Scripture Verse

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Introduction

portrait
Paul Gerhardt
1607–1676

Words: Pos­si­bly by Ber­nard of Clair­vaux (1091–1153). Ap­peared in his Op­e­ra Om­nia (Pa­ris, 1609) (Sal­ve mun­di sal­u­ta­re). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Ger­man by Paul Ger­hardt in Prax­is Pi­eta­tis Me­li­ca, fifth edi­tion, by Jo­hann Crü­ger (Ber­lin, 1653), num­ber 496 (Sei mir tau­send­mal ger­grüss­et). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ar­thur T. Rus­sell, Psalms and Hymns (Cam­bridge, Eng­land: John Deigh­ton, 1851), num­ber 95.

Music: Zi­on klagt Jo­hann H. Schein, 1623 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Bernard of Clairvaux
1090–1153

Lyrics

Ever by my love be ownèd,
Jesu! who hast lovèd me,
And hast for my sin atonèd,
Sin wherewith I grievèd Thee;
Ah! how well is it with me
Whensoe’er I bow my knee
At the cross where Thou expiredst,
And true life for me acquiredst.

Heal my soul, Thou my salvation!
Heal my weakness; heal my grief:
Take away my tribulation;
Be to all my ills relief:
Ills the Fall on me hath brought,
Ills I for myself have wrought:
Let Thy blood be my heart bedewing,
Ever be my peace renewing.

Be Thy bleeding wounds impressèd
Evermore upon my heart;
Thus may every hour be blessèd,
Nor my thoughts from Thee depart.
Thou my treasure art most blest;
All my heart in Thee shall rest:
Be Thy love on me descending,
At Thy feet, O Jesu! bending.