Ancient and Modern ‎#687

687. Jesu, priceless treasure

1 Jesu, priceless treasure,
source of purest pleasure,
truest friend to me;
ah! how long in anguish
shall my spirit languish
yearning, Lord, for thee?
Thine I am,
O spotless Lamb,
I will suffer
naught to hide thee,
naught I ask beside thee.

2 In thine arms I rest me,
foes who would molest me
cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
every heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear;
lightnings flash
and thunders crash;
yet, though sin
and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

3 Satan, I defy thee;
death, I now decry thee;
fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
nor thy threats alarm me
while I sing of peace.
God's great power
guards every hour;
earth and all
its depths adore him,
silent bow before him.

4 Hence with earthly treasure!
Thou art all my pleasure,
Jesus, all my choice.
Hence, thou empty glory!
naught to me thy story,
told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss,
or shame or cross,
shall not from
my Saviour move me,
since he deigns to love me.

5 Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in;
they who love the Father,
though the storms may gather,
still have peace within;
yea, whate'er
I here must bear,
thou art still
my purest pleasure,
Jesu, priceless treasure!

Text Information

• First Line: Jesu, priceless treasure
• German Title: Jesu meine Freude
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) (alt.)
• Author: Johann Franck (1618-1677)
• Meter: 665 665 786
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Matthew 13:44-46
  ;
  Philippians 3:7-10
  ;
  1 Peter 1:19-21
• Topic: Despair and Trouble; Devotion; Fear; God: peace of; God: Protection of; Jesus: Names and images for; Longing; Proper 12: Year A; Trust and Confidence

Tune Information

• Name: JESU MEINE FREUDE
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• Composer: Johann Crüger (1598-1662)
• Meter: 665 665 786
• Key: c minor