Author: Karl Philipp Spitta (1801-1859) Composer: Jacob Balthasar Schütz (1661-1700)
1. Dearest Saviour, let me ever In Thy service here abide; Ne’er would I from Thee be severed, Walking daily by Thy side. By Thee is my life inspired: Thou art strength and light to me, As a branch that has acquired From the vine its energy.
2. Could I elsewhere find such treasure As Thou, Lord, with me hast shared, Such rich gifts of grace and pleasure Thousand-fold for me prepared? Could I find a consolation Such as Thou, O Lord, dost give, Who from earth and all the heavens Might and power dost receive?
3. Who could find me such a Master? Who, what Christ hath done, would do, Saved me from sin and disaster With His precious blood so true? Should not I be His true servant Who His life on Calv’ry gave, In devotion also fervent, Faithful unto death and grave?
4. Yea with Thee, Lord, I’ll continue As in pleasure, so in grief; And in daily consecration Unto Thee my life I give. For Thy summons I am ready, And Thy final call await; He can welcome death who daily All to Thee doth consecrate.
5. Lord, throughout my pilgrim journey, Let me find Thee by my side; And when evening shades are falling Do Thou still with me abide. And in holy benediction Lay on me Thy hand of love, Saying: Son, thy course is finished; But through faith thou’lt live above!
6. Stay Thou near me when the shadows Of chill death are drawing nigh, Like the frosty breath of morning Ere the dawn in rosy sky. When the darkness falls around me, Then illuminate my soul; As a traveler home returning May I reach my heav’nly goal.