Scripture Verse

Although…the fields shall yield no meat…yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17–18

Introduction

portrait
Benjamin Schmolck
1672–1737

Words: Ben­ja­min Schmolck, Freu­den-Oel in Trau­rig­keit (Bres­lau [now Wro­cław, Po­land]: 1720) (Was Gott thut das ist wohl­ge­than). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Hen­ry W. Bak­er in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1861.

Music: Cas­sel Er­bau­lich­er mu­sic­al­isch­er Chris­ten-schatz (Ba­sel, Swit­zer­land: 1745) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Verona John H. Deane, in the Hym­nal and Or­der of Ser­vice (Rock Is­land Il­li­nois: Lu­ther­an Au­gus­ta­na Book Con­cern, 1901), num­ber 306 (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Henry W. Baker
1821–1877

Lyrics

What our Father does is well;
Blessèd truth His children tell!
Though He send, for plenty, want,
Though the harvest-store be scant,
Yet we rest upon His love,
Seeking better things above.

What our Father does is well;
Shall the willful heart rebel?
If a blessing He withhold
In the field, or in the fold,
Is it not Himself to be
All our store eternally?

What our Father does is well;
Though He sadden hill and dell,
Upward yet our praises rise
For the strength His Word supplies;
He has called us sons of God,
Can we murmur at His rod?

What our Father does is well;
May the thought within us dwell;
Though nor milk nor honey flow
In our barren Canaan now,
God can save us in our need,
God can bless us, God can feed.

Therefore unto Him we raise
Hymns of glory, songs of praise;
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three in One,
Honor, might, and glory be
Now, and through eternity.