Author: Karl Philipp Spitta (1801-1859) Composer: Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876)
1. O, blessed Sun, whose splendor Dispels the shades of night; O, Jesus, my Defender, My soul’s supreme delight; All day I hear resounding A voice with silver tone, Which speaks of grace abounding Through God’s eternal Son!
2. A deep and heav’nly feeling Oft seizes on my breast; Ah, here is balm for healing; Here only is true rest! Though fortune should bereave me Of all that I possess, If Christ His love still leave me, I freely give the rest.
3. To win this precious treasure And matchless pearl I would Give honor, wealth, and pleasure, Yea, ev’ry earthly good; I gladly would surrender The dearest thing which might Obscure my Sun’s bright splendor, And rob me of His light.
4. I know no life divided, O Lord of Life, from Thee; In Thee is life provided For all mankind and me; I know no death, O Jesus, Because I live in Thee; Thy death it is which frees us From death eternally.
5. I fear no tribulation, Since, whatsoe’er it be, Can make no separation, Between my Lord and me; If Thou, my God and teacher, Vouchsafe to be my own, Though poor, I shall be richer Than monarch on his throne.
6. If, while on earth I wander, My heart is light and blest, Ah! what shall I be yonder, In perfect peace and rest? O, blessed thought! In dying We go to meet the Lord, Where there shall be no sighing, A kingdom our reward.
7. Lord, with this truth impress me And write it on my heart, To comfort, cheer and bless me, That Thou my Saviour art; Without Thy love to guide me, I should be wholly lost; The floods would quickly hide me, On life’s wide ocean tossed.
8. Thy love it was which sought me; Thou wast unsought by me. And to the haven brought me, Where I would gladly be; The things which once distressed me My heart no longer move, Since this sweet truth impressed me That I possess Thy love.