. Williams, tr., 1771.

341

S. M.

The man is ever blest

Who shuns the sinners’ ways,

Among their counsels never stands,

Nor takes the scorners’ place;

2. But makes the Law of God

His study and delight

Amid the labors of the day

And watches of the night.

3. He like a tree shall thrive,

With waters near the root;

Fresh as the leaf his name shall live,

His works are heavenly fruit.

4. Not so th’ ungodly race,

They no such blessings find;

Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff

Before the driving wind.

5. How will they bear to stand

Before that judgment-seat

Where all the saints at Christ’s right hand

In full assembly meet?

6. He knows and He approves

The way the righteous go;

But sinners and their works shall meet

A dreadful overthrow.

Isaac Watts, 1719.

342

C. M.

O that the Lord would guide my ways

To keep His statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace

To know and do His will!

2. Order my footsteps by Thy Word

And make my heart sincere;

Let sin have no dominion, Lord,

But keep my conscience clear.

3. Assist my soul, too apt to stray,

A stricter watch to keep;

And should I e’er forget Thy way,

Restore Thy wandering sheep.

4. Make me to walk in Thy commands,—

’Tis a delightful road,—

Nor let my head or heart or hands

Offend against my God.

Isaac Watts, 1719, a.

343

7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 8

God, from all eternity

In Thy Son Thou didst elect me;

Therefore, Father, graciously

In my course to heaven direct me;

Send to me Thy Holy Spirit

That His gifts I may inherit.

2. Though alive, I’m dead in sin,

To all good things lost by nature;

Holy Ghost, change me within,

Make of me a new-born creature;

For the flesh deserves damnation

And can never gain salvation.

3. Drive away the gloomy night

Of my sinful meditation;

Quench all thoughts that are not right,

Reason hold in limitation;

Grant that I from Thee with yearning

Wisdom always may be learning.

4. All desires and thoughts of mine,

From my youth, are only evil;

Save me by Thy power divine

From myself and from the devil;

Give me strength in ample measure,

Both to will and do Thy pleasure.

5. Such a heart create in me,

That in Thee, O God, believing,

At the base iniquity

Of my sins I may be grieving;

And when hours of woe betide me,

In the wounds of Jesus hide me.

6. As a branchlet in the Vine,

In my blessed Lord, implant me;

Ever of my Head divine

To remain a member grant me;

Oh, let Him, my Lord and Savior,

Be my Life and Love forever!

7. Faith and hope and charity

Graciously, O Father, give me;

Be my Guardian constantly

That no devil e’er may grieve me;

Grant me humbleness and gladness,

Peace and patience in my sadness.

8. Help me speak what’s right and just,

And keep silence on occasion;

Help me pray, Lord, as I must;

Help me bear my tribulation;

Help me die and let my spirit

Everlasting life inherit.

C. Neumann, 1680; A. Crull, tr.

344

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

How can I thank Thee, Lord,

For all Thy loving-kindness?

Thou hast so long a time

Had patience with my blindness

When dead in many sins

And trespasses I lay,

And kindled, holy God,

Thine anger every day.

2. Lord, Thou hast shown to me

Divine commiseration:

I persevered in sin,

But Thou in great compassion;

I did resist Thee, Lord,

Deferring to repent;

Thou didst defer Thy wrath

And instant punishment.

3. It is Thy work alone

That now I am converted,

Thy power o’er Satan’s work

In me Thou hast asserted;

Thy mercy, that doth reach

Unto the clouds, O Lord,

Did break my stony heart

By Thine almighty Word.

4. Though able to offend

Thee, Lord, by sin and failing,

Still to regain Thy grace

My strength was unavailing.

Though I could fall from grace

And choose the way of sin,

I had no strength to rise,

A new life to begin.

5. But Thou hast raised me up

And with divine compassion

Hast shown me, Lord, the way

That leadeth to salvation.

I thank Thee, Lord, that now

My former sins I hate

And freely—not from fear—

Dead works abominate.

6. That I may not backslide,

But life in heaven inherit,

Grant me, while here I live,

O Lord, Thy Holy Spirit

That He may give me strength

In mine infirmity

And e’er renew my heart

To serve Thee willingly.

7. O guide and lead me, Lord,

While here below I wander;

Grant that I follow Thee,

My Guide and my Commander.

For if I lead myself,

I soon am led astray;

But if Thou leadest me,

I do my duty aye.

8. O Father, God of Love,

Hear now my supplication!

