"My Soul's Best Friend, What Joy and Blessing"
                   by Wolfgang C. Dessler, 1660-1722
                              Text From:
                          THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
             (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)



        1. My soul's best Friend, what joy and blessing
        My spirit ever finds in Thee!
        From gloomy depths of doubt distressing
        Into Thine arms for rest I flee.
        Then will the night of sorrow vanish
        When from my heart Thy love doth banish
        All anguish and all pain and fear.
        Yea, here on earth begins my heaven;
        Who would not joyful be when given
        A loving Savior always near!

        2. For though the evil world revile me
        And prove herself my bitter foe
        Or by her smile seek to beguile me,
        I trust her not; her wiles I know.
        In Thee alone my soul rejoices,
        Thy praise alone it gladly voices,
        For Thou art true when friendships flee.
        The world may hate but cannot fell me;
        Would mighty waves of trial quell me,
        I anchor in Thy loyalty.

        3. Through deserts of the cross Thou leadest;
        I follow, leaning on Thy hand.
        From out the cloud Thy child Thou feedest
        And givest water from the sand.
        I trust Thy ways, howe'er distressing;
        I know my path will end in blessing;
        Enough that Thou wilt be my Stay.
        For whom to honor Thou intendest
        Oft into sorrow's vale Thou sendest;
        The night must e'er precede the day.

        4. My soul's best Friend, how well contented
        Am I, reposing on Thy breast;
        By sin no more am I tormented
        Since Thou dost grant me peace and rest.
        Oh, may the grace that Thou hast given
        For me a foretaste be of heaven,
        All anguish and all pain and fear.
        When I shall bask in joys divine!
        Away, vain world, with fleeting pleasures;
        In Christ I have abiding treasures.
        Oh, comfort sweet, my Friend is mine!

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #362 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Song of Solomon 5:16
        Author: Wolfgang C. Dessler, 1692, cento
        Translator: composite
        Tune: "Wie wohl ist mir"
        1st Published in:  _Geistreiches Gesangbuch_
        Town: Halle, 1704