The Thanksgiving

O King of Grief! how strange and true

Author: George Herbert, 1593-1632
Tune: RETURN (Squires)
Published in 1 hymnal

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. O King of Grief! (how strange and true
The name, to Jesus only due!)
How, Savior, shall I grieve for Thee?
Who in all griefs preventest me.

2. Then let me vie with Thee in love,
And try who there shall conqueror prove,
Giv’st Thou me wealth? I will restore
All back unto Thee by the poor.

3. Giv’st Thou me honor? All shall see
The honor doth belong to Thee:
A bosom-friend? If false he prove
To Thee, I will tear thence his love.

4. Thee shall my music find: each string
Shall have his attribute to sing;
And every note accord in Thee,
To prove one God, one harmony.

5. Giv’st Thou me knowledge? It shall still
Search out Thy ways, Thy works, Thy will:
Yea, I will search Thy Book, nor move
Till I have found therein Thy love.

6. Thy love I will turn back on Thee:
O my dear Savior, victory!
Then for Thy passion, I for that
Will do—alas, I know not what!

Author: George Herbert, 1593-1632

Herbert, George, M.A., the fifth son of Richard Herbert and Magdalen, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport, was born at his father's seat, Montgomery Castle, April 3, 1593. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1611. On March 15, 1615, he became Major Fellow of the College, M.A. the same year, and in 1619 Orator for the University. Favoured by James I., intimate with Lord Bacon, Bishop Andrewes, and other men of influence, and encouraged in other ways, his hopes of Court preferment were somewhat bright until they were dispelled by the deaths of the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hamilton, and then of King James himself. Retiring into Kent, he formed the resolution of taking Holy Orders… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O King of Grief! how strange and true
Title: The Thanksgiving
Author: George Herbert, 1593-1632
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems, by Charles Wesley, 1739, page 27-8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #6586
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The Cyber Hymnal #6586

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