The words of this offertory sentence are from 1 Chronicles 29:14, a part of David’s prayer of thanksgiving for the generous gifts of God’s people for the building of the temple: “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” Titled “On Presentation of Offering,” it is one of several pieces in chant style that appeared in F. E. Belden’s (see Biographies) Christ in Song: “The Lord’s Prayer,” “The Beatitudes,” “The Doxology,” and a thanks to be sung at meals.

In the Hymnal for Youth, 1950, printed by the Presbyterian Westminster Press, Philadelphia, this offertory sentence appears exactly as SDAH has it, and credit is given for the music to Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). This book was edited by Calvin Laufer and Lawrence Curry, two noted musicians and hymnologists in the Presbyterian Church. Leonard Ellinwood, highly respected Episcopal hymnologist, says, “Obviously Beethoven did not write it in the form we sing. I spent quite a bit of time, 40 years ago, searching through Beethoven’s complete works, to no avail. Our Hymnal 1940 wisely called it ‘anonymous.’

According to the Dictionary of American Hymnology’s first-line index, its first occurrence in a hymnal was in F. E. Belden’s Songs for the King’s Business, published by the Sunday School Supply House, Chicago, 1909.

📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.