I with Thee would begin, (W.T. Soderberg)

I with Thee would begin, O my Savior so dear,
On the way that I still must pursue;
I with Thee would begin every day granted here,
As my earnest resolve I renew
To be and remain Thine forever.

I with Thee would begin and go forth in Thy Name,
Which alone doth salvation bestow;
Fold me close to Thy breast where found joy all who came,
There is refuge for me, too, I know,
Though all in this world is confusion.

Let Thy Word all divine be my lamp in whose light
I may constantly keep to Thy way;
And each day wouldst Thou cleanse me anew, make me white
In the blood shed for me on that day
The cross Thou didst suffer, Lord Jesus.

I with Thee would begin—yea, and hear one more prayer,
I would close with Thee, too, my brief day,
And when daylight has failed, let me sleep in Thy care,
Until waking Thy child Thou dost say,
"Come, live with Me ever in Heaven."