Jesus I Live to Thee

Jesus I Live to Thee is a hymn text by Henry Harbaugh (1860) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Found in lw 326, tlh 591. Sung to HENDON.

This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith, emphasizing the believer's existential response to Christ's redemptive work in daily living. It reflects the sanctification emphasis of Lutheran piety, calling believers to a life wholly dedicated to Christ as both Lord and Savior.

History & Background

Written by Henry Harbaugh, a Reformed pastor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this hymn was published in 'Harbaugh's Hymns' (1860). The text became widely adopted in German Reformed and Lutheran hymnals throughout the 19th century.

Hymnal Appearances

• Lutheran Worship — 326
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 591

Bulletin Note

Penned by German-American pastor Henry Harbaugh in 1860, this hymn exemplifies Lutheran Pietism's emphasis on sanctification—the believer's grateful, Spirit-empowered response to God's justifying grace through radical self-dedication.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Gospel's declaration of justification into the Law's lived imperative: because Christ has redeemed you entirely, give yourself entirely to Him in daily obedience and love.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Petition for peace → Appeal to God's mercy → Trust in divine faithfulness → Affirmation of God's supreme attributes

Background Research

TLH 591. Henry Harbaugh (b. Waynesboro, PA, 1817; d. 1867). He paid his own way through college and seminary as a carpenter, poet and teacher, with only one year of college and two of seminary, and was largely self-taught. He became the leading interpreter of Mercersburg theology (incarnation, sacraments, the organic life of the Church), spoke against slavery, drink and poverty, and was a beloved pastor in Lancaster before teaching at the German Reformed seminary (UCC history). The hymn (1850) is a meditation on living and dying in union with Christ (Rom 14:8). There is a German version, "Leb' ich, so leb' ich dir" (Hymnary). Episcopal Hymnal 1916 no. 218. See r225 (Harbaugh's "National Litany").

Overview

A short hymn by Henry Harbaugh on Romans 14:8. I live to Jesus, the Loveliest and Best: 'My life in Thee, Thy life in me' (st. 1). I die to him, and dying in him is life (st. 2). Like Paul, I do not know which is better, life or death (st. 3). Living or dying, I ask only to be his (st. 4).

Central theme: Belonging to Christ in life and death through mutual indwelling

Structure

Four short-meter quatrains (6.6.8.6), with the refrain line 'My life in Thee, Thy life in me' in st. 1 and 4. Living (1); dying (2); Paul's dilemma (3); belonging (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'Thy life in me'; 'To die in Thee is life'; 'I ask but to be Thine.'

Confessional Connections

Rom 14:8 (TLH's text): 'Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.' 'My life in Thee, Thy life in me' is the mystical union (unio mystica). Christ dwells in believers by faith (Gal 2:20; FC III.54 distinguishes this indwelling from the righteousness of faith, which is Christ's obedience imputed). St. 3 is Phil 1:21-24, Paul's 'hard pressed between the two.' The hymn teaches the Christian's freedom toward death: neither clinging to life nor despising it, but belonging to Christ (SC Creed II, 'that I may be His own').

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Funerals; general; confirmation; dedication.

Historical Notes

Harbaugh (1817-1867), German Reformed pastor and professor at Mercersburg. He wrote the hymn in 1850.

About the Tune

TENBURY (Frederick A. G. Ouseley, 1861).

Scripture References

Rom 14:7-8 Song 5:16 Gal 2:20 John 15:4-5 John 11:25-26 Phil 1:21-24 Rev 14:13 Col 3:3-4 John 14:2-3

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Dedication to Christ Christian living Surrender and obedience Personal faith Service to God

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Jesus I Live to Thee" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "HENDON" ↗