568. Make Me a Captive, Lord

Verse 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.

Verse 1

My heart is weak and poor until it a master find;

It has no spring of action sure,

it varies with the wind.

It cannot freely move till Thou has wrought its chain;

Enslave it with Thy matchless love,

and deathless it shall reign.

Verse 2

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.