"Commit Whatever Grieves Thee"

                    by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

                                   Text From:

                       THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1. Commit whatever grieves thee

        Into the gracious hands

        Of Him who never leaves thee,

        Who heaven and earth commands.

        Who points the clouds their courses,

        Whom winds and waves obey,

        He will direct thy footsteps

        And find for thee a way.



        2. On Him place thy reliance

        If thou wouldst be secure;

        His work thou must consider

        If thine is to endure.

        By anxious sighs and grieving

        And self-tormenting care

        God is not moved to giving;

        All must be gained by prayer.



        3. Thy truth and grace, O Father,

        Most surely see and know

        Both what is good and evil

        For mortal man below.

        According to Thy counsel

        Thou wilt Thy work pursue;

        And what Thy wisdom chooseth

        Thy might will always do.



        4. Thy hand is never shortened,

        All things must serve Thy might;

        Thine every act is blessing,

        Thy path is purest light.

        Thy work no man can hinder,

        Thy purpose none can stay,

        Since Thou to bless Thy children

        Wilt always find a way.



        5. Though all the powers of evil

        The will of God oppose,

        His purpose will not falter,

        His pleasure onward goes.

        Whate'er God's will resolveth,

        Whatever He intends.

        Will always be accomplished

        True to His aims and ends.



        6. Then hope, my feeble spirit,

        And be thou undismayed;

        God helps in every trial

        And makes thee unafraid.

        Await His time with patience,

        Then shall thine eyes behold

        The sun of joy and gladness

        His brightest beams unfold.



        7. Arise, my soul, and banish

        Thy anguish and thy care.

        Away with thoughts that sadden

        And heart and mind ensnare!

        Thou art not lord and master

        Of thine own destiny;

        Enthroned in highest heaven,

        God rules in equity.



        8. Leave all to His direction;

        In wisdom He doth reign,

        And in a way most wondrous

        His course He will maintain.

        Soon He, His promise keeping,

        With wonder-working skill,

        Shall put away the sorrows

        That now thy spirit fill.



        9. A while His consolation

        He may to thee deny,

        And seem as though in trial

        He far from thee would fly;

        A while distress and anguish

        May compass thee around,

        Nor to thy supplication

        An answering voice be found.



        10. But if thou perseverest,

        Thou shalt deliverance find.

        Behold, all unexpected

        He will thy soul unbind

        And from the heavy burden

        Thy heart will soon set free;

        And thou wilt see the blessing

        He had in mind for thee.



        11. O faithful child of heaven,

        How blessed shalt thou be!

        With songs of glad thanksgiving

        A crown awaiteth thee.

        Into thy hand thy Maker

        Will give the victor's palm.

        And thou to thy Deliverer

        Shalt sing a joyous psalm.



        12. Give, Lord, this consummation

        To all our heart's distress;

        Our hands, our feet, e'er strengthen,

        In death our spirits bless.

        Thy truth and Thy protection

        Grant evermore, we pray,

        And in celestial glory

        Shall end our destined way.



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #520 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_

        Text: Ps. 37: 5

        Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1656

        Translated by: composite

        Titled: Befiehl du deine Wege

        Composer: Hans L. Hassler, 1601

        Tune: Herzlich tut mich