306. Thou Hidden Love of God

1 Thou hidden Love of God, whose height,
whose depth unfathomed, no man knows,
I see from far Thy beauteous light,
and inly sigh for Thy repose;
my heart is pained, nor can it be
at rest till it finds rest in Thee.

2 'Tis mercy all that Thou hast brought
my mind to seek its peace in Thee;
yet while I seek, but find Thee not,
no peace my wand'ring soul shall see.
O when shall all my wand'rings end,
and all my steps to Thee-ward tend?

3 Is there a thing beneath the sun
that strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah! tear it thence, and reign alone,
the Lord of ev'ry motion there;
then shall my heart from earth be free,
when it has found repose in Thee.

4 O hide this self from me, that I
no more, but Christ in me, may live;
my vile affections crucify,
nor let one darling lust survive;
in all things nothing may I see,
nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.

5 O Love, Thy sov'reign aid impart
to save me from low-thoughted care;
chase this self-will from all my heart,
from all its hidden mazes there;
make me Thy duteous child, that I
may ceaseless "Abba, Father," cry.

6 Each moment draw from earth away
my heart, that lowly waits Thy call;
speak to my inmost soul, and say
"I am Thy Love, Thy God, Thy all."
To feel Thy pow'r, to hear Thy voice,
to taste Thy love, be all my choice!

Text Information
First Line: Thou hidden Love of God, whose height
Title: Thou Hidden Love of God
Author: Gerhard Tersteegen (1729)
Translator: John Wesley (1739)
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
Language: English
Publication Date: 2017
Topic: Comfort, Death, and Glory
Tune Information
Name: VATER UNSER
Composer (attributed to): Martin Luther
Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1726)
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
Key: c minor
Source: Geistlich Lieder, 1539
Notes: Alternate harmonization: no. 14



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us