Take My Life, and Let It Be
“Lord, take me, and I will forever be only & all for Thee”
1 Take my life and let it be
Consecrated[1], Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days -
Let them flow in ceaseless praise[2],
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
[1] consecrated = to be “set apart for a high purpose,” to be dedicated, devoted, to be sanctified.
[2] restated: “take my time—and let it glorify and praise you.” Requires full surrender
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,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.[3]
[3] restated: take my movements—wherever I go, let it be motivated by God, and His love for His people. May this happen swiftly, without delay!
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,
Filled with messages from Thee.[4]
[4] restated: take my voice—whether we speak with someone, or we make a joyful noise in song, let it filled with truth and love
4 Take my silver and my gold -
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose.
[5] mite = the smallest coin, a very little bit of money.
[6] restated: take my resources—intellect and power—and allocate them as the Lord puts on one’s heart and creates opportunities.
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,
It shall be Thy royal throne.[7]
[7] restated: take my will and make it Yours. My heart fully surrendered, with Christ ruling, so that You can direct my steps.
6 Take my love - my Lord - I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store; [8]
Take myself - and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.[9]
[8] a reference to when Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and used her hair to dry Him, as an act of love. The equivalent of how we can do that in the present day is to obey Him, instead of our own desires.
[9] restated: take all of me.
This hymn helps break down how to apply what it means to obey God. Everywhere you go and what you do, your voice, lips, every word you speak, your money, your heart, what you will do in our future, and your affections—in summary, your whole life, and give it to the Lord. If you implement this, you will be in good shape.
Author: Frances Ridley Havergal
Composer: H. A. César Malan; O. D. Hall, Jr.
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7
Tune name: HENDON