Why halt thus, O deluded heart

Representative Text

Why halt thus, O deluded heart,
Why waver longer in thy choice?
Is it so hard to choose the part
Offered by Heaven's entreating voice?
Oh look with clearer eyes again,
Nor strive to enter in, in vain.
Press on!

Remember, 'tis not Caesar's throne,
Nor earthly honour, wealth or might
Whereby God's favour shall be show
To him who conquers in the fight;
Himself and an eternity
Of bliss and rest he offers thee.
Press on!

God crowneth no divided heart;
To Him oh hallow all thy life!
Who loveth Jesus but in part,
he works himself much pain and strife,
And gains what he deserveth well,
Here conflict, and hereafter hell.
Press on!

Who wrestling long, with many a cry
Can bid farewell at last to all,
Yet ever loves the Lord most High,
Loves Him alone whate'er befall,
Is counted worthy of the crown,
And on a kingly throne set down.
Press on!

Then break the rotten bonds away
That hinder you your race to run,
That make you linger oft and stay;
Oh be your course afresh begun!
Let no false rest your soul deceive,
Up! 'tis a Heaven ye must receive!
Press on!

Omnipotence is on your side,
And Wisdom watches o'er your heads,
And God Himself will be your guide
So ye but follow where He leads;
How many guided by His hand,
Have reached ere now their father-land!
Press on!

Nor let the body dull the soul,
Its weakness, fears, and sloth despise;
Man toils and roams from pole to pole
To gain some earthly fleeting prize,
The Highest Good he little cares
To win, or striving soon despairs.
Press on!

Oh help each other, hasten on,
Behold the goal is nigh at hand;
The battle-field shall soon be won,
Your King shall soon before you stand!
To calmest rest He leads you now,
And sets His crown upon your brow.
Press on!

Source: Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year #60

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Author: Leopold Franz Friedrich Lehr

Lehr, Leopold Franz Friedrich, son of Johann Jakob Lehr, Hofrath at Cronenburg (Cronberg, Kronberg), near Frankfurt-am-Main, was born at Cronenburg, Sept. 3, 1709, and entered the University of Jena in 1729, In 1730 he went to Halle to study under J. J. Rambach and G. A. Francke; and here he also acted as tutor to the children of J. A. Freylinghausen, and conducted devotional meetings at the Orphanage. In July 1731 he became a tutor at Cöthen (Köthen) to the princesses of Anhalt-Cöthen, and held this post till 1740, when he was appointed diaconus of the Lutheran church at Cöthen. While on a visit to his father-in-law at Magdeburg he was seized with fever, and died there, Jan. 26, 1744. (Koch, vi. 446, &c.) Lehr's hymns are full of lo… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Why halt thus, O deluded heart
German Title:	Was hinket ihr, betrog'ne Seelen
Author:	Leopold Franz Friedrich Lehr (1733)
Translator:	Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Meter:	8.8.8.8.8.8.2
Language:	English