I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus
I am trusting thee, Lord Jesus
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith through the intimate language of personal trust in Christ's finished work. It combines assurance of salvation with the call to Christian discipleship and sanctification, reflecting the Gospel's transformative power in the believer.
History & Background
Written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1874, this hymn reflects her mature theology of trust and consecration to Christ. It was first published in her collection and has become a standard hymn of personal faith and assurance in Christian hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 731
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 460
- Lutheran Service Book — 729
- Lutheran Worship — 408
- Trinity Hymnal — 672
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 428
Bulletin Note
Written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1874, this hymn of personal trust reflects evangelical conviction and deep assurance in Christ's atoning work—hallmarks of Victorian hymn-writing at its finest.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's answer to the Law's demands: our complete surrender to Christ becomes possible and joyful only through faith in his finished redemption, not through our striving.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting
Themes
Trust in Christ Assurance of salvation Faith Sanctification Surrender to God