You count how often a Christian weeps and what his sorrow is; no tear, however small, but you gather and keep it by.

— Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676), Kirchenlieddichter

Related Bible passage: PSA.56.8

Topics: Grief & Comfort, Suffering & the Question of God

Occasions: Comfort

Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) war ein deutscher lutherischer Theologe und Pfarrer in Mittenwalde, Berlin sowie Lübben. Er prägte mit Liedern wie „Befiehl du deine Wege“ das geistliche Gesangsgut, verlor jedoch 1667 im Berliner Kirchenstreit sein Amt, da er sich aus Bekenntnisgründen weigerte, das kurfürstliche Toleranzedikt gegenüber den Reformierten zu unterschreiben. Heute bieten seine Dichtungen Bibellesern eine seelsorgliche Sprache des Gottvertrauens inmitten existentieller Krisen und Leiderfahrungen.

All quotes by Paul Gerhardt (149)

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Ultimately mourning means facing what wounds us in the presence of One who can heal.

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A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains… Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot block a man’s pathway for even a moment. The shadow of a dog can’t bite; the shadow of a sword can’t kill.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The bells sound, they sound quite differently than usual, when one knows of a dead person whom one loves.

Martin Luther

No greater sorrow than to recall a time of happiness in misery.

Dante Alighieri

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.

Helen Keller

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

Helen Keller

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