Catherine Winkworth (trans.) · 79 of 126

4. O Jesus, Lord of majesty!

Penitence

IV. The Weakness and Restlessness of Sin.

O Jesus, Lord of majesty! O glorious King, eternal Son! In mercy bend Thou down to me, As now I cast me at Thy throne.

Enslaved to vanity, and weak, An alien power in me hath sway, My strength is gone, howe'er I seek I cannot break my bonds away.

How oft my heart against my will Is torn and tossing to and fro, I cannot, as I would, fulfill The good that yet I love and know.

How many ties oppress and bind The soul that yearneth to be free; Distracted, vanquish'd, oft the mind That fain would rest at peace in Thee.

I practice me in self-controul, Yet rest and calm in vain pursue Self-will is rooted in my soul, And thwarts me still, whate'er I do.

I hate it, but its life is strong, I fear, yet cannot it forsake; Ah Lord, how long it seems, how long, Until Thy grace my yoke shall break!

Ah Jesus, when, when, wilt Thou lead The prisoner from this drear abode? When shall I feel that I am freed, And Thou art with me, Son of God?

Oh take this heart, that I would give For ever to be all Thine own; I to myself no more would live; Come, Lord, be Thou my King alone.

Yes, take my heart, and in it rule, Direct it as it pleases Thee; I will be silent in Thy school, And learn whate'er Thou teachest me.

What lives by life that is not Thine, I yield it to Thy righteous doom; What yet resists Thy power Divine, Oh let Thy fire of love consume.

And then within the heart abide That Thou halt cleansed to be Thy throne; A look from Thee shall be my guide, I watch but till Thy will is known.

Yes, make me Thine,--though I am weak, Thy service makes us strong and free; My Lord and King, Thy face I seek, For ever keep me true to Thee.

O Jesu König hoch zu ehren