1.

This world has burdens many,
Which are not by the Lord ordained.
Among God’s flock are plenty
Of shepherds who’ve God’s Word disdained.
Away from faith and into
Sin’s snare they blindly guide.
They claim they have no sin to
Be put to death inside.
And yet we know God’s judgments
Bring cleansing, make us pure.
God’s kingdom comes by battle;
We must fight and endure.

2.

So strive to take God’s kingdom;
Press on with violence—don’t relent!
Do not stray from the pathway;
This is a blood-wrought covenant.
The way was made by Jesus
Into the Holiest.
The natural man can’t see this—
Yet here there’s peace and rest.
Cast other burdens from you,
By faith Christ’s yoke to bear.
His burden bind upon you;
True rest and peace find there.

3.

He went out from the city;
No rest He in the camp received.
They scorned Him without pity;
The True One they would not believe.
Religious leaders viewed Him
As one who had transgressed.
They hated and pursued Him.
He captives freed and blest.
O will you follow Jesus—
Despised upon this way—
Or hide the truth that frees us
And ’neath the law’s curse stay?

4.

All those who’ve rightly striven,
Who go truth’s way and pay the price,
To them God’s pow’r is given
To be a total sacrifice.
The kingdom that’s unending
Will be your true reward
For faithfully contending—
An off’ring for the Lord.
Your prize in heav’n forever
Is not revealed on earth.
By multitudes you’ll never
Be reckoned to have worth.

Written in 1915 by Ole Skiaker (published in 1916)Composed by Ludvig M. LindemannText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ D