291. Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light

1 Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light,
My Strength by day, my Trust by night,
On earth I'm but a passing guest
And sorely by my sins oppressed.

2 Far off I see my fatherland,
Where through Thy blood I hope to stand.
But ere I reach that Paradise
A weary way before me lies.

3 My heart sinks at the journey's length,
My wasted flesh has little strength;
My soul alone still cries in me;
"Lord, fetch me home, take me to Thee!"

4 Oh let Thy suff'rings give me pow'r
To meet the last and darkest hour!
Thy blood refresh and comfort me;
Thy bonds and fetters make me free.

5 The blows and stripes that fell on Thee
Heal up the wounds of sin in me;
Thy crown of thorns, Thy foes' mad spite,
Let be my glory and delight.

6 That thirst and bitter draught of Thine
Cause me to bear with patience mine;
Thy piercing cry uphold my soul
When floods of anguish o'er me roll!

7 Thy Spirit cry within me still
When here my lips grow white and chill,
And help my soul Thy heav'n to find
When these poor eyes grow dark and blind!

8 Thy dying words let be my light
When death approaches as dark night;
Defend me in my dying breath
When then I bow my head in death.

9 Thy cross let be my staff in life,
Thy holy grave my rest from strife;
The winding sheet that covered Thee,
O let it be a shroud for me.

10 Lord, in Thy nail prints let me read
That Thou to save me hast decreed
And grant that in Thine opened side
My troubled soul may ever hide.

11 Since Thou hast died, the Pure, the Just,
I take my homeward way in trust.
The gates of heav'n, Lord, open wide
When here I may no more abide.

12 And when the last Great Day shall come
And Thou, our Judge, shalt speak the doom,
Let me with joy behold the light
And set me then upon Thy right.

13 Renew this wasted flesh of mine
That like the sun it there may shine
Among the angels pure and bright,
Yea, like Thyself in glorious light.

14 Ah, then shall I most joyful be
And with the angels sing to Thee
And with Thy blessed, chosen fold
Fore'er Thy gracious face behold.

Text Information
First Line: Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light
Title: Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light
German Title: O Jesu Christ, mien's Lebens Licht
Author: M. Behm, 1557-1622
Translator: C. Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt.)
Meter: L M
Language: English
Publication Date: 1996
Topic: Passion of Christ
Tune Information
Name: HERR JESU CHRIST, MEINS
Meter: L M
Incipit: 11235 1232
Key: G Major
Source: As hymnodus sacer, Leipzig, 1625, alt.



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us