Great High-priest, who deign'dst to be

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Great High Priest, who deigndst to be

Author: Angelus Silesius (1657); Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Tune: VERDUN (Lutzen)
Published in 11 hymnals

Representative Text

Great High-priest, who deign'dst to be
Once the sacrifice for me,
Take this living heart of mine,
Lay it on Thy holy shrine.

Love I know accepteth nought,
Save what Thou, O Love, hast wrought;
Offer Thou my sacrifice,
Else to God it cannot rise.

Slay in me the wayward will,
Earthly sense and passion kill,
Tear self-love from out my heart,
Though it cost me bitter smart.

Kindle, Mighty Love, the pyre,
Quick consume me in Thy fire,
Fain were I of self bereft,
Nought but Thee within me left.

So may God, the Righteous, brook
On my sacrifice to look,
In whose sight no gift has worth
Save a Christ-like life on earth.

Source: Chorale Book for England, The #129

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Author: Angelus Silesius

Pen name of Johann Scheffler… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Great High Priest, who deigndst to be
Title:	Great High-priest, who deign'dst to be
German Title:	Höchster Priester, der du dich
Author:	Angelus Silesius (1657)
Translator:	Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Meter:	7.7.7.7
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain