725. O Jesus, I Have Promised

1 O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
be now and always near me,
my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.

2 O let me feel you near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle;
the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw still nearer
and shield my soul from sin.

3 O let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
true guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too.
And, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
now give me grace to follow,
my Master and my friend.

Text Information
First Line: O Jesus, I have promised
Title: O Jesus, I Have Promised
Author: John Ernest Bode (1866, alt.)
Meter: 7.6.7.6.D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2013
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Baptism; Commitment; Discipleship and Mission (4 more...)
Tune Information
Name: NYLAND
Adapter and Harmonizer: David Evans (1927)
Meter: 7.6.7.6.D
Key: E♭ Major
Source: Finnish folk melody
Copyright: Adapt. and Harm.© 1927 Oxford University Press
Notes: (alternate tune: ANGEL’S STORY, 724)


Text Information:

This hymn written by an Anglican clergyman for the confirmation of his children in Victorian times appears here in updated language that may help to make its challenging commitments more immediate. The tune is named for the province in Finland from which it comes.


Media
Audio recording: Audio (MP3)
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

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