If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

210 If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

1. 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 trust in God’s unchanging love
   Builds on the rock that naught can move.

2. Only be still, and wait His leisure
   In cheerful hope, with heart content
   To take whatever the Father’s pleasure
   And all discerning love have sent;
   Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
   To Him who chose us for His own.

3. Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways,
   But do your part in conscience true;
   Trust His rich promises of grace,
   So shall they be fulfilled in you;
   God hears the call of those in need,
   The souls that trust in Him indeed.
                         Georg Neumark
                         Trans. by Catherine Winkworth
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1964 edition

This one's a real mess when it come to variations—the line from the translator's biography sums it all up: "Though often altered, these translations continue to be used in many modern hymnals." Seems the original translation went as follows (per Cyberhymnal):

1. 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 trust in God’s unchanging love
   Builds on the rock that naught can move.

2. 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.

3. Be patient and await His leisure
   In cheerful hope, with heart content
   To take whatever thy Father’s pleasure
   And His discerning love hath sent,
   Nor doubt our inmost want are known
   To Him who chose us for His own.

4. God knows full well when time 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.

5. 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 set a bound to everything.

6. All are alike before the Highest:
   ’Tis easy for 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.

7. 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.

Looking at the various incarnations of it at Hymnary.org, you can see how the hymnals have changed some verses and chosen ones they want.

You should take a couple of minutes to read the biography of the German author of the hymn. He knew a bit about hardship and trusting.
</idle musing>