The Word of God

235 UPON a mount there stood a tree,

a ,
With golden fruit weighed down;
That tree was seen throughout the land,

And great was its renown.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,

And of its fruit they ate.

2 Yet, while so many pluck its fruit,

Now as in days of yore,
The goodly tree no bareness shows,

Nor loses of its lore.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,

And of its fruit they ate.

3 Who knows this tree with golden fruit,

This tree of wondrous fame? Now let us make a ready guess :

“The Bible” is its name.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,
And of its fruit they ate.

C. G. Barth.
H. Brueckner, Tr.

5 Shine on the darkened and the cold,

Recall the wand'rers from Thy fold,
Unite all those who walk apart,
Confirm the weak and doubting heart.

6 So they with us may evermore

Such grace with wond'ring thanks adore,
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all Thy church in earth and heaven.

J. Herrmann.
C. Winkworth, Tr.

The Word of God

235

UPON

PON a mount there stood a tree,

With golden fruit weighed down;
That tree was seen throughout the land,

And great was its renown.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,

And of its fruit they ate.

2 Yet, while so many pluck its fruit,

Now as in days of yore,
The goodly tree no bareness shows,

Nor loses of its lore.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,

And of its fruit they ate.

3 Who knows this tree with golden fruit,

This tree of wondrous fame? Now let us make a ready guess :

"The Bible” is its name.
In countless numbers people came,

Some early and some late;
They shook the tree with eager hand,
And of its fruit they ate.

C. G. Barth.
H. Brueckner, Tr.

236

AS

S AFTER the water brooks panteth

The heart when it sinks in the chase,
So thirsteth my soul, as it fainteth,

For Thee, O my God, and Thy grace;
For Thou are the Fount everliving,
Who unto the thirsty art giving

The water of life that I need.

2 Thou, Thou art my Rock of salvation,

My house I have built upon Thee;
O if Thou shouldst fail as foundation,

My ruin it surely would be;
Lord, deep unto deep now is calling,
Thy waves and Thy billows appalling

Arise to go over my soul.

3 His light and His truth, they shall lead me

In peace to His temple at last;
I rest on His Word, He will speed me,

And conflict and sorrow are past;
Yea, joyful I anthems will raise Him,
With heart and with voice will I praise Him,
My Health and my Life and my God.

N. F. S. Grundtvig.

C. Doving, Tr.

237

SPREAD, O spread, Thou mighty Word,

Spread the kingdom of the Lord Wheresoe'er His breath has giv'n Life to beings meant for heav'n.

2 Tell them how the Father's will

Made the world and keeps it still;
How His only Son He gave,
Man from sin and death to save.

3 Tell of our Redeemer's love,

Who forever doth remove,
By His holy sacrifice,
All the guilt that on us lies.

4 Tell them of the Spirit giv'n

Now to guide us up to heav'n,
Strong and holy, just and true,
Working both to will and do.

5 Word of Life, most pure and strong,

Lo, for Thee the nations long;
Spread, till from its dreary night
All the world awakes to light.

6 Lord of harvest, let there be

Joy and strength to work for Thee;
Let the nations far and near,
See Thy light and learn Thy fear.

J. F. Bahnmaier.