Songs of the Cross Childlike Submission.
X.
Childlike Submission.

8,8,8,8,4

Was Gott gefallt o frommes Kind

[365]Paul Gerhardt.1653.

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,

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.

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.

songs of the cross the 4
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