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Nur Du kennst meine Not und Pein, Nur Du kennst meine Schmerzen! Nur Du kennst meinen Gram allein, Du kennst den Wurm am Herzen! Drum wirst auch Du, Herr Jesu mein! Allein das Mittel finden; Und sollt es noch so herbe seyn, Ich werd' es überwinden! Von Sünd' fortan mich zu befrey'n, Das ist's wonach ich strebe. Und hilfst Du mir, dann wird's auch mein: Daß Jesus! Dir ich lebe! Wenn Du in mir die Flamme schürst, Dann kann ich nicht verderben! Wenn Du an Deiner Hand mich führst, Den Frieden werd' ich erben! Die Leiden die fortan du schickst, Als Freuden mir erscheinen! Die Dornen die in's Herz du drückst, Sie machen mich nicht weinen! Wenn um mein Kleid, mein Erdengut, Die Feinde würfelnd spielen Wenn's Herz am Kreuze dürsten thut, Dein Wasser wird es kühlen.
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Walther von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Vertrauen" [ voice and piano ], unpublished [sung text not yet checked]
Set in a modified version by Walther von Goethe.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Trust", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2026-01-28
Line count: 24
Word count: 137
Only Thou knowest my distress and agony, Only Thou knowest my pain! Only Thou alone knowest my misery, Thou knowest the worm [gnawing] at my heart! Therefore, my Lord Jesus! Thou Alone wilt find the cure; And though it be ever so bitter, I shall surmount it! To free myself from sin henceforth, It is that for which I strive. And if Thou helpest me, I shall attain it too: That, Jesus! I live for Thee! If Thou stokest the flame within me, Then I cannot perish! If Thou leadest me by Thy hand, Then I shall inherit peace! The sorrows that Thou sendest henceforward Shall appear as joys to me! The thorns that Thou pressest into my heart, They shall not make me weep! When the enemies throw a die Over my garment, my earthly possessions, When the heart thirsts upon the cross, Thy water shall assuage it!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist
This text was added to the website: 2026-01-28
Line count: 24
Word count: 149