Author: Johann Heinrich Schröder, 1697 (1666-1699) Composer: Adam Krieger, 1657 (1634-1666)
1. One thing’s needful! Then, Lord Jesus, Keep this one thing in my mind; All besides, though first it please us, Soon a grievous yoke we find, Beneath which the heart is still fretting and striving, No true, lasting happiness ever deriving; The gain of this one thing all loss can requite, And teach me in all things to find true delight.
2. Wilt thou find this one thing needful? Seek not ’mid created things; What is earthly leave behind thee; Over nature stretch thy wings. For where God and man both in one are united, With God’s perfect fulness the heart is delighted; There, there is the worthiest portion and best, My One and my All and my joy and my rest.
3. Thus my longings, heav’nward tending, Jesus, rest alone on Thee; Help me, thus on Thee depending; Saviour, come and dwell with me! Although all the world should forsake and forget Thee, In love I will follow Thee, never to quit Thee, Lord Jesus, both spirit and life is Thy word. Where is there a joy which Thou dost not afford?
4. Wisdom’s highest, noblest treasure, Jesus, is concealed in Thee! Grant that this may still the measure Of my will and action be. Humility there and simplicity reigneth And heavenly knowledge and wisdom obtaineth; O, if I of Christ have this knowledge divine, The fulness of heavenly wisdom is mine.