Christian! Dost Thou See Them?

Christian! dost thou see them

On the holy ground,

How the powers of darkness

Rage thy steps around?

Christian! up and smite them,

Counting gain but loss,

In the strength that cometh

By the holy cross.

Christian! dost thou feel them,

How they work within

Striving, tempting, luring,

Goading into sin?

Christian! never tremble;

Never be downcast;

Gird thee for the battle;

Watch, and pray, and fast!

Christian! dost thou hear them,

How they speak thee fair?

“Always fast and vigil?

Always watch and prayer?”

Christian! answer boldly,

“While I breathe I pray!”

Peace shall follow battle,

Night shall end in day.

“Well I know thy trouble,

O my servant true;

Thou art very weary—

I was weary too;

But that toil shall make thee

Some day all mine own,

And the end of sorrow

Shall be near my throne.”

Words: Andrew of Crete, 660-732 (Tr. by John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.)

First tune: St. Andrew of Crete. 6.5.6.5 D. (John By. Dykes, 1823-1876)

Second tune: Greek Hymn 6.5.6.5.D (Joseph P. Holbrook, 1822-1888)

If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him in 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 unfailing love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

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.

Only be still and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take what e'er the Father's pleasure
And all-discerning love hath sent.
Nor doubt thine inmost wants are known
To Him who chose thee for His own.

All are alike before the Highest;
'Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low;
True wonders still by him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving,
So do thine own part faithfully.
And trust His Word--though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
God never yet forsook at need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Words by Georg Neumark, 1641
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1855, 1863
Tune name: NEUMARK 9.8.9.8.8.8.
Tune by Georg Neumark, 1657
(A gorgeous minor tune with splendid harmony)