You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe

Representative Text

1 Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe,
die sich in Jesu offenbart;
ich geh mich hin dem freien Triebe,
mit dem ich Wurm geliebet ward;
ich will, anstatt an mich zu denken,
ins Meer der Liebe mich versenken.

2 Ich liebt und lebte recht im Zwange,
Als ich mir lebte ohne dich.
Ich wollte dich nicht ach, so lange!
Doch liebtest du und fuchtest mich.
O wenn doch dies der Sünder wüßte,
Sein Herz wohl bald Dich lieben müßte!

3 Im diesem theuren Jesusnamen
Das Vaterherze öffnet sich:
Ein Brunn der Liebe, Fried und Freude
Quillt nun so nach, so mildiglich
Mein Gott wenns doch die Sünder wüßte,
Sein Herz wohl bald Dich lieben müßte!

4 Lob sei dem hohe Jesusnamen
In dem der Liebe Quell entspringt,
Von dem hier alle Bächlein kamen,
Aus dem die selge Schaar dort trinkt
Wie beugen sie sich ohne Ende!
Wie falten sie die frohen Hände!

Source: Kleines Gesang- und Gebetbuch #75

Author: Gerhard Tersteegen

Tersteegen, Gerhard, a pious and useful mystic of the eighteenth century, was born at Mörs, Germany, November 25, 1697. He was carefully educated in his childhood, and then apprenticed (1715) to his older brother, a shopkeeper. He was religiously inclined from his youth, and upon coming of age he secured a humble cottage near Mühlheim, where he led a life of seclusion and self-denial for many years. At about thirty years of age he began to exhort and preach in private and public gatherings. His influence became very great, such was his reputation for piety and his success in talking, preaching, and writing concerning spiritual religion. He wrote one hundred and eleven hymns, most of which appeared in his Spiritual Flower Garden (1731). He… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe
Author: Gerhard Tersteegen
Language: German
Notes: Polish translation: See "Uwielbiam moc milości świętą"
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

ST. PETERSBURG

Dmitri Stephanovich Bortnianski (b. Gloukoff, Ukraine, 1751; d. St. Petersburg, Russia, 1825) was a Russian composer of church music, operas, and instrumental music. His tune ST. PETERSBURG (also known as RUSSIAN HYMN) was first published in J. H. Tscherlitzky's Choralbuch (1825). The tune is suppo…

Go to tune page >


Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)

Glaubenslieder #45

Include 83 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.