Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America ‎#508

508. 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. A-men.

3 My power is faint and low
Till I have learned to serve;
It wants the needed fire to glow,
It wants 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Make me a captive, Lord
• Author: George Matheson, 1842 - 1906
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1958
• Topic: The Life In Christ: The Inner Life; The Life In Christ: Consecration
• Copyright: Words by permission of the trustees of the late Miss Jane G. Matheson
• Notes: Now Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: LEOMINSTER
• Composer: George William Martin, 1828 - 81
• Arranger: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842 - 1900
• Meter: S. M. D.
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: Music by permission of Novello and Company, Ltd.
• Notes: Now Public Domain