A Pilgrim and a Stranger

Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) wrote “A Pilgrim and a Stranger,” related to Psalm 39:12. It was first published in 1666. Written in German by Gerhardt, several translations have been made into English, including those by Catherine Winkworth and John Kelly. The translation below is by Jane Borthwick, in 1858.

Paul Gerhardt was born in Gräfenhainichen on March 12, probably in 1607. He died May 27, 1676, and was buried in the vault at the church at Lübben, to which church he was called as preacher in 1668. He was Lutheran.

In The Lutheran Hymnal #586, the hymn is paired with Herzlich tut mich by Hans L. Hassler (1564-1612).

1. A pilgrim and a stranger,

I journey here below;

Far distant is my country,

The home to which I go.

Here I must toil and travail,

Oft weary and opprest;

But there my God shall lead me

To everlasting rest.

2. I’ve met with storms and danger

E’en from my early years,

With enemies and conflicts,

With fightings and with fears.

There’s nothing here that tempts me

To wish a longer stay,

So I must hasten forward,

No halting or delay.

3. It is a well-worn pathway;

A host has gone before,

The holy saints and prophets,

The patriarchs of yore.

They trod the toilsome journey

In patience and in faith;

And them I fain would follow,

Like them in life and death.

4. Who would share Abraham’s blessing

Must Abraham’s path pursue,

A stranger and a pilgrim,

Like him, must journey through.

The foes must be encountered,

The dangers must be passed;

A faithful soldier only

Receives the crown at last.

5. So I must hasten forward,—

Thank God, the end will come!

This land of passing shadows

Is not my destined home.

The everlasting city,

Jerusalem above,

This evermore abideth,

The home of light and love.

6. There still my thoughts are dwelling,

’Tis there I long to be;

Come, Lord, and call thy servant

To blessedness with thee.

Come, bid my toils be ended,

Let all my wanderings cease;

Call from the wayside lodging

To thy sweet home of peace.

7. There I shall dwell forever,

No more a parting guest,

With all thy blood-bought children

In everlasting rest,

The pilgrim toils forgotten,

The pilgrim conflicts o’er,

All earthly griefs behind me,

Eternal joys before.