3. The Law may threaten endless death From awful Sinai’s burning hill, Straightway from its consuming breath My soul through faith mounts higher still; She throws herself at Jesus’ feet And finds with Him a safe retreat, Where curse and death can never come. Though all foes threaten condemnation, Yet, Jesus, Thou art my Salvation, For in Thy love I find my home. 4. Through deserts of the cross Thou leadest; I follow, leaning on Thy hand; From out the clouds Thy child Thou feedest And giv’st him water from the sand. I know Thy wondrous ways will end In love and blessing, Thou true Friend; Enough, if Thou art ever near. I know whom Thou wilt glorify And raise o’er sun and stars on high, Thou lead’st through depths and darkness here. 5. To others death seems dark and grim, But not, Thou Life of life, to me. I know Thou ne’er forsakest him Whose heart and spirit rest in Thee. Oh, who would fear his journey’s close If from dark woods and lurking foes He then find safety and release? Nay, rather, with a joyful heart From this dark region I depart To Thy eternal light and peace. 6. O Friend of souls, then blest indeed Am I when on Thy love I lean! The world nor pain nor death I heed, Since Thou, my God, my Joy hast been. O let this peace that Thou hast giv’n Be but a foretaste of Thy heav’n, For goodness infinite is Thine. Hence, world, with all thy flattering toys! In God alone lie all my joys; O rich delight, my Friend is mine! W. C. Dessler, 1692; C. Winkworth, tr., a. GOD’S WORD. 110 L. M. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, For round us falls the eventide; Let not Thy Word, that heavenly light, For us be ever veiled in night. 2. In these last days of sore distress Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness, That pure we keep, till life is spent, Thy holy Word and Sacrament. 3. Lord Jesus, help, Thy Church uphold, For we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold; Indue Thy Word with power and grace And spread its truth in every place. 4. O keep us in Thy Word, we pray; The guile and rage of Satan stay; Unto Thy Church grant, Lord, Thy grace, Peace, concord, patience, fearlessness. 5. O God! how sin’s dread works abound! Throughout the earth no rest is found, And wide has falsehood’s spirit spread, And error boldly rears its head. 6. Those haughty spirits, Lord, restrain Who o’er Thy Church with might would reign And always offer something new, Devised to change Thy doctrine true. 7. And since the cause and glory, Lord, Are Thine, not ours, do Thou afford Us help and strength and constancy; With all our heart we trust in Thee.