A Hymn Text to Pray for the New Year

Gerhard Tersteegen was a German Reformed writer who lived in the 1700s. He wrote hymn texts, among other things, and this text is a wonderful prayer for God's people as we begin the New Year. May it encourage you and enrich your spirit today.

Thou Hidden Love of God

Thou hidden Love of God, whose height,

Whose depth unfathomed no man knows,

I see from far Thy beauteous light,

And inly sigh for Thy repose;

My heart is pained, nor can it be

At rest till it finds rest in Thee.

'Tis mercy all that Thou hast brought

My mind to seek its peace in Thee;

Yet while I seek, but find Thee not,

No peace my wand'ring soul shall see.

O when shall all my wand'rings end,

and all my steps to Thee-ward tend.

Is there a thing beneath the sun

That strives with Thee my heart to share?

Ah! tear it thence, and reign alone,

The Lord of ev'ry motion there;

Then shall my heart from earth be free,

when it has found repose in Thee.

O hide this self from me, that I

no more, but Christ in me, may live;

My vile affections crucify,

Nor let one darling lust survive;

In all things nothing may I see,

Nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.

O Love, Thy sov'reign aid impart

To save me from low-thoughted care;

Chase this self-will from all my heart,

From all its hidden mazes there;

Make me Thy duteous child, that I

May ceaseless, "Abba, Father," cry.

Each moment draw from earth away

My heart, that lowly waits Thy call;

Speak to my inmost soul, and say,

"I am thy love, thy God, thy all."

To feel Thy pow'r, to hear Thy voice,

To taste Thy love, be all my choice.