The hymn "O God My God My All Thou Art" is a beautiful and fervent expression of devotion, with a rich history rooted in the spiritual tradition of the Catholic Church, particularly tracing back to **St. Francis of Assisi**. Here's a breakdown of its history: 1. **Original Author & Context (13th Century):** * The spiritual essence and often the direct inspiration for this hymn come from **St. Francis of Assisi** (c. 1181/1182 – 1226). * St. Francis did not write it as a hymn in the modern sense, but as a deeply personal prayer or meditation in Latin. One common Latin phrasing attributed to his spirit, which forms the basis for many translations, is: * **"O Deus, ego amo te, / Et volo te amare / Plus quam me, plus quam me, / Plus quam me, plus quam me."** (O God, I love You, / And I want to love You / More than myself, more than myself, / More than myself, more than myself.) * This prayer encapsulates St. Francis's profound and selfless love for God, desiring nothing more than to love God above all else. 2. **English Translation (19th Century):** * The widely used English version, beginning "O God My God My All Thou Art," was translated by **Edward Caswall** (1814-1878). * Caswall was an Anglican priest who converted to Catholicism in 1847. He became a priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham, England, under St. John Henry Newman. * He was a prolific and highly influential translator of Latin hymns into English, making many ancient and medieval texts accessible to English-speaking congregations. * His translation of this particular prayer first appeared in his collection **"Lyra Catholica"** in **1849** or **1850**. 3. **Theological Theme:** * The hymn is a powerful expression of **adoration, complete self-giving, and intense, personal love for God**. It reflects a desire to love God purely for God's sake, without any thought of reward or self-interest. * It's often sung during or after communion, or as a general hymn of praise and devotion, emphasizing the believer's total surrender and affection for the Divine. 4. **Musical Settings (Tunes):** * Like many popular hymns, "O God My God My All Thou Art" has been set to several tunes over the years. * One of the most common and beloved tunes associated with it is **ST. AUGUSTINE**, composed by **Samuel Sebastian Wesley** (1810-1876), a renowned English organist and composer. This pairing is widely used in Catholic and some Anglican hymnals. * Other tunes may also be used depending on the hymnal or tradition. In summary, the hymn "O God My God My All Thou Art" is a direct descendant of the spiritual legacy of St. Francis of Assisi's ardent love for God, made accessible to English speakers through the masterful translation work of Edward Caswall in the mid-19th century, and often beautifully carried by the music of S.S. Wesley's ST. AUGUSTINE.