1. Hymn: Olives That Have Known No Pressure

Hymn: Olives That Have Known No Pressure

Author: Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

(Vocal)

(Music)

(Sheet Music)

1. Olives that have known no pressure
    Never can oil bestow;
    If the grapes escape the winepress,
    Cheering wine can never flow;
    Spikenard only through the crushing,
    Its fragrance can diffuse.
    Shall I then, shrink from the suff’ring
    That Thy love would so induce?

Refrein:

Each blow I suffer

Is true gain to me.

In the place of what Thou takest

Thou dost give Thyself to me.

2. Do my heart-strings need Thy stretching,
    Music divine to prove?
    Must the sweetest music come from
    The harsh treatment of Thy love?
    Lord, I fear no deprivation
    If I be drawn to Thee;
    I would yield in full surrender
    All Thy heart of love to see.

3. I’m ashamed, my Lord, for seeking
    Myself to guard alway;
    Though Thy love had done its stripping,
    Yet I felt compelled Thy way.
    Lord, according to Thy pleasure
    Complete Thy work in me;
    Heeding not my human feelings,
    Only do what pleases Thee.

4. If Thy mind and mine should differ,
    Pursue, O Lord, Thy way;
    If Thy pleasure means my sorrow,
    Still my heart shall answer, “Yea!”
    ’Tis my deep desire to please Thee,
    Though I might suffer loss;
    E’en though Thy delight and glory
    Mean that I endure the cross.

5. Oh, I’ll praise Thee, e’en if weeping
    Be mingled with my song.
    Thine increasing sweetness calls forth
    Grateful praises all day long.
    Thou hast made Thyself more precious
    Than everything to me:
    Thou increase and I decrease, Lord-
    This is now my only plea.