Curious Christian

Been researching and reading and reflecting on Anabaptist spirituality. Seems the ancient Anabaptists wrote many hymns, though I am experiencing some difficulty in tracking down online translations. Have tracked down some of the Ausbund hymns though. Many of these hymns, understandably, focus on perseverance in the face of persecution. The following song is by Annelein of Freiburg, who was drowned and then burned in 1529.

1. Everlasting Father in heaven,
   I call on you so ardently,
   Do not let me turn from you.
   Keep me in your truth
   Until my final end.
2. O God, guard my heart and mouth,
   Lord watch over me at all times,
   Let nothing separate me from you
   Be it affliction, anxiety, or need,
   Keep me pure in joy.
3. My everlasting Lord and Father,
   Show and teach me,
   Poor unworthy child that I am,
   That I heed your path and way.
   In this lies my desire.
4. To walk through your power into death,
   Through sorrow, torture, fear and want.
   Sustain me in this,
   O God, so that I nevermore
   Be separated from your love.
5. Many travel along this road,
   The cup of suffering lies there,
   And also many untrue teachings
   Which try to turn us away
   From Christ our Lord
6. To you I raise up my soul, Lord,
   I depend on you in misfortune.
   Do not let me come to harm,
   That my enemy not stand over me
   On this earth
7. They have imprisoned me.
   I wait, O God, with all my heart,
   With very great longing,
   When finally you will awake
   And set your prisoners free.
8. O God, Father, make us like
   The five virgins of your kingdom,
   Who were prudently careful
   To wait for the bridegroom,
   With his chosen flock.
9. Eternal king of heaven,
   Feed us and quench our thirst
   In a spiritual way
   With your food of truth
   Which never perishes
10. If you withhold your food from us
    Everything is lost and useless
    Without you we bring forth nothing.
    Through grace we trust in you,
    It will not fail us.
11. I do not doubt God’s power.
    His judgments all are true.
    He will not abandon anyone
    Who stands firm in the faith,
    And stays on the true paths.
12. Be comforted you Christians and rejoice,
    Through Jesus Christ forevermore,
    Who gives us love and faith.
    God comforts us though his holy word,
    On that we should rely.
13. I entrust myself to God and his church.
    May he be my protector today,
    For the sake of his name.
    May this come to pass, Father mine,
    Through Jesus Christ, Amen.