Love, Who in the first beginning - Johannes Engel

Love, Who in the first beginning

Man in thine own likeness made;

Love, Who, when we fell by sinning,

Raised us up no more afraid;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, Who once, thy grace bestowing,

Chose me ere life’s breath I drew;

Love, Who once, thy mercy showing,

Took my form and nature too;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, Who here on earth endurest

Human sorrow, toil, and pain;

Love, Who by thy death procuredst

Joy to me and endless gain;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, Who by thy Word and Spirit

Life and light to me revealed;

Love, Who ’gainst the wrath I merit

Art my soul’s protecting shield;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, to Whom my will submitted,

When I took thine easy yoke;

Love, to Whom my heart was knitted,

When thy love its love awoke;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, Whose wondrous love eternal

Thee my willing Ransom made;

Love, Who at the throne supernal

Pleadest now that Ransom paid;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

Love, Who wilt to heaven’s bright story

Raise me from my sleep profound;

Love, Who with the Crown of Glory

Wilt at length my head surround;

Henceforth I myself resign,

Love, to be for ever thine.

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Johannes Engel [Johannes Angelus] (1453 - 1512) Germany

Translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox

Source: Hymns from the German, Frances Elizabeth Cox (translator), Rivingtons, 1864 [Project Gutenberg]