WORSHIP >> Adoration & Praise
SDAH 15
My Maker and my King,
To Thee my all I owe;
Thy sovereign bounty is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow;
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: My Maker and My King
A hymn of deep gratitude and devotion, My Maker and My King was written by Anne Steele in the 18th century. Originally published in her Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional (1760), this hymn beautifully expresses humble thanksgiving to God as our Creator and Sustainer.
Steele, known for her heartfelt poetry, lived a life marked by suffering—both from chronic illness and personal loss. Yet through it all, she remained devoted to God, writing over 140 hymns under the pen name Theodosia. Her words reflect a soul deeply aware of God’s goodness and grace, as seen in the hymn’s opening lines: “My Maker and my King, to Thee my all I owe.”
The tune EL KADER, long associated with this text in early Seventh-day Adventist hymnals, has been a unique part of our worship tradition. Though not widely found in other hymnals, its pairing with Steele’s words has helped generations of believers lift their voices in praise.
As we sing today, may our hearts overflow with gratitude to the One who gives us life, sustains us each day, and fills our lives with His unfailing love.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
“Lord what can I impart when all is Thine before?” Jesus is the author of the universe and as a creator, we ought to trust Him in all His ways. (Lesson 6, 1st Quarter 2021 -Monday, The Late Great City of Babylon, 2/01/2021)
Thank God its Friday – a day of final preparation for the coming day of rest which is designated by God as the Sabbath. Ezekiel 20:12 (KJV) – “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” (Lesson 1, 3rd Quarter 2021 -Tuesday, Defining Rest in the Old Testament, 6/29/2021)
Anne Steele wrote this hymn, originally of six stanzas, which was published in her Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional in 1760 under the title “God My Creator and Benefactor”
Anne steele was born in 1716 or 1717 in the little village of Brou, Hampshire, near Southampton , England. She was the elder daughter of a timber merchant who was also an unsalaried Baptist minister. Because of an accident in childhood, she was an invalid all her days, and suffered extreme sorrow when her fiancé was drowned on the eve of her wedding. She was devoutly consecrated to God, however. She manifested her poetic talent at an early age but did not publish until prevailed upon in 1760, when two volumes of poetry appeared. In all, she wrote 144 hymns, 34 psalms, and 30 short poems, using the pen name Theodosia. She died at Broughton on November 11, 1778.
The tune EL KADER WAS WITH THIS TEXT IN THE 1869 SDA hymnal Hymns and Tunes, and in subsequent SDA hymnals. But it has not been found in any of the standard current hymnals of other churches.
Stanza:
1 – 1 Chronicles 29:14
Ephesians 1:3
Text
1
My Maker and my King,
To Thee my all I owe;
Thy sovereign bounty is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow;
Thy sovereign bounty is the spring
Whence all my blessings flow.
2
The creature of Thy hand,
On Thee alone I live;
My God, Thy benefits demand
More praise than I can give.
My God, Thy benefits demand
More praise than I can give.
3
Lord, what can I impart
When all is Thine before?
Thy love demands a thankful heart;
The gift, alas! how poor.
Thy love demands a thankful heart;
The gift, alas! how poor.
4
O! let Thy grace inspire
My soul with strength divine;
Let every word and each desire
And all my days be Thine.
Let every word and each desire
And all my days be Thine.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a)1 Chron 29:14, Eph 1:3
Author
Anne Steele (1716-1778)
Hymn Tune
EL KADER
Metrical Number
S.M.
Composer
Unknown
Theme
ADORATION & PRAISE
