55. Lord Jesus, Dearest of All Friends

1. Lord Jesus, dearest of all friends,
Head of Thy congregation,
Thy holy priesthood never ends,
Thou grandest sure salvation;
Thou art the One who answers prayer,
Dost fill our needs with tender care,
As soon as we draw near Thee.

2. By Thine ascension, Lord, we may
Now see the open heaven;
And thus Thou hast to us the way
Unto the Father given.
This faith doth know and certain is
That Thou for us in paradise
A place art now preparing.

3. Thou didst go to the Holy Place
By virtue of Thy suff’ring,
For us salvation by free grace,
O glorious Lord, discov’ring.
Thou hast alone by Thy great might
Brought life and righteousness to light,
That shall abide forever.

4. Hast Thou, our Head, to heaven gone,
There shall Thy members gather;
Thou wilt not leave them here alone,
But bring them to the Father;
For where Thou art, there shall they be,
And Thee, Lord, glorified shall see
In everlasting rapture.

5. Draw us, O Lord, to fallow Thee,
A heav’nly nature giving;
In words, desires and works, may we
Henceforth to Thee be living!
O draw our hearts on high to Thee
That all our hope, wealth, rest may be
Alone with Thee in heaven.

6. What is above in future we
Shall seek it, unabating;
All vanity, Lord, teach us flee,
All sin and evil hating!
Away, O world, all thy pretense
Is truly wretched, an offense,
To all those heaven-minded!

7. O Precious Gem, that gleams above,
I’d make Thee all my treasure;
Thee, Precious Pearl, alone I love,
In Thee I find my pleasure!
O Heritage of joy and peace,
O Blessedness that will not cease,
Be mine – Through Jesus’ Mercy!