What pleases God, O pious soul, Accept with joy, though thunders roll And tempests lower on every side, Thou knowest nought can thee betide But pleases God. | The best will is our Father's will, And we may rest there calm and still, 194 Oh make it hour by hour thine own, And wish for nought but that alone Which pleases God. | His thought is aye the wisest thought, How oft man's wisdom comes to nought, Mistake or weakness in it lurks, It brings forth ill, and seldom works What pleases God. | His mind is aye the gentlest mind, His will and deeds are ever kind, He blesses when against us speaks The evil world, that rarely seeks What pleases God. | His heart is aye the truest heart, He bids all grief and harm depart, Defending, shielding day and night The man who knows and loves aright What pleases God. | He governs all things here below, In Him lie all our weal and woe, He bears the world within His hand, And so to us bear sea and land What pleases God. | And o'er His little flock He yearns, And when to evil ways it turns, The Father's rod oft smiteth sore, Until it learns to do once more What pleases God. | 195 What most would profit us He knows, And ne'er denies aught good to those Who with their utmost strength pursue The right, and only care to do What pleases God. | If this be so, then World, from me Keep if thou wilt, what pleases thee; But thou, my soul, be well content With God and all things He hath sent; As pleases God. | And must thou suffer here and there, Cling but the firmer to His care, For all things are beneath His sway, And must in very truth obey What pleases God. | True faith will grasp His mercy fast, And hope bring patience at the last, Then both within thy heart enshrine, So shall the heritage be thine That pleases God. | To thee for ever shall be given A kingdom and a crown in heaven, And there shall be fulfill'd in thee, And thou shalt taste and hear and see What pleases God. | |