Yea my spirit fain would sink

Representative Text

Yea my spirit fain would sink
In Thy heart and hands, my God,
Waiting till Thou show the end
Of the ways she here hath trod;
Stripped of self, how calm her rest
On her loving Father's breast!

And my soul repineth not,
Well content whate'er befall;
Murmurs, wishes, of self-will,
They are slain and vanquished all,
Restless thoughts, that fret and crave,
Slumber in her Saviour's grave.

And my soul is free from care,
For her thoughts from all things cease
That can pierce like sharpest thorns
Wounding sore the inner peace.
He who made her careth well,
She but seeks in peace to dwell.

And my soul despaireth not,
Loving God amid her woe;
Grief that wrings and breaks the heart
Only they who hate Him know:
They who love Him still possess
Comfort in their worst distress.

And my soul complaineth not,
For she knows not pain or fear,
Clinging to her God in faith,
Trusting though He slay her here.
'Tis when flesh and blood repine,
Son of joy, Thou canst not shine.

Thus my soul before her God
Lieth still, nor speaketh more,
Conqueror thus o'er pain and wrong,
That once smote her to the core;
Like a silent ocean, bright
With her God's great praise and light.

Source: Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year #81

Author: Johann Joseph Winckler

Winckler, John Joseph, a German Pietist, was born at Luckau, in Saxony, December 23, 1670. He was at first a pastor at Magdeburg, then a chaplain in the Protestant army, accompanying the troops to Holland and Italy, and at length returned to Magdeburg and became chief minister of the cathedral. He was no less eminent for his mental culture than for his piety. He was a preacher and writer who had the courage of his convictions, and this quality is notably manifest in the hymn by him found in this collection. He died August 11, 1722. Shall I, for fear of feeble man 225 Hymn Writers of the Church Nutter… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Yea my spirit fain would sink
German Title: Meine Seele senket sich
Author: Johann Joseph Winckler (1713)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7.7
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 4 of 4)
Page Scan

Hymns of the Church Militant #404

Page Scan

Lyra Germanica #198

Text

Lyra Germanica #81

Page Scan

Lyra Germanica #S1-81

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us