Author: Karl Philipp Spitta (1801-1859) Composer: Carl Ferdinand Becker (1804-1877)
1. Be our journey and our way Of temptations full; Be our earthly pilgrimage But an humbling school, Yet we are of joyful mind, Trusting not thereon What ourselves we do or find, But that Christ is strong.
2. Of this we are confident And we hold it fast, That the Lord, though heavens rend, Keeps us to the last. Though our strength so oft indeed Threatens to take wing, We keep faith, there is no need, We still have our King.
3. He that water for His own Out of rocks did bring, And the food for prophet lone Sent on raven’s wing; He who with few fish and bread Multitudes did feed, Has He not, when all is said, Help in ev’ry need?
4. He who in His tender care Holds the world and all, And without whose will no hair From our head may fall; To whom great is not too great, Small is not too small, Could He really come too late, Or not heed our call?
5. He that opened heavens, hath Out of such great love, For us plainly marked the path To the realms above; He who keeps that home prepared, Would He e’er allow Those for whom He surely cared All to perish now?
6. Nay, that shall not be our lot, God is ever kind; Keeps His promise, breaks it not, Comforts heart and mind, Though you may see trouble nigh – Pilgrim, do not fear, Look in faith to God on high For your help is near!