Me and my family joined in on this past Wednesday's Lenten service at Our Savior Lutheran in Raleigh. As somewhat of a newbie still to the Lutheran church, I am still learning many of the hymns. We sang this most spectacular hymn which is new to me. I think I have found my new favorite hymn. This truly speaks of Christ's work. How I have nothing to do with my redemption. My hope is found in Him, and nothing else.
 |
| Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) |
1)Why should cross and trial grieve me?
Christ is near with his cheer;
Never will he leave me.
Who can rob me of the heaven
That God’s Son for me won
When his life was given?
Though their weight may be great,
They will not defeat me.
God, my loving Savior, sends them;
He who knows all my woes
Knows how best to end them.
3)God gives me my days of gladness,
And I will trust Him still
When He sends me sadness.
God is good; His love attends me
Day by day, come what may
Guides me and defends me.
4)From God's joy can nothing sever,
For I am His dear lamb,
He my Shepherd ever.
I am His because He gave me
His own blood for my good,
By His death to save me.
5)Now in Christ, death cannot slay me,
Though it might, day and night
Trouble and dismay me.
Christ has made my death a portal
From the strife of this life
To His joy immortal!
--Paul Gerhardt
It is a wonderful hymn, isn't it? =o)
ReplyDeleteHe wrote this to for his congregation during the 30 years war, which was a truly awful war. Nearly 2/3rds of the people died during the course of the war from its effects.
ReplyDeleteHow comforting these words are!
I had this hymn in mind tonight as we were singing to our 4 and 2 year old at bedtime. I googled some of the words to remember the name so I could find it in the hymnal.
DeleteThanks for posting...seven years ago!