Jesus, Thou alone can’st govern

Author: Gerhardt Tersteegen
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 Jesus, Thou alone canst govern Thy assembly as its sov’reign, Bless me then, Thy humble child! O, infuse in me new merit To obey Thy Holy Spirit; Strengthen me with blessings mild! 2 Share Thy grace and heav’nly blessing To Thy members, thus impressing Each, Lord, with Thy Spirit’s call. Scattered over all creation, And in ev’ry clime and nation, Thou dost know them one and all. 3 Lord, I love Thy children dearly; All who follow Thee sincerely, They are precious to my heart! Thou know’st how my soul rejoices, Meeting those whose hearts and voices Are with Thee in one accord! 4 I embrace, O Lord, Thy servants, Joined to them in love so fervent, Asking, Lord, that from Thy face They receive a thousand blessings; In Thy ways, Thy strength possessing, Lead them in Thy light and grace. 5 From the world Thine own deliver, And let Satan soon forever Wholly ’neath their feet be trod! By Thy Spirit in them dwelling, Earthly lust and nature quelling, Be their only joy, O God! 6 Those who sorrow’s cross are carrying, Strengthen so they do not tarry, They to Thee their souls confide. Purge them; make them ever purer, Yet more humble, and yet surer, That in Thee they may abide. 7 Let Thy children, while here stationed, After Thine own heart be fashioned, Beautiful for piety; Quiet, set apart, and lowly, Upright, as Thy will most holy, And as Thou wouldst have them be! 8 Look upon with special favor, Those who ask of me, O Saviour, That for them my prayers may rise; To Thy mercy I commend them; To each one such blessing send them As they need; for Thou art wise. 9 Visit in their hour of sadness All their hearts; may they find gladness When Thy face alone they see. Draw, with love’s divine attraction, All their joy and satisfaction Into union close with Thee! 10 On the cross hast Thou, Lord, suffered, Full redemption to us offered; For our sins didst Thou atone! Hold us fast while we are living, And here in this desert grieving; Leave us nevermore alone! 11 Till above Thy saints shall gather In the mansion of the Father, Free from every spot and stain. Thy eternal throne erected, Thy likeness in us reflected, Ever with Thee to remain.

Source: Zion's Harp: a collection of hymns and songs for the Apostolic Christian Church of America #189

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Author: Gerhardt 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 >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Jesus, Thou alone can’st govern
Author:	Gerhardt Tersteegen
Publication Date:	2003
Copyright:	This text may still be under copyright because it was published in 2003.