1
One thing needful: this one treasure
Teach me, Saviour, to esteem;
Other things may promise pleasure,
But are never what they seem;
They prove to be burdens that hinder and chafe us,
And true lasting happiness never vouchsafe us:
This one precious treasure, that all else exceeds,
Gives joy above measure and fills all my needs.
2
Seek, my soul, the one thing needful,
Leave all cares that hindering prove;
Be of earthly joys unheedful,
Seek the things that are above;
For where God and man both in one are united,
With God’s perfect fullness the heart is delighted;
There, there is the portion most needful and best,
My one and my all, and my joy, and my rest.
3
Mary, in her earnest yearning,
Gladly chose the better part;
At the feet of Jesus learning,
Sat intent, devout in heart.
With eager devotion her spirit was glowing
To seek but the one thing her Lord was bestowing;
There, heeding His gracious and merciful call,
She found in her Saviour her one and her all.
4
Thus, O Jesus, my endeavour Is to live to Thee alone;
I would cling to Thee for ever:
Come, and make Thyself mine own.
Though great be the host that refuses to heed Thee,
In love I will follow where’er Thou wilt lead me;
For Thy Word is spirit and life to my soul,
And through it, O Jesus, Thou makest me whole.
5
Henceforth Thou alone my Saviour,
Shalt be all in all to me;
Search my heart and my behaviour,
Cast out all hypocrisy.
Restrain me from wanderings in pathways unholy,
And through this life’s pilgrimage keep my heart lowly.
This one thing is needful, all others are vain;
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain.
