Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me - #349 - Gerhardt

 John Wesley "was so taken by the hymn that he translated all 16 stanzas into English, and even mentioned it in his final sermon before leaving Georgia." He especially liked stanza #2 posted above.

"Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me"

by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

Tune - Vater unser - linked here.

1. Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
Unite my thankful heart to Thee
And reign without a rival there.
To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live;
Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

2. Oh, grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell but Thy pure love alone!
Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,
My Joy, my Treasure, and my Crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
My every act, word, thought, be love.

3. O Love, how cheering is Thy ray!
All pain before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire or seek, but Thee!

4. This love unwearied I pursue
And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.
Oh, may Thy love my hope renew,
Burn in my soul like heavenly fire!
And day and night be all my care
To guard this sacred treasure there.

5. Oh, draw me, Savior, e'er to Thee;
So shall I run and never tire.
With gracious words still comfort me;
Be Thou my Hope, my sole Desire.
Free me from every guilt and fear;
No sin can harm if Thou art near.

6. Still let Thy love point out my way;
What wondrous things Thy love hath wrought!
Still lead me lest I go astray;
Direct my work, inspire my thought;
And if I fall, soon may I hear
Thy voice and know that love is near!

7. In suffering be Thy love my peace,
In weakness be Thy love my power;
And when the storms of life shall cease,
O Jesus, in that final hour,
Be Thou my Rod and Staff and Guide
And draw me safely to Thy side!

Hymn #349
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 14:15
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653, cento.
Translated by: John Wesley, 1739, alt.
Titled: "O Jesu Christ, mein schoenstes Lich"
Tune: "Vater unser"
1st Published in: Geistliche Lieder
Town: Leipzig, 1539






Sung to St. Catharine -