I Am Thine, O Lord

An extraordinarily inspiring American mission worker, poet, and lyricist (1820–1915). Blinded by an incompetent doctor's treatment at six weeks old, she never held resentment, once stating: 'If I could meet him now, I would say, Thank you, thank you, over and over again, for making me blind... for when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.' Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns, including 'Blessed Assurance' and 'To God Be the Glory'. She spent her life ministering to the poor and homeless in New York City rescue missions, pouring her deep love for God into her lyrics.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

More classic hymns