Today’s hymn is another one by Fanny Crosby, published in 1875, distributed in the revival meetings led by Moody and Sankey. The melody by American William H. Doane may sound dated now (and is the main reason many churches no longer sing hymns in general), but the devotion of the text is moving. And hearing a choir like the one above singing a classic hymn like this stirs the soul.

“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 NRSV).

1 I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice,
And it told thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to thee.

Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in thine. [Refrain]

3 O the pure delight of a single hour
That before thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend! [Refrain]

4 There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with thee. [Refrain]