Words: , cen­to (Es ist noch eine Ruh vor­hand­en); com­po­site trans­la­tion from German to English.

The hymn was writ­ten in 1731 or 1732, while Kunth was jour­ney­ing with his pa­tron, Count Erd­man Hein­rich von Henk­el, who was on his way to take pos­ses­sion of some pro­per­ty in Si­le­sia. On the way the car­riage broke down, and this de­lay gave the Count oc­ca­sion to mur­mur at the cease­less un­rest of this life. Kunth, re­mind­ing him of the be­liev­er’s ev­er­last­ing rest, stepped aside a mo­ment and then re­turned with this hymn. Koch adds that it com­fort­ed the dy­ing hours of Hein­rich Möwes, be­ing read to him by his wife in his last mo­ments on earth.

Music: Wie Wohl Ist Mir, Geist­reich­es Ge­sang­buch (Halle, Germany: 1704).


A rest remaineth for the weary;
Arise, sad heart, and grieve no more;
Though long the way, and dark and dreary,
It endeth on the golden shore.
Before His throne the Lamb will lead thee,
On heav’nly pastures He will feed thee,
Cast off thy burden, come with haste;
Soon will the toil and strife be ended,
The weary way which thou hast wended.
Sweet is the rest which thou shalt taste.

The Father’s house has many a dwelling,
And there will be a place for thee.
With perfect love His heart is welling
Who loved thee from eternity.
His precious blood the Lamb hath given
That thou might’st share the joys of Heaven,
And now He calleth far and near:
“Ye weary souls, cease your repining,
Come while for you My light is shining;
Come, sweetest rest awaits you here!”

O come, come all, ye weak and weary,
Ye souls bowed down with many a care;
Arise and leave your dungeons dreary
And listen to His promise fair:
“Ye bore your burdens meek and lowly,
I will fulfill My pledge most holy,
I’ll be your solace and your rest.
Ye are Mine own, I will requite you;
Though sin and Satan seek to smite you,
Rejoice! Your home is with the blest.”

There rest and peace in endless measure
Shall be ours through eternity;
No grief, no care, shall mar our pleasure,
And untold bliss our lot shall be.
Oh, had we wings to hasten yonder—
No more o’er earthly ills to ponder—
To join the glad, triumphant band!
Make haste, my soul, forget all sadness;
For peace awaits thee, joy and gladness—
The perfect rest is nigh at hand.