1 One thing needful! This one treasure
Teach me, Savior, to esteem;
Other things may promise pleasure,
But are never what they seem;
They prove to be burdens that vex us and chafe us,
And true lasting happiness never vouchsafe us;
This one precious treasure, that all else exceeds,
Gives joy above measure and fills all my needs.
2 Seekest thou the one thing needful,
Leave all cares that hind'ring prove;
Be of earthly joys unheedful,
Fix thy heart on things above;
For where God and man both in one are united,
With God's perfect fullness the heart is delighted;
There, there is the worthiest lot and the best,
My one and my all, and my joy, and my rest.
3 Then with Mary's full surrender,
I would offer Thee my heart,
At Thy feet my tribute render,
As my chosen better part.
For Mary's heart burning with fervent emotion,
Was quickened to serve Thee with perfect devotion;
And there filled with love for her Savior and Lord,
Was, with the One needful, in blessed accord.
4 Thus, I Jesus, my endeavor
Is to be forever Thine.
Let no mortal love whatever
Hind'ring now my heart entwine.
Though great be the host that refuses to need Thee,
I'll faithfull follow where'er Thou wilt lead me;
For Thy Word is Spirit and life to my soul,
And through it, O Jesus, my conduct control.
5 Wisdom's fountain ever-flowing
Has its highest source in Thee.
By Thy grace confine my going
In Thy footseteps, trod for me;
In which I with lowly and perfect submission
May bend to Thy wisdom my will and ambition;
And when, O my Savior, I know Thee aright
I then shall have risen to wisdom's great height.
6 I have naught, my God, to offer,
Save the blood of Thy dear Son;
Graciously accept the proffer:
Make His righteousness mine own.
His holy life gave He, was crucified for me;
His righteousness perfect He now pleads before Thee;
His own robe of righteousness, my highest good,
Shall clothe me in glory, through faith in His blood.l
7 In Thine image then awaking,
May my soul be all Thine own;
Of Thy holy life partaking,
Sanctified to Thee alone.
For all that I need here, to serve and obery Thee,
In Thee I receive--and my Savior, I pray Thee:
From things transitory, absorbing my love,
Withdraw mine affections, and fix them above.
8 Jesus, in Thy cross are centered
All the marvels of Thy grace;
Thou, my Savior, once hast entered
Through Thy blood the holy place:
Thy sacrifice holy there wrought my redemption,
From Satan's dominion I now have excemption;
The way is now free to the Father's high throne,
Where I may approach Him, In Thy name alone.
9 Joys unnumbered, peace and blessing,
Are the comforts full and free,
Richly now I am possessing,
For my Savior shepherds me.
How sweet the communion, beyond all expression,
To have Thee, O Jesus, as my hearts' possession.
O nothing in me can such ardor unfold
As when I Thee, Savior, in faith shall behold.
10 Henceforth Thou alone, my Savior,
Shalt be all in all to me.
Search my heart and my behavior,
Cast out all hypocrisy.
Restrain me from wand'ring in pathways unholy,
And throughout life's pilgrimage keep my heart lowly;
I'll value but lightly earth's treausre and store:
Thou art the One needful, and mine evermore!
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #182
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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