Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America ‎#568

568. If thou but suffer God to guide thee

1 If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength, what e'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days;
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the rock that nought can move.

2 What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee,
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

3 Only be still, and await his leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er your Father's pleasure
And all discerning love have sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To him who chose us for his own.

4 Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving;
In all thy labor faithful be,
And trust his word; though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee:
God never will forsake in need
The soul that trusts in him indeed.

Text Information

• First Line: If thou but suffer God to guide thee
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1829-78
• Author: Georg Neumark, 1621 - 81
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1958
• Topic: The Church Year: Good Friday; The Life In Christ: Conflict and Victory; The Life In Christ: Comfort and Rest

Tune Information

• Name: NEUMARK (WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT)
• Composer: Georg Neumark, 1621 - 81
• Meter: 9 8, 9 8, 8 8.
• Key: g minor