1. Commit whatever grieves thee
   Into the gracious hands
   Of Him who never leaves thee,
   Who heav’n and earth commands.
   Who points the clouds their courses,
   Whom winds and waves obey,
   He will direct thy footsteps
   And find for thee a way.

2. On Him place thy reliance
   If thou wouldst be secure;
   His work thou must consider
   If thine is to endure.
   By anxious sighs and grieving
   And self-tormenting care
   God is not moved to giving;
   All must be gained by pray’r.

3. Thy truth and grace, O Father,
   Most surely see and know
   Both what is good and evil
   For mortal man below.
   According to Thy counsel
   Thou wilt Thy work pursue;
   And what Thy wisdom chooseth
   Thy might will always do.

4. Thy hand is never shortened,
   All things must serve Thy might;
   Thine ev’ry act is blessing,
   Thy path is purest light.
   Thy work no man can hinder,
   Thy purpose none can stay,
   Since Thou to bless Thy children
   Wilt always find a way.

5. Though all the pow’rs of evil
   The will of God oppose,
   His purpose will not falter,
   His pleasure onward goes.
   Whate’er God’s will resolveth,
   Whatever He intends,
   Will always be accomplished
   True to His aims and ends.

6. Then hope, my feeble spirit,
   And be thou undismayed;
   God helps in ev’ry trial
   And makes thee unafraid.
   Await His time with patience,
   Then shall thine eyes behold
   The sun of joy and gladness
   His brightest beams unfold.

7. Arise, my soul, and banish
   Thine anguish and thy care.
   Away with thoughts that sadden
   And heart and mind ensnare!
   Thou art not lord and master
   Of thine own destiny;
   Enthroned in highest heaven,
   God rules in equity.

8. Leave all to His direction;
   In wisdom He doth reign,
   And in a way most wondrous
   His course He will maintain.
   Soon He, His promise keeping,
   With wonder-working skill
   Shall put away the sorrows
   That now thy spirit fill.

9. A while His consolation
   He may to thee deny,
   And seem as though in trial
   He far from thee would fly;
   A while distress and anguish
   May compass thee around,
   Nor to thy supplication
   An answ’ring voice be found.

10. But if thou perseverest,
    Thou shalt deliv’rance find.
    Behold, all unexpected
    He will thy soul unbind
    And from the heavy burden
    Thy heart will soon set free;
    And thou wilt see the blessing
    He had in mind for thee.

11. O faithful child of heaven,
    How blessèd shalt thou be!
    With songs of glad thanksgiving
    A crown awaiteth thee.
    Into thy hand thy Maker
    Will give the victor’s palm,
    And thou to thy Deliv’rer
    Shalt sing a joyous song.

12. Give, Lord, this consummation
    To all our heart’s distress;
    Our hand, our feet, e’er strengthen,
    In death our spirits bless.
    Thy truth and Thy protection
    Grant evermore, we pray,
    And in celestial glory
    Shall end our destined way.

Befiehl du deine Wege
Paul Gerhardt, 1653
Tr. composite
Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 520