I Open Wide the Portals of My Heart

Above:  Air Clouds

Image in the Public Domain

Words (1923) by Anna Bernadine Dorothy Hoppe (1889-1941)

Hymn Source = American Lutheran Hymnal (1930), American Lutheran Church (1930-1960) and its predecessor bodies

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1.  I open wide the portals of my heart

And bid Thee enter, precious Savior mine,

O enter in, Thy riches to impart,

Blest Son of God, Redeemer, Love divine.

2.  Dwell Thou within and let me own Thee, Lord,

To have Thee near is joy and beyond compare;

I feast upon the manna of Thy Word

And taste the sweetness of Thy love in prayer.

3.  If I have Thee, Lord Jesus, I have all;

In trouble solace, courage when I fear;

Strength when I faint and pardon when I fall;

Rest when I’m weary, hope when death is near.

4.  Thou art my sun when clouds encompass me,

My health in sickness and my peace in strife;

In Thee my fount of wealth and joy I see,

My righteousness and my eternal life.

5.  Immanuel, do Thou with me abide

Till I am called to leave this house of clay;

Then let my soul for aye be at Thy side

And see the glory of an endless day.