6,6,5,6,6,5,7,8,6

Jesu meine Freude

[203]Johann Franck

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

Jesu, priceless treasure,

Source of purest pleasure,

Truest friend to me!

Long my heart hath panted,

Till it well-nigh fainted,

Thirsting after Thee!

Thine I am, O spotless Lamb!

I will suffer nought to hide Thee,

Ask for nought beside Thee.

In Thine arm I rest me,

Foes who would molest me

Cannot reach me here;

Though the earth be shaking,

Every heart be quaking,

Jesus calms my fear;

Sin and hell in conflict fell

With their heaviest storms assail me,

Jesus will not fail me.

Satan, I defy thee;

Death, I need not fly thee;

Fear, I bid thee cease!

Rage, O world, thy noises

Cannot drown our voices

Singing still of peace;

For God's power guards every hour,

Earth and all the depths adore Him,

Silent bow before Him.

Wealth, I will not heed thee,

Wherefore should I need thee,

Jesus is my joy!

Honours, ye may glisten,

But I will not listen,

Ye the soul destroy!

Want or loss or shame or cross

Ne'er to leave my Lord shall move me,

Since He deigns to love me.

Farewell, thou who choosest

Earth, and heaven refusest,

Thou wilt tempt in vain;

Farewell, sins, nor blind me,

Get ye far behind me,

Come not forth again;

Past your hour, O pomp and power;

Godless life, thy bonds I sever,

Farewell now for ever!

Hence all thoughts of sadness,

For the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in!

Those who love the Father,

Though the storms may gather,

Still have peace within;

Yea, whate'er I here must bear

Still in Thee lies purest pleasure,

Jesu, priceless treasure!