My God! my works and all I do,

Rest only on Thy will, I know,

Thy blessing prospers ever,

When Thou dost guide, we persevere

In right ways, erring never.

It standeth not in human might

That man’s devices issue right,

His way with gladness endeth:

God’s counsel only prospers sure,

’Tis He success who sendeth.

Man often thinks in haughty mood

That this or that is for his good,

Yet widely he mistaketh;

He often thinketh that is ill

Whereof the Lord choice maketh.

But wise men e’en who joyfully

Begin a good work, frequently

Reach no good termination;

They build a castle firm and strong,

But sand is the foundation.

How many in their fancy stray

High over mountain peaks away,

Ere they bethink them ever;

Down to the ground they fall, and vain

Has been their strong endeavour.

Dear Father! therefore, who the crown

And sceptre bear’st on Heav’n’s throne,

Who from the clouds dost lighten,

Regard my words, and hear my cry,

From Thy seat my soul brighten!

Vouchsafe to me the noble light

That from Thy countenance so bright

On pious souls aye breaketh,

And where the pow’r of wisdom true

Through Thine own pow’r awaketh.

Give understanding from on high,

That I henceforward may rely

Upon mine own will never.

Be Thou my counsel, that I may

Fulfil the good, Lord! ever.

Prove all things well, whate’er is good

Give to me, but what flesh and blood

Doth choose, withhold it ever.

The highest good, the fairest part,

Thy glory is and favour.

Sun of my soul! my chief delight!

Whate’er is pleasing in Thy sight,

Oh! may I choose and do it;

And what’s displeasing unto Thee,

May I, O Lord! eschew it.

Is it from Thee? my work then bless;

Is it of man? withhold success,

And change what I’m resolving.

Dost Thou not work? ’twill come to nought,

In failure soon involving.

But should Thine and our enemy

Begin to rage revengefully

Against the good Thou’rt meaning,

My comfort is, Thou canst avert

His wrath, me ever screening.

Draw near, and let it easy be,

What seems impossible to me,

A happy issue give it;

What Thou Thyself didst undertake,

Thy wisdom did conceive it.

Though hard at first the work may be,

And I may through the deepest sea

Of bitter grief be passing,

Oh! may I only driven be

To sighs and pray’r unceasing.

Whoever prays and trusteth Thee,

With valiant heart shall victor be

O’er all that frightens ever,

In thousand pieces speedily

Grief’s heavy stone shall shiver.

The way to good is almost wild,

With thorns and hedges is it fill’d;

Along this way who goeth

He by the Spirit’s grace at last

What heav’nly joy is knoweth.

I am Thy child, my Father Thou!

Thou hast abundance to bestow,

Nought can I find within me;

Help, that I may maintain my ground,

As victor home, Lord! bring me.

Thine be the glory and the pow’r!

Thy mighty works I’ll more and more

From heart with rapture swelling,

Before Thy folk and all the world,

All my life long be telling.