Thou Holiest Love, whom most I love

Thou Holiest Love, whom most I love,
Who art my longed-for only bliss,
Whom tenderest pity erst did move
To fathom woe and death's abyss
Who once didst suffer for my good,
And die my guilty debts to pay,
Thou Lamb of God, whose precious blood
Can take a world's misdeeds away;

Thou Love, who didst such anguish bear
Upon the Mount of agony,
And yet with ceaseless watchful care
Dost yearn o'er us so tenderly;
Thou camest not Thy will to seek,
But all Thy Father's will obey,
Bearing the cross in patience meek,
That Thou might'st take our curse away.

O Love, who with unflinching heart
Enduredst all disgrace and shame;
O Love, who mid the keenest smart
Of dying pangs wert still the same;
Who didst Thy changeless virtue prove
E'en with Thy latest parting breath,
And spakest words of gentlest love
When soul and body sank in death;

O Love, through sorrows manifold
Hast Thou betrothed me as a bride,
By ceaseless gifts, by love untold,
Hast bound me ever to Thy side;
Oh let the weary ache, the smart,
Of life's long tale of pain and loss,
Be gently stilled within my heart
At thought of Thee, and of Thy cross!

O Love, who dying thus for me,
Hast won me an eternal good
Through sorest anguish on the tree,
I ever think upon Thy blood;
I ever thank Thy sacred wounds,
Thou wounded Love, Thou Holiest,
But most when life is near its bounds,
And in Thy bosom safe I rest.

O Love, who unto death hast grieved
For this cold heart, unworthy Thine,
Whom once the chill dark grave received,
I thank Thee for that grief divine;
I give Thee thanks that Thou didst die
To win eternal life for me,
To bring salvation from on high;
Oh draw me up through love to Thee!

Source: Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year #35