7,6,7,6

"I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." -- Psalm 39:12.

"Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden."

[60]Paul Gerhardt.

transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858

A Pilgrim and a stranger,

I journey here below;

Far distant is my country

The home to which I go.

Here I must toil and travel,

Oft weary and opprest,

But there my God shall lead me

To everlasting rest.

I've met with storm and danger,

Even from my early years,

With enemies and conflicts,

With fightings and with fears.

There's nothing here that tempts me

To wish a longer stay,

So I must hasten forwards,

No halting or delay.

It is a well-worn pathway --

Many have gone before:

The holy saints and prophets,

The patriarchs of yore.

They trod the toilsome journey

In patience and in faith;

And them I fain would follow,

Like them in life and death!

Who would share Abraham's blessing,

Must Abraham's path pursue,

A stranger and a pilgrim,

Like him, must journey through.

The foes must be encountered,

The dangers must be passed;

Only a faithful soldier

Receives the crown at last.

So I must hasten forwards --

Thank God, the end will come!

This land of my sojourning

Is not my destined home.

That ever more abideth,

Jerusalem above,

The everlasting city,

The land of light and love.

There still my thoughts are dwelling,

'Tis there I long to be!

Come, Lord, and call Thy servant

To blessedness with Thee!

Come, bid my toils be ended,

Let all my wanderings cease;

Call from the wayside lodging,

To the sweet home of peace!

There I shall dwell forever,

No more a stranger guest,

With all Thy blood-bought children

In everlasting rest.

The pilgrim toils forgotten,

The pilgrim conflicts o'er,

All earthly griefs behind us,

Eternal joys before!