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 chaste
desire.
Ah,
why did I so
late Thee know,
Thee, lovelier
than the sons of
men!
Ah, why did I no
sooner go
To Thee, the
only ease in
pain!
Ashamed, I sigh,
and inly mourn,
That I so late
to Thee did
turn.
In darkness
willingly I
strayed,
I sought Thee,
yet from Thee I
roved;
Far wide my
wandering
thoughts were
spread,
Thy creatures
more than Thee I
loved;
And now if more
at length I see,
�Tis through Thy
light and comes
from Thee.
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;
My soul and
flesh, O Lord of
might,
Fill, satiate,
with Thy
heavenly light.
Give to mine
eyes refreshing
tears,
Give to my heart
chaste, hallowed
fires,
Give to my soul,
with filial
fears,
The love that
all Heaven�s
host inspires;
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!