The Lutheran Hymnal ‎#148

148. 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 opprest.

2 Far off I see my fatherland,
Where thro' 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, take 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 Oh, let Thy holy wounds for me
Clefts in the rock forever be
Where as a dove my soul can hide
And safe from Satan's rage abide.

6 And when my spirit flies away,
The dying words shall be my stay.
Thy cross shall be my staff in life,
Thy holy grave my rest from strife.

7 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.

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

9 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.

10 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.

11 Ah, then I'll have my hearts' desire,
When, singing with the angels' choir,
Among the ransomed of Thy grace,
Forever I'll behold Thy face.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light
• Title: Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light
• German Title: O Jesu Christ, mein's Lebens licht
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1858,1863, alt.)
• Author: Martin Behm (1610, cento)
• Meter: L.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1941
• Scripture:
  Luke 23:33
• Topic: The Church Year: Lent

Tune Information

• Name: O JESU CHRIST, MEIN'S
• Meter: L.M.
• Key: G Major
• Source: "Nürnbergerisches Gesangbuch," 1676