Paul Gerhardt as a Hymn Writer and his Influence on English Hymnody

I'll praise thee with my heart and tongue,

O Lord, my soul's delight,

Declaring to the world in song

Thy glory, praise and might.

Thou art th'eternal source of grace,

The fount of lasting bliss;

From thee unto the human race

Flows all true happiness.

On thee, almighty Lord of hosts,

Depend our life and all;

Thou keepest watch around our coasts,

Protecting great and small.

Thy chastisements are nought but love;

When we our sins confess,

We thy forgiveness richly prove;

'Tis thy delight to bless.

Hast thou not tended us and fed,

E'en from our earliest days;

Our souls with loving-kindness led

Through many dangerous ways?

God never yet mistake hath made

In his vast government;

And all he doth permit or aid

Is blest in the event.

Then murmur not, but be resigned

To his most holy will;

Peace, rest and comfort thou wilt find,

My soul, in being still.