Paul Gerhardt's Spiritual Songs Translated by John Kelly

Excerpt: ... And what is hidden from mine eye Thou seest, all I am and own To Thine omniscient mind is known. Whene'r I sit, lie down, or stand, Or walk, or run, on ev'ry hand Thy presence doth encompass me, At all times I am hard by Thee. And all the thoughts that stir my heart, That lurk in its most secret part, Thy searching eye doth scrutinize Ere they to consciousness arise. And never from my tongue a word Escapes, by Thee, O Lord, unheard; Thou order'st all I speak or do, And guidest me life's journey through. 139 'Tis true, I know, but must remain A knowledge I can ne'er attain, A mystery beyond the ken Of feeble and short-sighted men. Where shall I from Thy Spirit fly, Escape from Thine omniscient eye? Where shall I from Thy presence hide, And where remote from Thee abide? If I ascend the utmost height Of heav'n, there art Thou, thron'd in light; Or should I down to hell repair And make my bed, I'd find Thee there. Should I on morning's pinions ride, As far as ocean's empire wide Of stormy waves breaks on the land, I'd be upheld by Thy right hand. Or if the help of night I sought, No change by darkness would be wrought, For let the night be as it may, With Thee is ever cloudless day. 140 'Mid darkest shadows Thou canst see, The darkness is a light to Thee, Thy glance is ever clear and bright, From sun and moon Thou need'st no light. My reins Thou ever hast possess'd, For in Thy hand they ever rest, From infancy Thou hast me led, With daily blessings crown'd my head. Thou hast, who'rt greatly to be fear'd, My frame with cunning hand uprear'd; Thy works, Thy wondrous pow'r forth tell, And that my soul doth know right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, When I in secret curiously Was fashion'd in the depths of earth, From whence Thy pow'r hath brought me forth. Before my time, my times for me Determin'd were by Thy decree, The tale of years and days I'd see, Hours, moments, all were fix'd by Thee. 141 My God, how precious, sweet, and fair, I see...