Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#377

377. Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me

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
Ev'rywhere
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 heav'nly 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!

Text Information

• First Line: Why should cross and trial grieve me?
• Title: Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me
• German Title: Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen
• Author: P. Gerhardt, 1607-76
• Translator: J. Kelly, 1833-90
• Meter: 8 33 6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Cross and Comfort; Easter 4
• Source: Tr. composite

Tune Information

• Name: WARUM SOLLT ICH MICH DEN GRÄMEN
• Composer: J. G. Ebeling, 1637-76
• Meter: 8 33 6 D
• Key: F Major