GOSPEL >> Consecration
SDAH 316
Live out Thy life within me,
O Jesus, King of kings!
Be Thou Thyself the answer
To all my questionings;
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Live Out Thy Life Within Me
Frances Ridley Havergal, often called the “consecration poet,” wrote this hymn as a prayer of full surrender, first published in Pentecostal Hymns No. 3 in 1902. Reflecting her deep devotion and biblical insight, the hymn alludes to Exodus 40:35 and the Hebrew word shakan, which evokes the shekinah glory—God’s abiding presence. In Patriarchs and Prophets, this glory is described as “the abiding presence of Jehovah,” a fitting image for a life wholly indwelt by Christ. The tune AURELIA by Samuel Sebastian Wesley gives the text a dignified and noble character, also used for “The Church Has One Foundation.” As we sing this hymn, may its words remind us that true victory over doubt and fear begins with allowing Christ to live and shine within us daily.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Jesus Himself is the only answer to all our questionings. He teaches us as an individual and as a church. If we surrender our lives to Him, He will guide us and the wisdom which He gave will be a light and would also guide other people to know the truth. (Lesson 8, 4th Quarter 2020 – Monday, Jesus As Teacher, 11/16/2020)
God’s glory no longer rests in Solomon’s temple, long reduced to rubble. But the glory of God still tabernacles with men in the lives of those who yield their heart, mind, soul and strength to Him. (Lesson 4, 2nd Quarter 2023 -Wednesday, Wholly Thine, 4/19/2023)
In the American Dictionary of Hymnology. First Line Index, there are seven cards listing the publication in which the hymn appears. The first is Pentecostal Hymns, No. 3, published by Henry Date in 1902. It is by Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879; see biographies) and describes a fully surrendered Christian life and its triumph over doubts and fear. The Old Testament in Hebrew. She is now referring to the statement in Exodus 40:35, “The cloud abode thereon,” for the word abode is the translation of the Hebrew word shakan, from the English word shekinah is transliterated. This “symbol of the abiding presence of Jehovah” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 548) is used as an illustration of the abiding presence of Christ in the life of a believer. AURELIA (Golden) was composed in 1864 by Samuel Sabastian Wesley (1810-1876; see SDAH 273). It is so named because it was written for the words of “Jerusalem the Golden,” SDAH 429. It is used also for SDAH 348, “The Church Has One Foundation.” Wesley also composed WETHERBY, SDAH 273, and the unnamed SDAH 691; he harmonized SEELENBRAUTIGAM, SDAH 553.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Live out Thy life within me,
O Jesus, King of kings!
Be Thou Thyself the answer
To all my questionings;
Live out Thy life within me,
In all things have Thy way!
I, the transparent medium
Thy glory to display.
2
The temple has been yielded,
And purified of sin;
Let Thy Shekinah glory
Now shine forth from within,
And all the earth keep silence,
The body henceforth be
Thy silent, gentle servant,
Moved only as by Thee.
3
Its members every moment
Held subject to Thy call,
Ready to have Thee use them,
Or not be used at all;
Held without restless longing,
Or strain, or stress, or fret
Or chafings at Thy dealings,
Or thoughts of vain regret.
4
But restful, calm, and pliant,
From bend and bias free,
Awaiting Thy decision,
When Thou hast need of me.
Live out Thy life within me,
O Jesus, King of kings!
Be Thou the glorious answer
To all my questionings.
Hymn Info
Biblical Information
(a) Matt 5:16 (b) 1 Cor 6:19; Ex 40:34; Heb 2:20 (d) 1 Cor 12:20
Author
Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)
Hymn Tune
AURELIA
Metrical Number
7.6.7.6.D.
Composer
Samuel Wesley (1810-1876)
Year Composed
1864
Alternate Tune
EWING, SDAH 429
