1. (The Soul:) Lord Jesus, Thou art going forth
For me Thy life to offer;
For me, a sinner from my birth,
Who caused all Thou must suffer.
So be it, then,
Thou Hope of men;
Thee I shall follow weeping,
Tears flowing free
Thy pain to see,
Watch o'er Thy sorrows keeping.
2. (Jesus:) Soul, attend thou and behold
The fruit of thy transgression!
My portion is the curse of old
And for man's sin My Passion.
Now comes the night
Of sin’s dread might,
Man’s guilt I here am bearing.
Oh, weigh it, Soul;
I make thee whole,
No need now of despairing.
3. (The Soul:) "Tis I, Lord Jesus, I confess,
Who should have borne sin’s wages
And lost the peace of heavenly bliss
Through everlasting ages.
Instead "tis Thou
Who goest now
My punishment to carry,
Thy death and blood
Lead me to God;
By grace I there may tarry.
4. (Jesus: ) O Soul, I take upon Me now
The pain thou shouldst have suffered.
Behold, with grace I thee endow,
Grace freely to thee offered.
The curse I choose
That thou mightst lose
Sin’s curse and guilt forever.
My gift of love
From heaven above
Will give thee blessing ever.
5. (The Soul:) What can I for such love divine
To Thee, Lord Jesus, render?
No merit has this heart of mine;
Yet while I live, I'll tender
Myself alone,
And all I own,
In love to serve before Thee;
Then when time's past,
Take me at last
To Thy blest home in glory.
Hymn #150 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: Matt. 11:28
Author: James Montgomery, 1819
Composer: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1871
Tune: "Consolation"