"Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?" by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676 Text From: THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942), p. 367 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 my own To my faith hath given? 2. Though a heavy cross I'm bearing And my heart Feels the smart, Shall I be despairing? God, my Helper, who doth send it, Well doth know All my woe And how best to end it. 3. God oft gives me days of gladness; Shall I grieve If He give Seasons, too, of sadness? God is good and tempers ever All my ill, And He will Wholly leave me never. 4. Hopeful, cheerful, and undaunted Everywhere They appear Who in Christ are planted. Death itself cannot appal them, They rejoice When the voice Of their Lord doth call them. 5. Death cannot destroy forever; From our fears, Cares, and tears It will us deliver. It will close life's mournful story, Make a way That we may Enter heavenly glory. 6. What is all this life possesses? But a hand Full of sand That the heart distresses. Noble gifts that pall me never Christ, our Lord, Will accord To His saints forever. 7. Lord, my Shepherd, take me to Thee. Thou art mine; I was Thine, Even e'er I knew Thee. I am Thine, for Thou hast bought me; Lost I stood, But Thy blood Free salvation brought me. 8. Thou art mine; I love and own Thee. Light of Joy, Ne'er shall I From my heart dethrone Thee. Savior, let me soon behold Thee Face to face, -May Thy grace Evermore enfold me! _____________________________________________________ Notes: Hymn #523 from The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Ps. 73: 23 Author: Paul Gerhardt Translated by: composite, based on John Kelly, 1867 Titled: Warum sollt' ich mich denn graemen Composer: Johann G. Ebeling, 1666 Tune: Warum sollt' ich mich denn graemen ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 481-2123 Fax: (219) 481-2126 ______________________________________________________________