1 Do not I love Thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart, and see,
And turn each cursed idol out,
That dares to rival Thee.
2 Do not I love Thee from my soul?
Then let me nothing love;
Dead be my heart to ev’ry joy
When Jesus cannot move.
3 Thou know’st I love Thee, dearest Lord,
But O I long to soar
Far from the sphere of mortal joys,
And learn to love Thee more.
Source: The Sacred Harp: the best collection of sacred songs, hymns, odes, and anthems ever offered the singing public for general use (1991 rev.) #39a
First Line: | Do not I love Thee, O my Lord? |
Title: | Lovest Thou Me? Feed My Lambs |
Author: | Philip Doddridge |
Meter: | 8.6.8.6 |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Do not I love Thee, O my Lord? P. Doddridge. [St. Peter's love of Christ.] This hymn is not in the D. MSS. It was first published in J. Orton's posthumous edition of Doddridge's Hymns, &c, 1755, No. 246, in 7 stanzas of 4 lines and headed, “Appeal to Christ for the sincerity of Love to Him." It is based on St. Peter's answer to Christ, "Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee." In 1839 it was repeated in J. D. Humphreys's edition of Doddridge's Hymns, &c. Its use in America is extensive.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)