Tune: Dulci Jesu, Aaron T. Fenker, © 2009
Meter: SM
Text: Aaron T. Fenker, © 2009, alt. © 2014
John 20:21–23
O Jesus, blessed Lord,
You are so dear to me,
For You have come within Your Word
When pastor spoke to me.
It is a wond’rous thing;
Mine heart now leaps for joy—
Just like a hart within the spring—
When I Your grace enjoy.
O Christ, my precious Gem,
You are my heart’s desire;
Your pastor sins shall not condemn,
When I Your grace require.
A soothing word is giv’n
And balm to end despair,
And opened are the gates of heav’n,
When Christ the keys does bear.
Those keys, which bind and free,
Oft cause my heart to wail
Because I doubt that there can be
Forgiveness when I fail.
My pastor is a man,
But he is there to be
The mouth of Christ so that Christ can
Release my sins from me.
When doubts assail my mind
About this wond’rous grace
I look unto Christ’s words to find
Where I may flee apace.
The Office stands fore’er
A bastion strong and sound,
For Christ’s forgiveness is found there,
And there it does abound!
O Jesus, blessed Lord,
To me You are so dear;
Within Your Office with Your word
For me be ever near!
This a Fenker original?
Yes, it is. Both text and tune.