O Jesus, Blessed Jesus!

1 O Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Who art the children’s friend,
Hear Thou our grateful praises,
While at Thy feet we bend;
As Thou has deigned to welcome—
As Thou has deigned to bless
The little ones who love Thee—
Around Thee now we press.

2 Bless even us, dear Jesus!
For O we long to know
The peace, the joy and gladness,
Thou only canst bestow.
To know Thee, and to love Thee,
Be this our early choice,
That all along life’s journey
In Thee we may rejoice.

3 We love Thy name, dear Jesus,
No other name is giv’n
That is to us so precious,
That is to dear to Heav’n;
It tells us of a Savior,
It tells us of a friend,
Who will with loving favor
To all our wants attend.

4 O guide us, blessèd Jesus!
Amid the snares of youth,
For well we know the proneness
To leave the path of truth.
May Thy kind arms enfold us
So near Thy loving heart,
That, sheltered and defended,
We never more may part.

5 We look to Thee, dear Jesus!
Our hope is stayed on Thee;
O make us now, and keep us
Thine own eternally.
And, when no more Thy children
Shall sing Thy praises here,
May parents, teachers, scholars,
Meet in yon heav’nly sphere!

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #8503