From NANAK AND THE SIKHS E. INDIAN, C. 1469 A.D. How shall I address Thee, O God? how shall I praise Thee? how shall I describe Thee? and how shall I know Thee? Saith Nanak, everybody speaketh of Thee, one wiser than the other. Great is the Lord, great is His name; (it is only) what He doeth that cometh to pass. Nanak, he who is spiritually proud shall not be honoured on his arrival in the next world. Praisers praise God, but have not acquired a knowledge of Him, As rivers and streams fall into the sea, but know not (its extent). Kings and emperors who possess oceans and mountains of property and wealth Are not equal to the worm which forgetteth not God in its heart. Make contentment thine earrings, modesty and self-respect thy wallet, meditation the ashes (to smear on thy body). Make thy body, which is only a morsel for death, thy beggar's coat, and faith thy rule of life and thy staff. Make association with all thine Ai Panth, and the conquest of thy heart the conquest of the world. Hail! Hail to Him, The primal, the pure, without beginning, the indestructible, the same in every age! One Maya in union (with) God gave birth to three acceptable children. 1 One of them is the creator, the second the provider, the third performeth the function of destroyer. As it pleaseth God, He directeth them by His orders. He beholdeth them, but is not seen by them. This is very marvellous. Hail! Hail to Him, The primal, the pure, without beginning, the indestructible, the same in every age! Make continence thy furnace, forbearance thy goldsmith, In such a true mint the Word shall be coined. This is the practice of those on whom God looketh with an eye of favor. Nanak, the Kind One, by a glance maketh them happy. The air is the Guru, water our father, and the great earth our mother; Day and night are our two nurses, male and female, who set the whole world a-playing. Merits and demerits shall be read out in the presence of the judge. According to men's acts, some shall be near and others distant (from God). Those who have pondered on the Name and departed after the completion of their toil, Shall have their countenances made bright, O Nanak; how many shall be emancipated in company with them! C. REFORMATION PERIOD HYMN MARTIN LUTHER, 1521 Translated by Frederick Hedge A mighty fortress is our God Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe, Did we in our own strength confide, And though this world, with devils filled, We will not fear for God hath willed One little word shall fell him. The spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth. His kingdom is forever. HYMN ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, 1550 My God, I love thee, not because Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace; And griefs and torments numberless; E'en death itself, and all for one Then why, O blessed Jesu Christ! Not for the sake of winning heaven, Not with the hope of gaining aught; Not seeking a reward; Oh, ever-loving Lord! E'en so I love thee, and will love And in thy praise will sing; Solely because thou art my God, SALUTATION TO JESUS CHRIST JOHN CALVIN, 1560 I greet thee, my Redeemer sure, I trust in none but thee, Thou who hast borne such toil and shame And suffering for me: Our hearts from cares and cravings vain And foolish fears set free. Thou art the King compassionate, Thou art the life by which we live; What time soe'er it be, That we may meet it with strong heart, And may die peacefully. The true and perfect gentleness Make us to know thy loveliness, Teach us to love thee known; Grant us sweet fellowship with thee, And all who are thine own. Our hope is in none else but thee; |