The Hymnal ‎#367

367. How blessed, from the bonds of sin

1 How blessed, from the bonds of sin,
And earthly fetters free,
In singleness of heart and aim,
Thy servant, Lord, to be;
The hardest toil to undertake
With joy at Thy command,
The meanest office to receive
With meekness at Thy hand;

2 With willing heart and longing eyes
To watch before Thy gate,
Ready to run the weary race,
To bear the heavy weight;
No voice of thunder to expect,
But follow calm and still;
For love can easily divine
The One Belovèd's will.

3 Thus may I serve Thee, gracious Lord;
Thus ever Thine alone,
My soul and body given to Thee,
The purchase Thou hast won;
Through evil or through good report
Still keeping at Thy side;
And by my life or by my death
Let Christ be magnified.

4 How happily the working days
In this dear service fly,
How rapidly the closing hour,
The time of rest, draws night,
When all the faithful gather home,
A joyful company;
And ever where the Master is
Shall His blest servants be.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: How blessed, from the bonds of sin
• Translator: Jane L. Borthwick (1854)
• Author: Carl J. P. Spitta (1833)
• Publication Date: 1895

Tune Information

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