One Thing's Needful
Words and music by Johann Heinrich Schr�der · tr. Frances Elizabeth Cox · 1697
Key of Eb · 120 BPM · 4/4 · Aspiration,Assurance,Atonement · Lk 10:41-42
Verse 1
One thing's needful: then, Lord Jesus, Keep this one thing in my mind;
All beside, though first it please us, Soon a grievous yoke we find:
Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving, No true, lasting
happiness ever deriving. The gain of this one thing all
loss can requite And teach me in all things to find true delight.
Verse 2
Soul, wilt thou this one thing find thee? Seek not midst created things;
What is earthly, leave behind thee, over nature stretch thy wings;
For where God and man both in One are united, With God's perfect
fullness the heart is delighted; There, there is the worthiest
lot and the best, My One and my All, and my Joy, and my Rest.
Verse 3
How were Mary's thoughts devoted, Her eternal joy to find,
As intent each word she noted, At her Savior's feet reclined:
How kindled her heart, how devout was its feeling, While hearing the
lessons that Christ was revealing; For Jesus all earthly concerns
cerns she forgot, And all was repaid in that one happy lot.
Verse 4
Thus my longings, heav'nward tending, Jesus, rest alone on Thee;
Help me, thus on Thee depending, Savior! come and dwell in me:
Although all the world should forsake and forget Thee, In love I will
follow Thee, ne'er will I quit Thee; For Jesus, both Spirit and
life is Thy Word, And is there a joy which Thou dost not afford?
Verse 5
Wisdom's highest noblest treasure, Jesus, lies conceal'd in Thee;
Grant that this may still the measure Of my will and actions be:
Humility there and simplicity reigning, My steps shall in
wisdom for ever be training; Oh! if I of Christ have this
knowledge divine, The fullness of heavenly wisdom is mine.
Public domain — free for any use, anywhere, forever.