Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
by Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676)
Representative text
As printed in The Church Hymnal (1941), no. 146 — the newest hymnal carrying it.
Verse 1
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach, no tongue declare; O knit my thankful heart to Thee, And reign without a rival there; Thine wholly, Thine alone I am; Lord, with Thy love my heart inflame.
Verse 2
O, 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.
Verse 3
O love, how cheering is thy ray! All pain before thy presence flies; Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away Wherev'er Thy healing beams arise; O Jesus, nothing may I see — Nothing desire or seek, but Thee.
Verse 4
In suffering be Thy love my peace, In weakness be Thy love my power; And when the storms of life shall cease, Jesus, in that important hour, In death, as life, be Thou my guide, And save me, who for me hast died.