2 This I believe- yea, rather,
In this I make my boast,
That God is my dear Father,

The friend who loves me most;
And that, whate'er betide me,
My Savior is at hand,

Through stormy seas to guide me,
And bring me safe to land.

3 I build on this foundation,—
That Jesus and His blood
Alone are my salvation,
The true eternal good:
Without Him, all that pleases
Is valueless on earth;
The gifts I owe to Jesus

Alone my love are worth.

4 His Holy Spirit dwelleth

Within my willing heart,
Tames it when it rebelleth,

And soothes the keenest smart:
He crowns His work with blessing,
And helpeth me to cry

"My Father!" without ceasing,
To Him who dwells on high.

5 And when my soul is lying

Weak, trembling, and oppressed,
He pleads with groans and sighing
That cannot be expressed;
But God's quick eye discerns them
Although they give no sound,
And into language turns them,

E'en in the heart's deep ground.

6 To mine His Spirit speaketh

Sweet words of soothing power,
How God to him that seeketh
For rest, hath rest in store:
There God Himself prepareth
My heritage and lot,

And though my body weareth,

My heaven shall fail me not.

7 Who clings with resolution
To Him whom Satan hates,
Must look for persecution
Which never here abates;
Reproaches, griefs and losses
Rain fast upon his head,
A thousand plagues and crosses
Become his daily bread..

8 All this I am prepared for,
Yet am I not afraid;

By Thee shall all be cared for,

To whom my vows were paid: Though life and limb it cost me,

And all the earthly store
Which once so much engrossed me,-
I love Thee all the more.

9 Not fire, nor sword, nor thunder,
Shall sever me from Thee;
Though earth be rent asunder
Thou'rt mine eternally:

Not hunger, thirst, nor danger,
Not pain, nor pinching want,
Nor mighty princes' anger,

My fearless soul shall daunt. 10 No angel, and no gladness,

No throne, no pomp, nor show, No love, no hate, no sadness,

No pain, no depth of woe, No scheme of man's contrivance, Though it be great or small, Shall draw me from Thy guidance, Not one of these, nor all!

11 My merry heart is springing, And knows not how to pine; 'Tis full of joy and singing, And radiancy divine;

The sun whose smiles so cheer me

Is Jesus Christ alone:

To have Him always near me

Is heaven itself begun.

P. Gerhardt, 1656

2 Still the weary, sick, and dying

Need a brother's, sister's care, On Thy higher help relying,

May we now their burden share, Bringing all our offerings meet, Suppliant to Thy mercy-seat.

3 May each child of Thine be willing, Willing both in hand and heart, All the law of love fulfilling,

Comfort ever to impart,
Ever bringing offerings meet,
Suppliant at Thy mercy-seat.

4 Then shall sickness, sin, and sadness,
To Thy healing power yield,
Till the sick and sad, in gladness,
Rescued, ransomed, cleansed, and
One in Thee together meet, [healed,
Pardoned at Thy judgment-seat.

G. Thring, 1866