What I would give

What I would give, all for my people, 

The Spirit knows - I do not lie.

In my great sorrow I’d be willing 

To be cut off from Christ and die. 

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

These are my people, my own kindred, 

From whom I learned of God’s true call.

They taught me prayer, worship, and scripture,

And how our God is all in all. 

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

And most of all, they showed me Jesus,

The only Way and Truth and Life.

Oh, how it grieves me now to see them 

Caught up in anger, fear, and strife.

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

 

I say this hymn is based very, very loosely after Romans 9:1-5. It is clearly not a direct rendering; at the last I could not render Paul's expression of concern for the Jewish people from whom he had been born and taught in any way useful for hymn singing. I'm not sure this is any more suitable for hymn singing but it might well be more relatable for those who find themselves cut off from the tradition in which they were raised and nurtured (let the reader understand).