When fear alarms and dread peace takes,
when sudden angst the soul awakes,
when hope is lost to days grown dark,
then seeks the Word its trusting own,
and waters faith till it be grown.
Cast aside and seemed forgotten,
mired inert in flesh made rotten,
we dwell where dead are despairing,
friendless left to cold's uncaring,
then comes a comfort strange as strong,
our Advocate against all wrong.
Endure we must reverse and loss.
as by gale are but cast and tossed,
suffering blows and mortal pain,
now yielding up all worldly gain,
there testifies both true and stout,
a witness who removes all doubt.
So bitter is the gall of life,
the taste of death is acid rife,
it sours pleasure with its bile,
and makes a frown of glory's smile,
yet grace affords us blessing still,
from Him whose wounds performed God's will.
I will to Christ take refuge certain,
bold appear behind the curtain,
with Him to ask and intercede
invoking God who made Him bleed,
grasping thorns as horns on altar,
reciting words from the psalter.
And thus my burden weighted falls,
as off to Hell my sin He hauls,
fitting me with garment's praise,
He does my head most gracious raise,
my name by Christ confessed to God,
the narrow path's turned wide and broad.
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