Church Hymnary (4th ed.) ‎#534

534. Make me a captive, Lord

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 master find;
it has no spring of action sure,
it varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
till thou hast wrought its chain;
enslave it with thy matchless love,
and deathless it shall reign.

3 My power is faint and low
till I have learned to serve;
it lacks the needed fire to glow,
it lacks the breeze to nerve;
it cannot drive the world,
until itself be driven;
its flag can only be unfurled
when thou shalt breathe from heaven.

4 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Make me a captive, Lord
• Author: George Matheson (1842-1906)
• Meter: DSM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2005
• Scripture:
  2 Corinthians 2:14
  ;
  2 Corinthians 13:10
  ;
  John 13:23
  ;
  Mark 8:35
  ;
  Matthew 14:30
  ;
  Matthew 16:25
  ;
  Matthew 23:11
  ;
  Romans 6:13
  ;
  Romans 6:18
  ;
  Romans 6:22
  ;
  Romans 8:37
• Topic: Life in Christ: Our Response to Christ - In Discipleship

Tune Information

• Name: LEOMINSTER
• Composer: George William Martin (1828-1881)
• Arranger: Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842-1900)
• Meter: DSM
• Key: D Major