Words: Anon­y­mous, cir­ca 1880. This hymn’s first pub­li­ca­tion was ap­par­ent­ly in Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts, in Ho­ly Songs, Car­ols and Sac­red Bal­lads.

Music: Peace, , 1890. Chad­wick wrote the tune spe­ci­fic­al­ly for this hymn. Al­ter­nate tune:

If you know the au­thor, or where to get a pho­to of him

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
No, I was found of Thee.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm vexed sea.
’Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love, but oh, the whole
Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!
For Thou were long beforehand with my soul,
Always Thou lovest me.