How Few Are Those Who Want to Hear
12th Sunday after Trinity
87 87 887
Tune: Allein Gott in der Höh (LSB 947)
1 How few are those who want to hear
The doctrine You are teaching,
Though still Your Word to them is near,
Still calling, always reaching,
“Now open wide your mouth, and I
Will gladly better food supply
That what the world can offer!”
2 The unbelief I see around,
3 It shows me what I merit;
As in the world no rest is found,
So neither in my spirit
Can I discern the peace I need –
You, only You, my soul can feed
With grace and purest mercy.
4 This world I’d gladly leave to be
With Christ who is my treasure,
To leave behind what burdens me
Would give me greater pleasure
Than all that this sad age can boast –
My Jesus, whom I need the most,
Gives more than earth can offer.
5 But there is love for me to do –
Christ, let it be my honor
To serve Your Church whom You made new
With grace You poured upon her.
If but one soul through what I say
Can boldly meet his dying day,
Then all my pain is worth it.
6 Dear Father, whom I know in Christ,
I ask, let it be given!
Let those, for whom Christ sacrificed
His life, know they’re forgiven,
And by the faith You plant in them
Build walls around Jerusalem
Which unbelief can’t conquer.
9/17/18