Soul, what return has thy Creator

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Soul, what return has thy Creator

Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi; Author: Karl Friedrich Lochner
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

I. Soul, what Returns has thy Creator
For all he gives, and all thou hast?]
What is in all thy needy Nature,
That can delight his holy Breast?
The best of Off'rings he requires,
Is thy whole Heart with its Desires.

II. Give God his own, if thou'lt be giving:
Say, Lord, who best deserves my Heart?
Can Belsebub, who hates the living,
Or any Creature claim a Part?
No, God, to Thee I all assign,
My Body, Soul, and all that's mine.

III. Accept, O Lord, what thou requirest,
The first Fruits of my Heart; that Store
That Off'ring thou so much admirest,
And paidst, oh! paidst so dearly for.
To Thee, my God, I now resign
My Heart, to be for ever thine.

IV. Where can my Heart be best improved,
But with Thee, Lord, who gav'st me Breath?
Thee can I call my best Beloved,
For Thou hast lov'd me unto Death;
My Heart with Thine from hence shall be
One Heart to all Eternity.

Source: Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #131

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Translator: Johann Christian Jacobi

Jacobi, John Christian, a native of Germany, was born in 1670, and appointed Keeper of the Royal German Chapel, St. James's Palace, London, about 1708. He held that post for 42 years, and died Dec. 14, 1750. He was buried in the Church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. His publications included :— (1) A Collection of Divine Hymns, Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes and Thorough Bass. London: Printed and Sold by J. Young, in St. Paul’s Churchyard; . . . 1720. This edition contains 15 hymns. Two years later this collection, with a few changes in the text and much enlarged, was republished as (2) Psalmodia Germanica; or a Specimen of Divine Hymns. Translated from the High Dutch. Together with their Proper Tunes… Go to person page >

Author: Karl Friedrich Lochner

Born: April 2, 1634, Nürnberg, Germany. Died: February 25, 1697, Fürth, Bavaria. Buried: Fürth, Bavaria. A Lutheran pastor and scholar, Lochner earned his master’s degree, then became a professor. His father then encouraged him to return home, where he lectured in logic and metaphysics. A higher calling changed his life’s work. First he became a vicar at Wöhrd, then a vicar at Fürth under Pastor Schuster. In 1663, upon Schuster’s death, he succeeded as pastor, and held the office for 36 years. Lyrics: Was gibt du denn, o meine Seele Soul, What Return Has God, Thy Savior http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/l/o/c/lochner_kf.htm Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Soul, what return has thy Creator
German Title:	Was gibst du denn, O meine Seele
Author:	Karl Friedrich Lochner
Translator:	Johann Christian Jacobi
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain