I leave thee not, thou art my Jesus ever

I leave thee not, thou art my Jesus ever

Author: Wolfgang Christoph Dessler; Translator: James W. Alexander
Published in 7 hymnals

Representative Text

1 I leave Thee not; Thou art my Jesus ever,
Though earth rebel,
And death and hell
Would, from its steadfast hold, my faith dissever.
Ah, no! I ever will
Cling to my Helper still.
Hear what my love is taught:
Thou art my Jesus ever,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

2 I leave Thee not, O Love! of love the highest,
Though doubt display
Its battle-day;
I own the power which Thou, my Lord appliest.
Thou didst bear guilt and woe;
Shall I to torment go,
When into judgment brought?
O Love! of love the highest,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

3 I leave Thee not, O Thou who sweetly cheerest!
Whose fresh supplies
Cause strength to rise,
Just in the hour when faith's decay is nearest.
If sickness chill the soul,
And nights of languor roll,
My heart one hope hath caught;
O Thou who sweetly cheerest,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

4 I leave Thee not, Thou Help in tribulation!
Heap ill on ill.
I trust Thee still,
I hope when all seems near to desolation,
Do what Thou wilt with me,
I yet will cling to Thee;
Thy grace I have besought;
Thou Help in tribulation,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

5 I leave Thee not: shall I forsake salvation?
No, Jesus, no!
Thou shalt not go;
Mine still Thou art, to free from condemnation.
After this fleeting night,
Thy presence brings me light,
Whose ray my soul hath sought;
Shall I forsake salvation?
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

6 I leave Thee not; Thy Word my way shall brighten:
With Thee I go
Through weal and woe,
Thy precept wise shall every burden lighten.
My Lord, on Thee I hang,
Nor heed the journey's pang,
Though thorny be my lot;
Let but Thy Word enlighten,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

7 I leave Thee not, e'en in the lap of pleasure;
For when I stray
Without Thy ray,
My richest joy must cease to be a treasure.
I shudder at the glee,
When no delight from Thee
Has heartfelt peace begot;
E'en in the lap of pleasure,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

8 I leave Thee not! I fear no condemnation,
For how could share
Thy child and heir
The lot of those who spurn their soul's salvation?
Thy blood, Lord, cleanseth me,
And therefore I am free
From hell, the sinner's lot.
I fear no condemnation;
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

9 I leave Thee not, my God, my Lord, my Heaven!
Nor death shall rend
From Thee, my Friend,
Who for my sake Thyself to death hast given.
Thou diedst for love to me,
And love goes back to Thee;
My heart has but one thought:
My God, my Lord, my Heaven,
I leave Thee not, I leave Thee not!

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #87

Author: Wolfgang Christoph Dessler

Dessler, Wolfgang Christoph, son of Nicolaus Dessler, jeweller, at Nürnberg, was born at Nürnberg, Feb. 11, 1660. His father wished him to become a goldsmith, but, as he was not physically suited for this, he was permitted to begin the study of theology at the University of Altdorf. His poverty and bodily weakness forced him to leave before completing his course, and, returning to Nurnberg, he supported himself there as a proof reader. Becoming acquainted with Erasmus Finx or Francisci, then residing in Nürnberg, he was employed by Finx as his amanuensis, and at his request translated many foreign religious works into German. In 1705 he was appointed Conrector of the School of the Holy Ghost at Nürnberg, where he laboured with zeal and… Go to person page >

Translator: James W. Alexander

James W. Alexander (b. Hopewell, Louisa County, VA, 1804; d. Sweetsprings, VA, 1859) was often overshadowed by his father, the renowned Archibald Alexander, first professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. But James Alexander was also a fine preacher, teacher, and writer. He studied at New Jersey College (now Princeton University) and Princeton Seminary. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church, he alternated his career between teaching and pastoring; for two years (1849-1851) he was professor of ecclesiastical history and church government at Princeton Seminary. Alexander translated a number of hymns from Greek, Latin, and German but is mainly known today for his translation of "O Sacred Head." Bert Polman… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: I leave thee not, thou art my Jesus ever
German Title: Ich lass Dich nicht, Du musst mein Jesus bleiben
Translator: James W. Alexander
Author: Wolfgang Christoph Dessler
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 7 of 7)

Book of Hymns for the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States #d102

Book of Hymns for the joint Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and other states #d104

Page Scan

Christ in Song #555

Evangelical Lutheran Hymn Book with Tunes #d165

TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #87

TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #226

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnbook (Lutheran Conference of Missouri and Other States) #d130

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