Lyrics
If thou but suffer God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that naught can move.
What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O'er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.
Only be still and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
God knows full well when times of gladness
Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness
And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.
Nor think amid the fiery trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring
And sets a bound to everything.
All are alike before the Highest;
'Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.
Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word, though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.
Song History & Meaning
Composer / Hymnodist: Georg Neumark
When life feels overwhelming, our natural instinct is to cling tightly to control and measure every outcome with worry. Yet this classic hymn tenderly reminds us that true peace begins when we yield our anxious hearts to God's unfailing guidance. Instead of being consumed by dark moments, we are invited to rest upon Christ, our unshakeable Rock. As we surrender our fears today, we can trust that His unchanging love will carry us through every trial with grace and strength.
📖 Related Scripture Passages:
- Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do it.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”