Forty days and forty nights

This is my 5th entry in the Lenten-Hymn-of-the-Day Project. It is also for the First Sunday of Lent, when St. Mark tells us to "repent and believe the Gospel."

This tune, "Aus der tiefe" is a more "elaborate version" of a very similar tune named "Heinlein". It is found in the "Nürnbergisches Gesangbuch" of 1676, and the melody is possibly by M. Herbst (1654-1681). The wonderful text is by G. H. Smyttan (1822-1870) & Francis Pott (1832-1909).

One FULL verse of introduction.

Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild,
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted and yet undefiled.

Sunbeams scorching all the day,
Chilly dewdrops nightly shed.
Prowling beasts about thy way,
Stones thy pillow, earth thy bed.

Let us thine endurance share,
And awhile from joys abstain,
With thee watching unto prayer,
Strong with thee to suffer pain.

And if Satan, vexing sore,
Flesh or spirit should assail,
Thou, his vanquisher before,
Grant we may not faint or fail.

So shall we have peace divine,
Holier gladness ours shall be,
Round us too shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to thee.

Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by thy side,
That with thee we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.