Let Him To Whom We Now Belong
Verse 1
LET Him to whom we now belong His sovereign right assert, And take up every thankful song And every loving heart.
Verse 2
He justly claims us for his own, Who bought us with a price; The Christian lives to Christ alone, To Christ alone he dies.
Verse 3
Jesus, Thine own at last receive, Fulfil our hearts’ desire, And let us to thy glory live, And in thy cause expire.
Verse 4
Our souls and bodies we resign; With joy we render thee Our all, no longer ours, but Thine To all eternity. Amen.
Background: Let Him To Whom We Now Belong
"Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" is a profoundly influential Christian hymn, deeply rooted in the Methodist tradition and cherished across many denominations for its powerful message of dedication and surrender to God.
Here's a breakdown of its history:
---
The History of "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" **1. The Author:** * The hymn was written by **Charles Wesley** (1707–1788), one of the most prolific and significant hymn writers in Christian history. He penned over 6,500 hymns, many of which remain cornerstones of Christian worship today. **2. Origins and Publication:** * **Date:** It was written in **1749**. * **Original Context:** This hymn is actually the **first verse of a longer hymn** (originally 14 stanzas!) written specifically for a "Covenant Renewal Service." * **First Appearance:** It was published in the collection **"Hymns and Sacred Poems"** (1749). **3. The Covenant Service Connection:** * **Methodist Tradition:** The Methodist movement, founded by Charles and his brother John Wesley, placed great emphasis on the concept of a "Covenant Service." This was an annual event where believers would publicly and corporately renew their personal covenant (promise) with God, reaffirming their commitment to live for Him. * **Purpose:** Charles Wesley wrote this hymn, and the longer poem it comes from, as a central piece for these solemn services. It served as a communal declaration of faith and an act of total surrender. **4. The Hymn's Meaning and Theme:** * **Total Dedication:** The core message is one of unconditional commitment and total surrender to Christ. It expresses the believer's desire to wholly belong to God, to live for Him, and to be guided by His will. * **Renewal of Vows:** It mirrors the baptismal vows and the ongoing Christian journey of dedication. * **Key Themes:** * Belonging to Christ * Living for God's glory * Acceptance of God's will * Rejoicing in God's ownership **5. Musical Settings (Tunes):** * While Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics, he did not typically compose the music for his hymns. Over the centuries, "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" has been paired with various tunes. * **Common Tunes:** Some popular tunes it is sung to include: * **DUKE STREET** (often associated with "Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun") * **BELMONT** * **ST. PETERSBURG** (historically) **6. Modern Usage and Legacy:** * **Continuing Relevance:** Despite being nearly 300 years old, the hymn remains incredibly popular and relevant. * **Covenant Services:** It is still a foundational hymn for Covenant Renewal Services, especially within the Methodist tradition, often held at the beginning of a new year or during Watch Night services. * **General Worship:** It is also widely used in general worship services, dedications, baptismal reaffirmations, and any occasion where believers are called to renew their commitment to Christ. * **Timeless Message:** Its enduring popularity speaks to the universal Christian desire for a deep, committed relationship with God and the power of its clear, unwavering declaration of faith. --- In essence, "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" is more than just a hymn; it's a powerful statement of Christian identity and purpose, forged in the fervent spirituality of the early Methodist movement and continuing to inspire believers to live fully for God.
The History of "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" **1. The Author:** * The hymn was written by **Charles Wesley** (1707–1788), one of the most prolific and significant hymn writers in Christian history. He penned over 6,500 hymns, many of which remain cornerstones of Christian worship today. **2. Origins and Publication:** * **Date:** It was written in **1749**. * **Original Context:** This hymn is actually the **first verse of a longer hymn** (originally 14 stanzas!) written specifically for a "Covenant Renewal Service." * **First Appearance:** It was published in the collection **"Hymns and Sacred Poems"** (1749). **3. The Covenant Service Connection:** * **Methodist Tradition:** The Methodist movement, founded by Charles and his brother John Wesley, placed great emphasis on the concept of a "Covenant Service." This was an annual event where believers would publicly and corporately renew their personal covenant (promise) with God, reaffirming their commitment to live for Him. * **Purpose:** Charles Wesley wrote this hymn, and the longer poem it comes from, as a central piece for these solemn services. It served as a communal declaration of faith and an act of total surrender. **4. The Hymn's Meaning and Theme:** * **Total Dedication:** The core message is one of unconditional commitment and total surrender to Christ. It expresses the believer's desire to wholly belong to God, to live for Him, and to be guided by His will. * **Renewal of Vows:** It mirrors the baptismal vows and the ongoing Christian journey of dedication. * **Key Themes:** * Belonging to Christ * Living for God's glory * Acceptance of God's will * Rejoicing in God's ownership **5. Musical Settings (Tunes):** * While Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics, he did not typically compose the music for his hymns. Over the centuries, "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" has been paired with various tunes. * **Common Tunes:** Some popular tunes it is sung to include: * **DUKE STREET** (often associated with "Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun") * **BELMONT** * **ST. PETERSBURG** (historically) **6. Modern Usage and Legacy:** * **Continuing Relevance:** Despite being nearly 300 years old, the hymn remains incredibly popular and relevant. * **Covenant Services:** It is still a foundational hymn for Covenant Renewal Services, especially within the Methodist tradition, often held at the beginning of a new year or during Watch Night services. * **General Worship:** It is also widely used in general worship services, dedications, baptismal reaffirmations, and any occasion where believers are called to renew their commitment to Christ. * **Timeless Message:** Its enduring popularity speaks to the universal Christian desire for a deep, committed relationship with God and the power of its clear, unwavering declaration of faith. --- In essence, "Let Him, To Whom We Now Belong" is more than just a hymn; it's a powerful statement of Christian identity and purpose, forged in the fervent spirituality of the early Methodist movement and continuing to inspire believers to live fully for God.
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