Whilst Thou art giving What for a living Seems very needful, Oh, make Thou me heedful Of this great truth and commendable thought: God, like a tower, Transcends all in power; Good beyond telling, In beauty excelling, He doth suffice me, all else counts for naught. If grief and sadness Temper my gladness If for the morrow Thou send me sorrow Do as Thou wilt, for my trust is in Thee. Thou surely knowest That what Thou bestowest, E'en though distressing, Must bring me a blessing; Thou wilt not deal too severely with me. Ills that still grieve me Soon are to leave me; Though waves may tower And winds gain power, After the storm the fair sun shows its face. Joys e'er increasing, And peace never ceasing, These I shall treasure And share in full measure When in His mansions God grants me a place. Paul Gerhardt, 1666. Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918. Prayer for Saturday Evening. Praise be unto Thee, Thou great and unchangeable God! Praise be unto Thy goodness and mercy! Praise be unto Thy eternal wisdom and truth, that Thou hast preserved me during the day now past from all danger and harm. I pray Thee, graciously perfect Thy goodness which Thou hast begun in me, and suffer me to rest this night under Thy protecting shield, and cover me with Thy wings. Suffer me to put my trust under the shadow of Thy hands, that I fear no evil. Keep me, O God, as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. Lord, Thou art the portion of mine inheritance; my salvation is in Thy hands. Grant unto me, according to Thy goodness, that neither fear nor trembling come over me, and no terrors of the night overwhelm me. Be merciful unto me, for in Thee do I put my trust, and under the shadow of Thy wings do I find my refuge. I seek the Lord in the time of need; my hand is outstretched in the night without ceasing; for my soul has none other comfort; and I know of none other helper in heaven or earth but Thee alone. At midnight when I awaken, I meditate upon Thy name, so altogether lovely, upon Thy goodness and fidelity, vouchsafed unto me, and I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments. When I am troubled I remember God, when my spirit is overwhelmed I speak of my Savior. For He redeemeth my life from destruction and saveth me from the snares of death. Lord God, my Savior, by day and by night do I cry unto Thee, pardon all my transgressions, which during this day and the week now past I have committed against Thee. O Lord, deliver my soul for Thy mercy's sake. Thou art gracious and just, and our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple. I was brought low, and He helped me. Therefore will I rejoice and praise Thee, and sing aloud upon my bed. For the days of my life will appear as