8,8,8,8,8,8,4

Ich lass Ihn nicht, der einst gekommen

[306]Gottfried Arnold

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

I leave Him not, who came to save

When I had trifled hope away;

He must be mine until the grave

Since once He deigned to be my stay;

O world, I put thy offers by,

My loyal love hath one reply,

I leave Him not.

I leave Him not; -- for since He chose

Me for His own, I choose Him too;

Since He for me faced all my foes,

In death itself will I be true;

Why tempt me, Earth, with false delight?

Why seek, O Hell, my soul t'affright?

I leave Him not.

I leave Him not; He leaves not me,

The Saviour evermore the same,

Who since He suffered on the tree,

Beareth that high and glorious Name;

Whate'er the storms that on me fall,

His Godhead's glory streams through all;

I leave Him not.

I leave Him not; Earth I can leave,

With all her glory and her power,

But He, to whom my soul must cleave,

Is caring for me every hour,

Leading me through the tedious night,

Up to the very Source of Light;

I leave Him not.

I leave Him not; what wouldst thou, Sin?

Thou hast been buried in the sea.

What would ye, depths of Hell, begin?

Ye have no part or power in me!

Thy sting, O Death, I shall not feel,

Christ will His life in me reveal;

I leave Him not.