Be Thou Supreme

Be Thou supreme, O Jesus Christ,
Nor creed, nor form, nor word,
Nor holy church, nor human love,
Compare with Thee, my Lord.

Be Thou supreme, O Jesus Christ,
Thy love has conquered me;
Beneath Thy cross I die to self,
And live alone to Thee.

Be Thou supreme, O Jesus Christ,
My inmost being fill;
So shall I think as Thou dost think,
And will as Thou dost will.

Be Thou supreme, O Jesus Christ,
Thy life transfigure mine;
And through this veil of mortal flesh,
Lord, let Thy splendors shine.

Be Thou supreme, O Jesus Christ,
My soul exults in Thee;
To be Thy slave, to do Thy will,
Is my felicity.

Author: John Oxenham

Year: 1925

John Oxenham (pen name of William Arthur Dunkerley) is the established author of this hymn, which first appeared in his collection 'Bees in Amber' (1913/1920s editions). Some hymnals date its widespread use around 1925; no credible alternate attributions exist.