Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America ‎#505

505. Thee will I love, my strength, my tower

1 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.

2 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.

3 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,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.

4 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 sceptre or thy rod.
What though my flesh and heart decay?
Thee shall I love in endless day.

Text Information

• First Line: Thee will I love, my strength, my tower
• Translator: John Wesley, 1703 - 91
• Author: Johann Scheffler, 1624 - 77
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1958
• Topic: The Church: Worship - In The Presence; Confirmation; The Life in Christ: Aspiration; The Life In Christ: Consecration

Tune Information

• Name: ICH WILL DICH LIEBEN
• Meter: 8 8, 8 8, 8 8.
• Key: D Major
• Source: J. B. Konig's Choralbuch, 1738