also known as “Whate’re my God ordains is right”
Samuel Rodigast, 1675
Translated by Catherine Winkworth
1 Whatever God ordains is good!
Holy His will abideth;
I will be still whate’er he doth,
and follow where he guideth,
He is my God; though dark my road,
he knoweth how to shield me,
wherefore to him I yield me.
2 Whatever God ordains is good!
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path,
I know he will not leave me,
And take content
What he hath sent;
his hand that sends my sadness
Will turn my tears to gladness.
3 Whatever God ordains is good!
His loving thought attends me;
No poisoned draught the cup can be
That my Physician sends me,
But medicine due;
For God is true,
Of doubt, then, I’ll divest me,
And on His goodness rest me.
4 Whatever God ordains is good!
My Life, my Light can never
Intend me harm; then, to His care
I give myself forever
In weal or woe;
For well I know,
I once shall see quite clearly,
That God did love me dearly.
5 Whatever God ordains is good!
though now this cup in drinking
may bitter to my taste appear,
I take it all unshrinking;
For to my heart
God will impart
A timely balm of healing,
and end each painful feeling.
6 Whatever God ordains is good!
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need, or death be mine;
yet I am not forsaken;
My Father’s care is round me there,
His arms embrace and shield me;
Then to my God I yield me.