Author: Paul Gerhardt; Catherine Winkworth Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8 Appears in 3 hymnals First Line: Wherefore dost Thou longer tarry Lyrics: 1 Wherefore dost Thou longer tarry,
Blessed of the Lord, afar?
Would it were Thy will to enter
To my heart, O Thou my Star,
Thou my Jesus, Fount of power,
Helper in the needful hour!
Sharpest wounds my heart is feeling,
Touch them, Saviour, with Thy healing!
2 For I shrink beneath the terrors
Of the law’s tremendous sway;
All my countless crimes and errors
Stand before me night and day.
Oh the heavy, fearful load
Of the righteous wrath of God!
Oh the awful voice of thunder
Cleaving heart and soul asunder!
3 While the foe my soul is telling,
There is grace no more for thee,
Thou must make thy endless dwelling
In the pains that torture me.
Yes, and keener still thy smart,
Conscience, in my anguished heart,
By thy venomed tooth tormented,
Long past sins are sore repented.
4 Would I then, to soothe my sorrow,
And my pain awhile forget,
From the world a comfort borrow,
I but sink the deeper yet,
She hath comforts that but grieve,
Joys that stinging memories leave,
Helpers that my heart are breaking,
Friends that do but mock its aching.
5 All the world can give is cheating,
Strengthless all, and merely nought;
Have I greatness, it is fleeting;
Have I riches, are they aught
But a heap of glittering earth?
Pleasure? Little is it worth
When it brings no joy or laughter
That thou wilt not rue hereafter.
6 All delight, all consolation
Lies in Thee, Lord Jesus Christ,
Feed my soul with Thy salvation,
O Thou Bread of Life unpriced.
Blessed Light, within me glow,
Ere my heart breaks in its woe;
Oh refresh me and uphold me,
Jesu, come, let me behold Thee.
7 Joy, my soul, for He hath heard thee,
He will come and enter in;
Lo! He turns and draweth toward thee,
Let thy welcome-song begin;
Oh prepare thee for such guest,
Give thee wholly to thy rest,
With an opened heart adore Him,
Pour thy griefs and fears before Him.
8 Thy misdeeds are thine no longer,
He hath cast them in the sea,
And the love of God shall conquer
All the strength of sin in thee.
Christ is victor in the field,
Mightiest wrong to Him must yield,
He with blessing will exalt thee
O’er whate’er would here assault thee.
9 What would seem to hurt or shame thee
Shall but work thy good at last,
Since the Christ hath deigned to claim thee,
And His truth stands ever fast;
And if thou can but endure,
There is nought so fixed and sure,
As that thou shalt hymn His praises
In the happy heav’nly places. Used With Tune: WERDE MUNTER Text Sources: Proxis Pietatis Melica by Johann Crüger, 1647; Tr.: Lyra Germanica, second series, 1858 and Chorals Book for Engaand, 1863
Wherefore Dost Thou Longer Tarry?
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