From the Epistle. [1 Pet.3:13-14]

6,6,8,6

Ist Gott für mich so trete

[102]Paul Gerhardt.1650.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

If God be on my side,

Then let who will oppose,

For oft ere now to Him I cried,

And he hath quelled my foes.

If Jesus be my Friend,

If God doth love me well,

What matters all my foes intend,

Though strong they be and fell?

Here I can firmly rest,

I dare to boast of this,

That God the Highest and the Best,

My Friend and Father is.

From dangerous snares He saves,

Where'er He bids me go

He checks the storms and calms the waves,

That nought can work me woe.

I rest upon the ground

Of Jesus and His blood,

For 'tis through Him that I have found

The True Eternal Good.

Nought have I of mine own,

Nought in the life I lead,

What Christ hath given me, that alone

Is worth all love indeed.

His Spirit in me dwells,

O'er all my mind He reigns,

All care and sadness He dispels,

And soothes away all pains.

He prospers day by day

His work within my heart,

Till I have strength and faith to say,

Thou God my Father art!

When weakness on me lies,

And tempts me to despair,

He speaketh words and utters sighs

Of more than mortal prayer;

But what no tongue can tell,

Thou God canst hear and see,

Who readest in the heart full well

If aught there pleaseth Thee.

He whispers in my breast

Sweet words of holy cheer,

How he who seeks in God his rest

Shall ever find Him near;

How God hath built above

A city fair and new,

Where eye and heart shall see and prove

What faith has counted true.

There is prepared on high

My heritage, my lot;

Though here on earth I sink and die,

My heaven shall fail me not.

Though here my days are dark,

And oft my tears must rain,

Whene'er my Saviour's Light I mark,

Lo, all is bright again.

Who joins him to that Lord

Whom Satan flies and hates,

Shall find himself despised, abhorred,

For him the burden waits

Of mockery and shame,

Heaped on his guiltless head;

And crosses, trials, cruel blame,

Shall be his daily bread.

I knew it long ere now,

Yet am I not afraid;

The God to whom I pledged my vow,

Will surely send His aid.

At cost of all I have,

At cost of life and limb,

I cling to God who yet shall save,

I will not turn from Him.

The world may fail and flee,

Thou standest fast for ever,

Nor fire, nor sword, nor plague, from Thee

My trusting soul shall sever.

No hunger, and no thirst,

No poverty or pain,

Let mighty princes do their worst,

Shall fright me back again.

No joys that angels know,

No throne or wide-spread fame,

No love or loss, no fear or woe,

No grief of heart or shame --

Man cannot aught conceive

Of pleasure or of harm

That e'er could tempt my soul to leave

Her refuge in Thine arm.

My heart for gladness springs,

It cannot more be sad,

For very joy it laughs and sings,

Sees nought but sunshine glad.

The sun that glads mine eyes

Is Christ the Lord I love,

I sing for joy of that which lies

Stored up for us above.