Der wunderbare Gott

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Der wunderbare Gott” (Paul Henkel, d. 1825), in NEGB #91 for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Gospel: Matt. 6:24–34) with melody assignment “O Gott du frommer Gott.” The Church Hymn Book (1816ff.) gives here in 8 stanzas of Common Meter the English text, “They Who That Sacred Office Bear,” a further improvement of our hymn which, refining the interpretation of the Gospel to the pastoral office, turns the present hymn’s focus on God’s general provision to God’s specific care of ministers of the church, by whom as His instruments He also provides for the church.

 

THE God of wondrous ways
Has wonder-working power
To help in troublous days
And in the needful hour.
Whoever will but trust
In God in every woe,
Is not left in the dust,
But shall deliv’rance know.

2 The God of wondrous ways
Knows well how He will mend it,
Nor His own course displays;
So leave Him to attend it
And lead thee as He knows,
Through cross and tragedy,
Then howsoe’er it goes,
It will be good for thee.

3 The God of wondrous ways
Knows well how to sustain thee,
Thy daily bread conveys,
So to His care constrain thee;
He knows what thou hast not,
He seeth all the rest,
He chooses well thy lot,
For thee it shall be best.

4 Fret not with anxious care
As heathen men, nor worry
What thou wilt eat or wear,
The Lord will all procure thee,
Be only ever true,
Perform thy task and lot,
Then thou wilt see anew,
The Lord forsakes thee not.

5 The world and God can we
Not love from heart sincerely;
That grieves Him heartily
Which this world loveth dearly;
Who serveth Christ his Lord,
Like as a Christian blest,
He gladly doth afford
To him all that is best.

6 Who doth God’s kingdom seek
That it may be extended,
Hears Christ the Savior speak
To him this promise splendid,
To grant him all his days
His needs here and above;
So shall He do always
From utter grace and love.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

CHURCH HYMN BOOK

They who that sacred office bear,
Who act in Jesus’ stead—
It should be their delight and care
To be like Christ their Head.

2 They should not seek for wealth on earth
Or what the world afford,
But act for things of greater worth,
The kingdom of their Lord:

3 The Christian Church on earth to build,
As Jesus gave command;
And to His wise disposals yield,
And trust His bounteous hand.

4 For their support the Lord provides,
Who ev’ry creature feeds,
And all that they may want besides,
He gives them as they need.

5 His ways to humans are unknown,
But full of love and grace;
Commit thy way to Him alone,
And trust unto His ways.

6 His servants He will ne’er forsake;
They need not be afraid,
When in His cause they undertake,
He gives them pow’r and aid.

7 Let no such anxious thoughts arise;
What shall we eat or wear?
The Lord who all your wants supplies,
Will make your wants His care.

8 In all afflictions and distress,
He bears them safely through;
He is their Light, their Life, and Peace
Whilst they act here below.

GERMAN

Der wunderbare Gott
hat wunderbare Wege
zu helfen aus der Noth,
zu schaffen Hilf und Pflege:
wer nur Vertrauen hat
zu Gott in allem Leid,
der findet immer Rath,
auch in der bösen Zeit.

2 Der wunderbare Gott
hat seinen Weg verborgen,
er weiß wohl was er thut,
drum laß du ihn nur sorgen;
und führet er dich wohl
durch Kummer, Kreuz und Noth,
so geht es wie es woll,
und kommt dir doch zu gut.

3 Der wunderbare Gott,
der weiß dich zu erhalten,
sorgt für dein täglich Brod,
drum laß du ihn nur walten;
er weiß wohl was dir fehlt,
er sieht es gar wohl ein;
was er für dich erwählt,
das muß das Beste sein.

4 Sorg nur nicht wie ein Heid
für Essen oder Trinken,
auch nicht für Schuh noch Kleid,
der Herr wirds dir schon schenken,
sei du nur allzeit treu,
verricht dein Amt und Pflicht,
so bleibts gewiß dabei,
der Herr verläßt dich nicht.

5 Man kann nicht Gott und Welt
von Herzen beide lieben;
denn was der Welt gefällt,
thut Jesum nur betrüben;
wer Jesum, seinem Herrn,
dient als ein wahrer Christ,
dem giebt er herzlich gern,
was ihm das Beste ist.

6 Wer nur fürs Erste tracht
des Herren Reich zu mehren,
dem hat er zugesagt,
daß er ihm will bescheren,
was er im Leben hier,
wohl allzeit nöthig hat,
das thut er für und für,
aus lauter Lieb und Gnad.
‡