Jesus, Master, whose I am

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) wrote this hymn in December, 1865, for her nephew, J. H. Shaw. It was first printed in J. & R. Parlane’s leaflets, then later published in two of her books, The Ministry of Song (1869, pp. 42-43) and Life Mosaic (1879, pp. 24-25). It is written in 7s. meter, with 6 lines per stanza. The hymn appears often with the tunes Graceham and Wells.

1. Jesus, Master, whose I am,

Purchased Thine alone to be,

By Thy blood, O spotless Lamb,

Shed so willingly for me;

Let my heart be all Thine own,

Let me live for Thee alone.

2. Other lords have long held sway;

Now, Thy name alone to bear;

Thy dear voice alone obey,

Is my daily, hourly prayer.

Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

Nothing else my joy can be.

3. Jesus, Master, I am Thine!

Keep me faithful, keep me near;

Let Thy presence in me shine

All my homeward way to cheer,

Jesus! at Thy feet I fall,

Oh, be Thou my All-in-all.

4. Jesus, Master, whom I serve,

Though so feebly and so ill,

Strengthen hand and heart and nerve,

All Thy bidding to fulfill;

Open Thou mine eyes to see

All the work Thou hast for me.

5. Lord, Thou needest not, I know,

Service such as I can bring,

Yet I long to prove and show

Full allegiance to my king.

Thou an honour[i] art to me;

Let me be a praise to Thee.

6. Jesus, Master, wilt Thou use

One who owes Thee more than all?

As Thou wilt! I would not choose,

Only let me hear Thy call.

Jesus! let me always be

In Thy service glad and free.

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[i] In stanza 5, line 5 (in Life Mosaic), the word “honour” carries this note – “See marginal reading of 1 Peter ii. 7.” Also the first 3 stanzas are on page 24 under the heading “Whose I Am,” while the last three stanzas are on page 25 under the heading “Whom I Serve.” The hymn is labeled in the same manner on pages 42 and 43 of The Ministry of Song.