God's ways are strange; He chastens those
He loves and gives them more of pain
Than joy—and bids their hearts refrain
From hatred of their darkest foes.

Yet we of earth would not impose
On those we love a galling chain—
God's ways are strange.

And I have wondered that He chose
Such trying means with which to gain
A lasting good; but why complain
Of thorns? Enough to have the rose—
God's ways are strange.

God's ways are strange; He chastens those
He loves and gives them more of pain
Than joy—and bids their hearts refrain
From hatred of their darkest foes.

Yet we of earth would not impose
On those we love a galling chain—
God's ways are strange.

And I have wondered that He chose
Such trying means with which to gain
A lasting good; but why complain
Of thorns? Enough to have the rose—
God's ways are strange.