O Thou Essential Word,

Who wast from the beginning

With God, for Thou wast God;

Thou hope of all the sinning,

Chosen to save our race,

Welcome indeed Thou art,

Redeemer, Fount of Grace,

To this my longng heart

Come, self-existent Word,

And speak Thou in my spirit!

The soul where Thou art heard

Doth endless peace inherit.

Thou Light that lightenest all,

Abide through faith in me,

Nor let me from Thee fall,

And seek no guide but Thee.

Ah! what hath stirred Thy heart,

What cry hath mounted thither,

And reached Thy heavenly throne,

And drawn Thee, Saviour, hither?

It was Thy wondrous love,

And my most utter need,

Made Thy compassions move,

Stronger than Death indeed.

Then let me give my heart

To Him who loved me, wholly;

And live, while here I dwell,

To show His praises solely;

Yes, Jesus, form anew

This stony heart of mine,

Make it till death still true

To Thee, for ever Thine.

Let nought be left within

But what Thy hand hath planted;

Root out the weeds of sin,

And quell the foe who haunted

My soul, and set the tares;

From Thee comes nothing ill,

O save me from his snares,

Make plain my pathway still.

Thou art the Life, O Lord,

And Thou its Light art only!

Let not Thy blessed rays

Still leave me dark and lonely.

Star of the East, arise!

Drive all my clouds away,

Till earth's dim twilight dies

Into the perfect day!