Church Book ‎#408

408. Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower

1 Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower,
Thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown;
Thee will I love with all my power,
In all my works, and Thee alone:
Thee will I love, till the pure fire
Fill my whole soul with chaste desire.

2 I thank Thee, uncreated Sun,
That Thy bright beams on me have shined;
I thank Thee, who hast overthrown
My foes, and healed my wounded mind;
I thank Thee, whose enlivening voice
Bids my freed heart in Thee rejoice.

3 Uphold me in the doubtful race,
Nor suffer me again to stray;
Strengthen my feet, with steady pace
Still to press forward in Thy way;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

4 Thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown;
Thee will I love, my Lord, my God!
Thee will I love, beneath Thy frown
Or smile, Thy sceptre or Thy rod.
What though my flesh and heart decay?
Thee shall I love in endless day.

Text Information

• First Line: Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower
• German Title: Ich will Dich lieben
• Author: John Scheffler (1657)
• Translator: John Wesley (1739)
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Christian Life: Love to God and Christ; Sunday after New Year; Sundays in Lent; Fourth Sunday after Trinity; Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity; Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Tune Information

• Name: ICH WILL DICH LIEBEN
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Source from index: Pub. by J. B. König, Frankfurt a | M. 1738