Serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deuteronomy 10:12
Words: Susie M. Day, in The International Lesson Hymnal, edited by David C. Cook et al. (Chicago, Illinois: David C. Cook, 1879), number 173.
Music: Davao E. A. Hanchet (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Hanchet’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him or Day,
Looking backward thro’ the year,
Much that’s wasted doth appear;
What worthwhile can we recall?
Serving Jesus, that is all.
Refrain
Serving Jesus every day,
Serving Jesus as we may,
In the great things and the small,
Serving Jesus, that is all.
Other work seems well nigh lost,
Little worth the pain it cost;
Earth’s rewards grow faint and small,
Serving Jesus, that is all.
Refrain
Helping straying feet to turn,
Sending aid that all may learn,
Spreading wide the Savior’s call,
Serving Jesus, that is all.
Refrain
Who, of all the friends we love,
Will forever faithful prove?
Never disappoint nor fall?
Perfect Jesus, He is all.
Perfect Savior, perfect friend,
Perfect love that knows no end;
Satisfying every call,
Perfect Savior, all in all.