392: IT passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine

392: IT passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine

by Mary Shekleton (1827-1883)

1 IT passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine,
O Jesus, Saviour; yet this soul of mine
Would of Thy love, in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth and everlasting strength,
Know more and more.

2 It passeth telling, that dear love of Thine,
O Jesus, Saviour; yet these lips of mine
Would fain proclaim to sinners far and near
A love which can remove all guilty fear,
And love beget.

3 It passeth praises, that dear love of Thine,
O Jesus, Saviour; yet this heart of mine
Would sing a love so rich, so full, so free,
Which brought a rebel sinner, such as me,
Nigh unto God.

4 But though I cannot tell, or sing, or know
The fulness of Thy love while here below,
My tiny vessel I may freely bring ---
O Thou, who art of love the living Spring,
My vessel fill!

5 O fill me, Jesus, Saviour, with Thy love;
Lead, lead me to the living Fount above!
Thither may I in simple faith draw nigh,
And never to another fountain fly,
But unto Thee.

6 Lord Jesus, when Thee face to face I see,
When on Thy lofty throne I sit with Thee,
Then of Thy love in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth, its everlasting strength,
My soul shall sing.