Thanks to God

August Ludvig Storm, though born in Motala, lived most of his life in Stockholm, Sweden. In a Salvation Army meeting, as a young man, Mr. Storm found redemption in the blood of Christ. From this point, he would dedicate his life in service to the Master through the work of the Salvation Army. These stanzas, originally penned in his native tongue (as well as one additional that was not translated), were intended for the Swedish Stridsropet (The War Cry) in December of 1891. Originally, it contained references thirty-two times to tack (translated “thanks”) in the four Swedish stanzas. The last fifteen years of Mr. Storm’s faithful service he endured with a crippled frame, having suffered a back injury at thirty-seven years of age. At his passing, a biographer for The War Cry remembered him thus: “It was a delight to listen to his powerful, thoughtful, and well-articulated sermons. And the numerous verses that flowed from his pen are the best that have ever appeared in the Army’s publications.”


Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and dreary fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

 

Thanks for prayers that thou hast answered,

Thanks for what thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!


Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and  thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks throughout eternity!