Text © Ian M. Welch

1. Why remain outside my dwelling,
   blessed One, O Lord most dear?
   Come inside, my heart compelling
   to my Star who draws so near.
   Jesus, joy beyond compare,
   helper when distress I bear,
   heal my heart’s deep hidden aching,
   bind the wounds that sorrow’s making.
2. My afflictions are the anguish
   day and night the Law declares,
   when its iron hammer strikes me
   with the dread its sentence bears.
   Oh, the thund’rous, dread decree,
   righteous wrath pronounced on me,
   deep within my heart is piercing,
   till my very blood is stirring.
3. Then the Devil’s harsh condemning
   rejects grace and seals my doom,
   as though I must lie unending
   in the depths of endless gloom.
   Worse than all his false decree,
   conscience testifies in me,
   gnawing inward, never ceasing,
   as a poisoned serpent’s seizing.
4. When I try to ease my sorrow,
   and relieve my heart’s desire
   through the world and all who follow,
   I sink deeper in the mire.
   Comfort turns to heaviness,
   joy becomes my bitterness,
   helpers adding deeper aching,
   friends with all their laughter feigning.
5. All the world is vain and fading,
   nothing firm or sure remains.
   Have I honor? Soon degrading.
   Have I riches? Empty gains.
   Is it more than common clay?
   What is pleasure’s worth today?
   What delights me now in laughter
   leaves remorse the morning after.
6. All true comfort, all my rapture
   rest in you, Lord Jesus Christ;
   you alone become my pasture
   where the hungry share your feast.
   Shine on me, O joyful Light,
   lest my heart give way to night;
   let me drink and find refreshing,
   you, O Lord, pour out your blessing.
7. Rejoice, my heart, your prayer is answered,
   now he comes to dwell with you;
   see, the Lord himself has entered,
   bid him welcome, firm and true.
   Make yourself his resting place,
   give yourself to his embrace;
   open wide your heart, confessing,
   tell him all that is distressing.
8. See how all your former troubles
   now grow quiet at his word?
   Hear how Christ your terror humbles
   with the sweetness you have heard?
   See the mighty dragon fall,
   cease his fury, end it all;
   and now sorely bruised and wounded,
   flee to his abyss confounded.
9. Now you dwell in sweetest pleasure,
   all you long for is your own;
   Christ has made himself your treasure,
   lays his riches by your throne.
   Jesus’ grace becomes your crown,
   you are now his very own;
   he has drawn you to his dwelling,
   calls you members by his telling.
10. He surrounds you with his glory,
    spreads a shelter all around;
    so no raging adversary
    strikes you down upon the ground.
    Angels guard you ever near,
    driving far all threat and fear;
    when you turn to this or that way,
    they will bear you on your pathway.
11. All the wrong that you have carried,
    everything is put away;
    Christ has seized it, crushed and buried,
    sin’s whole might must yield and sway.
    Jesus’ triumph rules the world,
    all the evil that is hurled,
    which would press in fierce oppressing,
    turns to joy and richest blessing.
12. Christ has brought to you salvation,
    though the world brings harm and loss;
    he has laid your sure foundation,
    and has borne your guilt and cross.
    If you steadfast still remain,
    then the promise stands ordained;
    with the angels in their praising,
    you shall sing with voices raising.