Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book ‎#349

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

1 Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower,
Thee will I love, my Hope, my Joy,
Thee will I love with all my power,
With ardor time shall ne'er destroy.
Thee will I love, O light divine,
So long as life is mine!

2 Thee will I love, my Life, my Savior,
Who art my best and truest Friend;
Thee will I love and praise forever,
For never shall Thy kindness end;
Thee will I love with all my heart,
For Thou my Bridegroom art.

3 Alas! that I so late have known Thee,
Who art the Fairest and the Best;
Nor sooner for my Lord could own Thee,
Our highest Good, our only Rest!
Now bitter shame and grief I prove
O'er this my tardy love.

4 I wandered long in willing blindness,
I sought Thee, but I found Thee not,
For still I shunned Thy beams of kindness,
The creature-light filled all my thought.
And if at last I see Thee now,
'Twas Thou to me didst bow!

5 I thank Thee, Jesus, Sun from heaven,
Whose shining hath brought light to me;
I thank Thee, who hast richly given
All that could make me glad and free;
I thank Thee that my soul is healed
By what Thy lips revealed.

6 O keep me watchful, then, and humble,
And suffer me no more to stray;
Uphold me when my feet would stumble,
Nor let me loiter by the way;
Fill all my nature with Thy light,
O Radiance strong and bright!

7 O teach me, Lord, to love Thee truly
With soul and body, head and heart,
And grant me grace that I may duly
Practice fore'er love's sacred art;
Grant that my every thought may be
Directed e'er to Thee.

8 Thee will I love, my Crown of gladness,
Thee will I love, my God and Lord,
Amid the darkest depths of sadness,
Not for the hope of high reward,
For Thine own sake, O Light divine,
So long as life is mine.

Text Information

• First Line: Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower
• Meter: 9, 8, 9, 8, 8, 6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: Sanctification

Tune Information

(No tune information)