"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me"

                    by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

                                  Text From:

                       THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1.  Jesus, Thy boundless love to me

        No thought can reach, no tongue declare;

        Unite my thankful heart to Thee

        And reign without a rival there.

        To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live;

        Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.



        2. Oh, grant that nothing in my soul

        May dwell but Thy pure love alone!

        Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,

        My Joy, my Treasure, and my Crown!

        All coldness from my heart remove;

        My every act, word, thought, be love.



        3. O Love, how cheering is Thy ray!

        All pain before Thy presence flies;

        Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away

        Where'er Thy healing beams arise.

        O Jesus, nothing may I see,

        Nothing desire or seek, but Thee!



        4. This love unwearied I pursue

        And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.

        Oh, may Thy love my hope renew,

        Burn in my soul like heavenly fire!

        And day and night be all my care

        To guard this sacred treasure there.



        5. Oh, draw me, Savior, e'er to Thee;

        So shall I run and never tire.

        With gracious words still comfort me;

        Be Thou my Hope, my sole Desire.

        Free me from every guilt and fear;

        No sin can harm if Thou art near.



        6. Still let Thy love point out my way;

        What wondrous things Thy love hath wrought!

        Still lead me lest I go astray;

        Direct my work, inspire my thought;

        And if I fall, soon may I hear

        Thy voice and know that love is near!



        7. In suffering be Thy love my peace,

        In weakness be Thy love my power;

        And when the storms of life shall cease,

        O Jesus, in that final hour,

        Be Thou my Rod and Staff and Guide

        And draw me safely to Thy side!



        


        Notes:

        Hymn #349 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_

        Text: John 14:15

        Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653, cento.

        Translated by: John Wesley, 1739, alt.

        Titled: "O Jesu Christ, mein schoenstes Lich"

        Tune: "Vater unser"

        1st Published in: _Geistliche Lieder_

        Town: Leipzig, 1539