Scripture Verse

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Introduction

Words: Jo­han Hjer­tén, 1816; trans­la­tor un­known. Ap­peared in The Hym­nal and Or­der of Ser­vice (Rock Is­land, Il­li­nois: Au­gus­ta­na Book Con­cern, 1925), num­ber 475.

Music: Freu dich sehr in Trente Quatre Pseaumes de Dav­id (Ge­ne­va, Swit­zer­land: 1551). Har­mo­ny by Jo­hann S. Bach (1685–1750) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Hjer­tén (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Johann S. Bach (1685–1750)

Lyrics

Jesus, in my walk and living,
Let me ever follow Thine;
Bearer of the cross, O teach me
Patiently to take up mine.
If by fellow men despised,
Make me like to Thee, O Christ,
O’er their sins and errors grieving,
And all injuries forgiving.

Let Thy precepts be my guidance,
Shining on my gloomy way;
Holding to Thy blest example,
Who can err or go as­tray?
Thou who fully didst fulfill
For our sake Thy Fa­ther’s will,
Help me so to live that ne­ver
Aught from Thee my soul shall sever.

In my joys and in my sorrows,
Teach Thou me that perfect faith
Which, in trustful prayer persistent,
Wavers not in life or death.
My will unto Thine I yield;
With Thy Word and Spi­rit filled,
Let my life to Thee be given:
Service here, and praise in Hea­ven.

For my task, O Lord, equip me
From Thy store of rich supply,
That the world and all its evil
I may in Thy strength defy.
Willing, yet in body weak,
I Thy safe protection seek;
Perfect strength in weakness give me,
In Thy saving arms receive me.