Christ My Song - 1083
God must acquaint his comforters with grief - Comforted of God
(Hannah K. Burlingham/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
Comforted of God.
1. God must acquaint his comforters with grief,
else have their words the tinkling cymbal's sound;
he first who brought the wounded heart relief,
himself lay stricken, bleeding on the ground.
The eagle, mounting high with sunlit wings,
fears not the random dart the heedless marksman flings. PDF - Midi
2. Oh, there is truth surpassing mortal ken,
that God, through suffering, teacheth to his own;
yea, glories unperceived by faithless men,
too vast for Faith herself to view alone.
Thrice happy who, in frequent tears and pain,
those blissful heights, step after step, with Him may gain.
3. Why should this human heart, instinct with love,
expect an answer in the stranger-land?
Enough to have a full response above;
enough that One its way can understand.
Let love on earth her wealth in streamlets spend;
its depths are all reserved for one celestial Friend.
4. Lord, I would learn the meaning of the Cross;
death unto all proud nature thought to claim:
what once was gain, esteeming only loss;
all fullness finding in thy lowly name.
Mine be thy portion here, O crucified!
nor let me dream to live, where Jesus wept and died.
5. Thou risen Christ! my life is hid with thee!
My all art thou, I've nought beside to seek:
I only ask that thou wouldst strengthen me
a little while, thy praises here to speak;
then, at thy word transformed, I shall arise,
and, singing, upward soar, in light beyond the skies!
Hannah K. Burlingham, Wayside Songs, 1901, 153-154.