Common Praise ‎#518

518. 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 forged 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.

Text Information

• First Line: Make me a captive, Lord
• Author: George Matheson, 1842-1906
• Meter: 66 86 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  2 Corinthians 10:5
  ;
  Colossians 1:9-10
  ;
  Ephesians 4:1
  ;
  Hebrews 13:21

Tune Information

• Name: ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL
• Composer (attributed to): J. S. Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 66 86 D
• Key: D Major
• Source: G. C. Schemelli's Musikalisches Gesang-Buch, 1736