One thing I ask, and this I seek with all my heart:
That I may dwell within Your house, O Lord,
That I may stay within its walls forever,
And there Your praise shall be my only word;
For I have seen Your beauty and Your majesty
Revealed to all in breath-taking display:
How Your dear Son, in fullness of humanity,
Humbled Himself, to die for me that day.
One thing I need, on Him henceforth to stay my eyes,
And on His cross, to ever fix my gaze;
To hang on Him, who hanged for me so freely,
O, I could stare in wonder all my days!
Behold, I’ve seen the glory of the Lord, and live:
Those five rich wounds, which speak of liberty!
No eye has seen, no mind has known the sorrow,
Or beauty like a thief upon a tree.
One thing I know, and it is all I need to know:
The power and wisdom of my God to save;
And this by what to human eyes is foolishness:
The sinless God, His life for sinners gave.
I can but guess what love it was possessed Him
To trade His throne in glory for a cross;
But this I trust, and of it I’m persuaded:
To know such Love, I gladly count all loss.
One thing I lack, and daily shall I seek it:
The love that empties all it has to give;
I want to know and share in Jesus’ sufferings,
And so somehow, begin His life to live;
Give me that love, so inexpressibly divine;
Give me that love, so my self-love may cease;
Give me that love, He showed for me on Calvary:
I gave Him death, He gives me life and peace.
Tune: Londonderry Air
And Can It Be? 