So nimm denn meine Haende.

Johann Caspar Schade, 1692.
Tr. A. Ramsey.
Come, my soul, again inquire
If the love of Christ constrain thee.
To His cross again retire;
See Him give Himself to gain thee.
Search His faithfulness and try Him,
Glad in Him and gladdened by Him.
See Him there, God's only Son
On the tree for thee suspended,
Crowned with thorns, by grief undone,
Crimson stains with crimson blended,
Pierced for thee, transfixed, forsaken:
Deathless love by death o'ertaken.
Thou, yea thou hadst known the rod,
Endless pain thy sole possession;
Thou hadst been cast off by God
For thy multiplied transgression;
But the Lord thy cause defended;
By His grace thou art befriended.
When in mighty woe He died
Vengeance ceased and wrath abated;
Sinai was satisfied;
All things old were new-created;
Sin and death and hell were thwarted;
Life and health and heaven imparted.
Jesus, grace sufficient give
That this mind be ever in me:--
Thine I am; to Thee would live;
Naught from Thee shall ever win me.
Thou wilt not forsake nor leave me;
Let me, Lord, in love receive Thee.
Julie von Haussmann.
Tr. H. Brueckner, 1916.
Take, then, my hands, O Father,
And lead Thou me
Until my journey endeth,
Eternally.
Alone I will not wander
One single day.
Be Thou my true Companion
And with me stay.
O cover with Thy mercy
My poor, weak heart!
Let ev'ry thought rebellious
From me depart.
Permit Thy child to linger
Here at Thy feet
And blindly trust Thy goodness
With faith complete.
Though naught of Thy great power
May move my soul,
With Thee through night and darkness
I reach the goal.
Take, then, my hands, O Father,
And lead Thou me
Until my journey endeth,
Eternally.