Lord Jesus, Son of God,

O grant me Thy salvation!

And Thou, O Holy Ghost,

Always abide with me

That I may serve Thee here

And there eternally!

G. Gesenius, c. 1647; A. Crull, tr.

CONSECRATION.

345

9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8

Soul, what return has God, thy Savior,

For all He gives thee day by day?

O hast thou in thy gift a favor

That can delight and please Him?—say!

The best of offerings He requires;

Give Him thy heart with its desires.

2. Give God His own if aught thou’rt giving;

Say, soul, to whom belongs thy heart?

Can Satan, he who hates the living,

Or any creature claim a part?—

To Thee alone I will assign,

O Lord, my heart and all that’s mine.

3. Accept the gift which Thou requirest,

The first-fruits of my heart, O God!

The offerings Thou so much desirest,

For which Thy Son paid with His blood.

To Thee alone I now resign

My heart, to be forever Thine.

4. Whom should I give my heart’s affection

But Thee, who givest Thine to faith?

Thy fervent love is my protection;

Lord, Thou hast loved me unto death.

My heart with Thine shall ever be

One heart throughout eternity.

C. F. Lochner, c. 1673.

346

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

O God, Thou faithful God,

Thou Fount that ever flowest,

Without whom nothing is,

Who all good gifts bestowest,

A pure and healthy frame

O give me and within

A conscience free from blame,

A soul unhurt by sin.

2. And grant me, Lord, to do,

With ready heart and willing,

Whate’er Thou shalt command,

My calling here fulfilling;

To do it when I ought,

With all my strength; and bless

The work I thus have wrought,

For Thou must give success.

3. O let me never speak

What bounds of truth exceedeth;

Grant that no idle word

From out my mouth proceedeth;

And grant, when in my place

I must and ought to speak,

My words due power and grace,

Nor let me wound the weak.

4. If dangers gather round,

Still keep me calm and fearless;

Help me to bear the cross

When life is dark and cheerless;

Let me subdue my foe

By words and actions kind;

When counsel I would know,

Good counsel let me find.

5. And let me with all men,

As far as in me lieth,

In peace and friendship live;

And if Thy gift supplieth

Me wealth and honor fair,

Then this refuse me not,

That naught be mingled there

Of goods unjustly got.

6. And if a longer life

Be here on earth decreed me,

And Thou through many a strife

To age at last wilt lead me,

Thy patience in me shed,

Avert all sin and shame,

And crown my hoary head

With pure, untarnished fame.

7. Let me depart this life

Confiding in my Savior;

Do Thou my soul receive,

That it may live forever;

And let my body have

A quiet resting-place

Beside a Christian’s grave;

And let it sleep in peace.

8. And on that solemn day

When all the dead are waking,

Stretch o’er my grave Thy hand,

Thyself my slumbers breaking;

Then let me hear Thy voice,

Change Thou this earthly frame,

And bid me aye rejoice

With those who love Thy name.

J. Heermann, 1630.

347

6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 6, 6, 6

O God, forsake me not!

Thy gracious presence lend me;

Lead Thou Thy helpless child,

Thy Holy Spirit send me

That I my course may run.

Be Thou my Light, my Lot,

My Staff, my Rock, my Shield,—

O God, forsake me not!

2. O God, forsake me not!

Take not Thy Spirit from me

And suffer not the might

Of sin to overcome me;

Increase my feeble faith,

Which Thou Thyself hast wrought;

Be Thou my Strength and Power,—

O God, forsake me not!

3. O God, forsake me not!

Lord, hear my supplication!

In every evil hour

Help me o’ercome temptation;

And when the Prince of hell

My conscience seeks to blot,

Be Thou not far from me,—

O God, forsake me not!

4. O God, forsake me not!

Thy mercy I’m addressing;

O Father, God of Love,

Grant me Thy heavenly blessing

To do the duty which

To me Thou didst allot,

To do what pleaseth Thee,—

O God, forsake me not!

5. O God, forsake me not!

Lord, I am Thine forever.

Grant me true faith in Thee;

Grant that I leave Thee never;

Grant me a blessed end

When my good fight is fought,

Help me in life and death,—

O God, forsake me not!

S. Franck, † 1725; A. Crull, tr.

348

L. M. 6 l

O Love, who formedst me to wear

The image of Thy Godhead here;

Who soughtest me with tender care

Through all my wand’rings wild and drear,—

O Love, I give myself to Thee,