My Master

‘I love my master; . . . I will not go out free. And he shall serve him for ever.’—Ex. xxi. 5, 6.

I.
I LOVE, I love my Master,
I will not go out free,
For He is my Redeemer,
He paid the price for me.

II.
I would not leave His service,
It is so sweet and blest;
And in the weariest moments
He gives the truest rest.

III.
I would not halve my service,
His only it must be,—
His only, who so loved me
And gave Himself for me.

IV.
My Master shed His life-blood
My vassal life to win,
And save me from the bondage
Of tyrant self and sin.

V.
He chose me for His service,
And gave me power to choose
That blessed, ‘perfect freedom
Which I shall never lose;

VI.
For He hath met my longing
With word of golden tone,
That I shall serve for ever
Himself, Himself alone.

VII.
Shall serve Him’ hour by hour,
For He will show me how;
My Master is fulfilling
His promise even now!

VIII.
‘Shall serve Him,’ and ‘for ever
O hope most sure, most fair!
The perfect love outpouring
In perfect service there!

IX.
Rejoicing and adoring,
Henceforth my song shall be:
I love, I love my Master,
I will not go out free!