Christ My Song - 708
Love of Christ which passeth knowledge - Love of Christ
(John S. B. Monsell/Johannes Thomas Rüegg)
Love of Christ.
The Love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. (Ephesians 3,19)
1. 'Love of Christ which passeth knowledge,'
that is what I long for most,
till I feel that I possess it,
every hour of time is lost:
I have but its cold resemblance,
all the life of Life is dead,
if within my heart I feel not
that which plays around my head. (PDF - Midi)
2. I can see and understand it,
and my tongue hath often told
others of its priceless beauty,
still my heart seems dead and cold:
I must know it, I must feel it,
more alas than now I do,
else devotion's simplest feelings
soon themselves may seem untrue.
3. Deeper, higher, fuller teachings,
than the lips of man can give,
must be mine, or else I have not
more than the mere name to live.
Just like one to whom, while sleeping,
shadows all so real seem;
but who finds, upon awaking,
it has only been a dream.
4. What I want – is something real,
more than man to man can tell,
substance of the fair ideal,
Christ within my heart to dwell!
That abiding, deep experience,
which no change or chance can move,
of their blessing – who are settled,
rooted, grounded in his Love: –
5. Till my heart, in large communion
with all saints, doth comprehend
breadth, length, depth, and height eternal
of a Love, that knows no end:
'Love of Christ which passeth knowledge!'
Let me from that well-spring drink;
fill me Father with its fulness,
more than I can ask or think.
John S. B. Monsell, 'Spiritual Songs', 1864, 147-148.