Thee will I love, my strength, my tower

Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower,
thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown,
thee will I love with all my power,
in all thy works, and thee alone;
thee will I love, till the pure fire
fill my whole soul with pure desire.

I thank thee, uncreated Sun,
that thy bright beams on me have shined;
I thank thee, who hast overthrown
my foes, and healed my wounded mind;
I thank thee, whose enlivening voice
bids my freed heart in thee rejoice.

Uphold me in the doubtful race,
nor suffer me again to stray;
strengthen my feet with steady pace
still to press forward in thy way;
that all my powers, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.

Thee will I love, my Joy, my Crown,
thee will I love, my Lord, my God;
thee will I love, beneath thy frown,
or smile, thy scepter, or thy rod;
what though my flesh and heart decay?
thee shall I love in endless day!

Words: Johann Scheffler, 1657;
trans. John Wesley, 1739

Music: Surrey (Carey)

Meter: 88 88 88

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.