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Du bist ein Mensch, das weiszt du wol.--(Goed. 220.)

Appeared in Crü. Praxis, 1656, no. 330.

A hymn of self-abnegation, even self-denunciation, emphasizing the frailty and insignificance of mortals, and closing with an admonition of resignation to God's wise dispensations. Though Gerhardt frequently employs this form of rhyme146146I.e. ab ab cc dd. Cf. nos. 62, 76, 100, 108, 124, 127, 130, 145, 149, 256, 263, 307, 321. only rarely does he combine it with this metre. Both have been strictly observed by J. Kelly, 1867, p. 148:

Stanza 1. Thou art but man, to thee 'tis known,
Why dost thou then endeavor
To do what God should do alone,
Or can accomplish ever?
A thousand griefs thou goest through,
In spite of all thy wit can do;
Upon thine end thou pond'rest
What it will be thou wond'rest.

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