CHRISTIAN LIFE >> Humility
SDAH 568
Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms when by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.
Text
1
Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms when by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.
2
My heart is weak and poor until it a master find;
It has no spring of action sure, it varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move till Thou has wrought its chain;
Enslave it with Thy matchless love, and deathless it shall reign.
3
My will is not my own till Thou hast made it Thine;
If it would reach a monarch’s throne, it must its crown resign;
It only stands unbent, amid the clashing strife,
When on Thy bosom it has leant, and found in Thee its life.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) 2 Cor 12:9, 10
Author
George Matheson (1842-1906)
Year Published
1890
Hymn Tune
LEOMINSTER
Metrical Number
S.M.D.
Composer
George W. Martin (1828-1881)
Arranged
Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874 (1842-1900)
Hymn Score
Piano Accompaniment
Notes
Get to know the hymns a little deeper with the SDA Hymnal Companion. Use our song leader’s notes to engage your congregation in singing with understanding. Even better, involve kids in learning this hymn with our homeschooling materials.
The lyrics of the hymn tells us that as we learn to surrender ourselves to God, that is also the time were we can be free. As we render our sword to Him, that is the time where we can become conquerors. (Lesson 6, 1st Quarter 2021 -Tuesday, Fall of the Mountain King, 2/02/2021)
There is no hope in ourselves, every thought and desire is impure. Our only hope is in a total surrender to Jesus every moment. We cannot trust in ourselves and our choices, but we can trust Jesus to keep us safe as our faithful Shepherd if we will be His sheep. (Lesson 7, 1st Quarter 2023, Managing for the Master – Sunday, “The Rich Young Ruler” 2/14/2023)
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