I give my heart to Thee

Thank you Lord that you love me

I would love thee as thou lov’st me. What an intimate sentiment. This strikes at the very core of our being. What an experience of loving God and desiring a deeper love. This surely reflects who is first in the authors life. I come to you oh Lord this morning with this my one desire.

This afternoon I felt to sing this hymn. Many times over recent years I have sung this hymn. One verse that always speaks to me is verse 3.

What offering can I make,
Dear Lord, to love like Thine,
That Thou, the Word, didst stoop to take
A human form like mine.

Lord, Thou my heart hast won! I would love Thee as Thou lov’st me, O Jesus most desired!

My heart, as girt around, her citadel hath found;
I would love Thee as Thou lov’st me,
  O Jesus most desired.
Amen, Lord Jesus, my Most Desired.

Ray Palmer was born in Little Compton, Rhode Island on November 12, 1808 and died March 29, 1887 in Newark, New Jersey. After completing grammar school, he worked in Boston in a dry goods store but a religious awakening prodded him to study for the ministry. He attended Yale College (supporting himself by teaching) and was ordained in 1835 a pastor in Congregational Churches both in Bath, Maine (1835-50) and Albany, New York (1850-65). He also served as Secretary of the American Congregational Union (1865-1878). Palmer was a renowned preacher and author of original hymns as well as a translator of many hymns. He published several volumes of poetry and hymns including “Sabbath Hymn Book” (1858), “Hymns and Sacred Pieces” (1865), and “Hymns of my Holy Hours” (1868). His “Complete Works” were published in 1876. Most of Dr. Palmer’s hymns have passed on to congregational use and have won great acceptance. The best of them by combination of thought, poetry and devotion are almost superior to almost all other American hymns.

Amen! I would Love Three as Thou lov'st me.
O Jesus most desired.
amen dear Lord.... thank you You won our hearts.
You're very precious Lord.

Oh Lord, you are the desire of the nations. Oh Jesus you are the desire of my heart. In You my heart finds its rest. Lord Jesus burn within my heart till I that love return. Oh Lord I would love You as thou lov'st me, O Jesus most desired.

Oh Lord such a Riven Rock you are! Nothing can shake us from such a foundation that you are! Oh Lord, we thank you that we can be reposed in you!

Verse 6
Ah, how Thy love doth burn
Till I Thy love return
I would love Thee as Thou lov'st me
O Jesus most desired.
We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19