GOSPEL >> Consecration
SDAH 329
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
All its Joys are but a name,
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.
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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: Take the World, but Give Me Jesus
Fanny Crosby’s heartfelt hymn begins each stanza with the surrendering cry, “Take the world,” echoing Paul’s bold confession: “The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). It reflects the believer’s choice to exchange all earthly gain for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. The unnamed tune by John R. Sweney, composed in 1879, gently supports the text’s theme of consecration and eternal hope. With heaven in view and Jesus as the soul’s treasure, this hymn invites us to examine where our affections truly lie.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
When the love of Jesus is our joy, it will not be difficult to renew our daily vows to turn from anything this world offers and to have Jesus in His rightful place in our hearts–a void that nothing else but He could ever fill. (Lesson 9, 1st Quarter 2023, Managing for the Master – Monday, “An Accursed Thing in the Camp” 2/27/23)
Each stanza of this hymn by Frances Jane Crosby (1820-1915; see Biographies) begins with the words “Take the world.” The phrase is similar to the apostle Paul’s renunciation: “The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14).
The tune, unnamed, was composed in 1879 by John Robson Sweney (1837-1899; see Biographies).
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
All its Joys are but a name,
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.
Refrain
Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above.
2
Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing, though billows roll.
3
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
Let me view his constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.
4
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision
Face to face my Lord I see.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Mark 8:36 (c) Prov 4:18 (d) Rev 22:4 (r) Eph 3:18, 19
Author
Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.Ref.
Composer
John R. Sweney (1837-1899)
