1. Wherefore dost thou longer tarry,
   Blessed of the Lord, afar?
   Would it were Thy will to enter
   To my heart, O Thou my Star,
   Thou my Jesus, Fount of power,
   Helper in the needful hour!
   Sharpest wounds my heart is feeling,
   Touch them, Savior, with Thy healing!

2. For I shrink beneath the terrors
   Of the Law’s tremendous sway;
   All my countless crimes and errors
   Stand before me night and day.
   Oh the heavy, fearful load
   Of the righteous wrath of God!
   Oh the awful voice of thunder
   Cleaving heart and soul asunder!

3. While the foe my soul is telling,
   “There is grace no more for thee,
   Thou must make thy endless dwelling
   In the pains that torture me.”
   Yes, and keener still thy smart,
   Conscience, in my anguished heart,
   By thy venomed tooth tormented,
   Long-past sins are sore repented.

4. Would I then, to soothe my sorrow,
   And my pain awhile forget,
   From the world a comfort borrow,
   I but sink the deeper yet;
   She hath comforts that but grieve,
   Joys that stinging memories leave,
   Helpers that my heart are breaking,
   Friends that do but mock its aching.

5. All the world can give is cheating,
   Strengthless all, and merely nought;
   Have I greatness, it is fleeting;
   Have I riches, are they aught
   But a heap of glittering earth?
   Pleasure? Little is it worth
   When it brings no joy or laughter
   That we shall not rue hereafter.

6. All delight, all consolation,
   Lies in Thee, Lord Jesus Christ,
   Feed my soul with Thy salvation,
   O Thou Bread of Life unpriced.
   Blessed Light, within me glow,
   Ere my heart breaks in its woe;
   Oh refresh me and uphold me,
   Jesus, come, let me behold Thee.

7. Joy, my soul, for He hath heard thee,
   He will come and enter in;
   Lo! He turns and draweth toward thee,
   Let thy welcome-song begin:
   Oh prepare thee for such guest,
   Give thee wholly to thy rest,
   With an open’d heart adore Him,
   Pour thy griefs and fears before Him.

8. Thy misdeeds are thine no longer,
   He hath cast them in the sea,
   And the love of God shall conquer
   All the strength of sin in thee.
   Christ is victor in the field,
   Mightiest wrong to Him must yield,
   He with blessing will exalt thee
   O’er whatever would assault thee.

9. What would seem to hurt or shame thee
   Shall but work thy good at last;
   Since that Christ hath deign’d to claim thee,
   And His truth stands ever fast;
   And if thine but can endure,
   There is nought so fixed and pure
   As that thou shalt hymn His praises
   In the happy heavenly places.

Warum wilt du draussen stehen
Paul Gerhardt, 1653
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858