Soul, what return has God, thy Savior

Representative Text

1 Soul, what return has God, thy Savior,
For all He gives thee day by day?
Oh, hast thou in thy gift a favor
That can delight and please Him?--Say!
The best of off'rings He requires:
Thy heart it is that He desires.

2 Give unto God thy heart’s affection,
Who else can claim thee as His own?
Should Satan hold thee in subjection?
With him but pangs of hell are known.
To Thee alone, O Lord divine,
My heart and all I now resign.

3 Accept the gift which Thou requirest,
My heart and soul, O gracious God,
The first fruits Thou so much desirest,
For which Thy Son paid with His blood.
To Thee I willingly assign
My heart, dear Lord, for it is Thine.

4 Whom should I give my heart’s affection
But Thee, who gavest Thine to faith?
Thy fervent love is my protection;
Lord, Thou hast loved me unto death.
My heart with Thine shall ever be
One heart throughout eternity.

Amen.

Source: The Lutheran Hymnal #404

Author: Karl Friedrich Lochner

Born: April 2, 1634, Nürnberg, Germany. Died: February 25, 1697, Fürth, Bavaria. Buried: Fürth, Bavaria. A Lutheran pastor and scholar, Lochner earned his master’s degree, then became a professor. His father then encouraged him to return home, where he lectured in logic and metaphysics. A higher calling changed his life’s work. First he became a vicar at Wöhrd, then a vicar at Fürth under Pastor Schuster. In 1663, upon Schuster’s death, he succeeded as pastor, and held the office for 36 years. Lyrics: Was gibt du denn, o meine Seele Soul, What Return Has God, Thy Savior http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/l/o/c/lochner_kf.htm  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Soul, what return has God, thy Savior
German Title: Was giebst du denn, o meine Seele
Author: Karl Friedrich Lochner
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #6257
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The Cyber Hymnal #6257

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