150 151 Paul Gerhardt – A Guest on Earth I Wander The 119th Psalm 1) A guest on earth I wander And here have no abode; My fatherland is yonder, In heaven with my God. Here to and fro I’m driven, In rest eternal there God’s gift of grace is given That endeth toil and care. 2) What hath been my condition, From youth up to this day, But sorrow and affliction? Far back as thought can stray How many a toilsome morning, How many an anxious night, With cares and troubles swarming, have passed before my sight. 3) Upon the ways I’ve wandered, What storms have terrified! Wind, rain, lightning, and thunder Wrought fear on ev’ry side. Hate, envy, persecution, Though undeserved by me: This was the sad condition I must bear patiently. 4) So lived the honored fathers In whose footsteps we tread, From whom the saint oft gathers The wisdom he may need. They hither went and thither, Great crosses bore each day, Till death came to deliver, Them in the grave to lay. 5) Throughout my life I’ve weathered Like fortunes and like woes. Could I be living better Than such great men as those? We must indeed press onward, We must our race still run! Who will not strive to conquer Gains not the joy to come. 6) So, while on earth, though weary, My life shall thus be spent; Yet think I not to tarry Fore’er in this strange tent. Along the streets I take me That lead me to my home; My Father’s comforts wait me, When unto Him I’ve come. 7) My home above is waiting, Where all the angel bands
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