1  It passeth knowledge, that dear love of Thine,

    My Savior, Jesus; yet this soul of mine

    Would of Thy love in all its breadth and length,

    Its height and depth, its everlasting strength,

                Know more and more.

 2  It passeth telling, that dear love of Thine,

    My Savior, Jesus; yet these lips of mine

    Would fain proclaim to sinners, far and near,

    A love which can remove all guilty fear,

                And love beget.

 3  It passeth praises, that dear love of Thine,

    My Savior Jesus; yet this heart of mine

    Would sing that love, so full, so rich, so free,

    Which brings a rebel sinner, such as me,

                Nigh unto God.

 4  But though I cannot sing, or tell, or know

    The fullness of Thy love, while here below,

    My empty vessel I may freely bring;

    O Thou, who art of love the living spring,

                My vessel fill.

 5  I am an empty vessel — not one thought

    Or look of love to Thee I've ever brought;

    Yet I may come, and come again to Thee,

    With this the empty sinner's only plea,

                Thou lovest me.

 6  Oh, fill me, Jesus, Savior, with Thy love!

    Lead, lead me to the living fount above;

    Thither may I, in simple faith draw nigh,

    And never to another fountain fly,

                But unto Thee.

 7  Lord Jesus, when Thee face to face I see,

    When on Thy lofty throne I sit with Thee,

    Then of Thy love, in all its breadth and length,

    Its height and depth, its everlasting strength,

                My soul shall sing.