Introduction
“Take My Life and Let It Be” is a Christian hymn written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1874. The lyrics were inspired by her desire to dedicate her life to God and to serve Him with all her heart. The hymn is a prayer of consecration, asking God to take every aspect of the singer’s life and use it for His glory.
Verse 1
“Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.”
The first verse of the hymn is a declaration of surrender to God. The singer asks God to take their life and consecrate it to His service. They also ask God to take their moments and days and use them for His glory, allowing them to be in a constant state of praise and worship.
Verse 2
“Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.”
The second verse of the hymn speaks of using one’s physical body for God’s purposes. The singer asks God to take their hands and feet and use them to carry out His will. They desire for their movements to be guided by God’s love, and for their actions to bring beauty and swiftness to His mission.
Verse 3
“Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.”
The third verse of the hymn focuses on using one’s voice for God’s glory. The singer asks God to take their voice and allow them to sing only for Him. They also ask God to fill their lips with messages from Him, so that all that they speak may be a reflection of God’s truth and love.
Verse 4
“Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.”
The fourth verse of the hymn speaks of giving all possessions and abilities to God. The singer asks God to take their silver and gold, and not allow them to withhold anything from Him. They also ask God to take their intellect and use every power within them as He sees fit.
Verse 5
“Take my will and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.”
The fifth and final verse of the hymn is a complete surrender of the self to God. The singer asks God to take their will and make it His own, so that they may no longer seek their own desires. They also ask God to take their heart and make it His royal throne, so that He may reign in their lives completely.
Conclusion
“Take My Life and Let It Be” is a beautiful hymn of surrender and consecration. Its lyrics challenge believers to give every aspect of their lives to God and to use their time, talents, and resources for His glory. May we all be inspired by Frances Ridley Havergal’s words and seek to live lives that are fully consecrated to God’s service.
