DO I love Thee Who for me died?
Ah! Saviour at Thy pierced side
My heart shall answer Thee:
As searched by Thine all-seeing eye,
Its inmost thoughts there open lie
In nude simplicity.
Thou knowest all things, and my love
For Thee, blest Lord, all lords above,
Though feeble, yet is true:
To love Thee, Lord, how can I fail?
My hope, my joy in this dark vale,
So sombre with death’s hue.
Thine agony my peace secured,
God’s wrath for me Thou hast endured,
My sins were laid on Thee:
And yet my wayward heart has quailed,
Distrust o’er faith almost prevailed
When trouble tested me.
My failure, Lord, has been confessed
When pillowed on Thy loving breast,
Drawn thither by Thy voice:
Not to rebuke, ah! no, my Lord,
Restoring grace Thou didst afford,
Which made my soul rejoice.
Yet changeless is Thy love for me:
An ocean boundless, full, and free,
Whose tide no ebb can know:
It passeth knowledge, yet its power
Is that which cheers each fleeting hour
Whilst wait I here below.
These hours of hope speed on their way,
Each nearer brings that longed for day
When I shall dwell above!
Till then, my Lord, each thought subdue
Which veils Thy changeless love from view,
That I may dwell in love!
U. U.