By Joachim Lange[1]
O God, what offering shall I give
To you, the Lord of earth and skies?
My spirit, soul, and flesh receive,
A holy, living sacrifice;
Small as it is, ’tis all my store;
More should you have, if I had more.
Now then, my God, you have my soul,
No longer mine, but yours I am;
Guard your own, possess it whole,
Cheer it with hope, with love inflame;
You have my spirit, there display
Your glory to the perfect day.
You have my body, your holy shrine,
Devoted solely to your will;
Here let your light forever shine,
This house still let your presence fill;
O Source of life, live, dwell, and move
In me, till all my life be love!
O never in these veils of shame,
Sad fruits of sin, my glorying be!
Clothe with salvation, through your name,
My soul, and let me put on you!
Be living faith my costly dress,
And my best robe your righteousness.
Send down your likeness from above,
And let this my adorning be;
Clothe me with wisdom, patience, love,
With lowliness and purity,
Than gold and pearls more precious far,
And brighter than the morning star.
Lord, arm me with your Spirit’s might,
Since I am called by your great name;
In you let all my thoughts unite,
Of all my works be you the aim;
Your love attend me all my days,
And my sole business be your praise!
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[1] Adapted slightly from Joachim Lange’s 1697 hymn “O Jesu, Süsses Licht,” translated by John Wesley in Wesleyan Hymn Book (1780), no. 419.