My God Accept My Heart This Day
My God, accept my heart this day
The hymn emphasizes the Reformation principle of presenting one's whole self as a living sacrifice to God, reflecting Luther's theology of Christian vocation and sanctification. It balances divine grace with human response, calling believers to genuine interior devotion rather than mere external observance.
History & Background
Written by Matthew Bridges in 1848 as a hymn of personal consecration and heart dedication to God. It appeared in various 19th-century hymnals and was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 336.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Hymnal 1982 — 697
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 336
Bulletin Note
Matthew Bridges (1848) captures Reformation theology: God desires the inner gift of a surrendered heart, not external ritual. The tune ISAAK WATTS carries this plea from congregation to throne with clarity and strength.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Reformation tension: the Law demands complete self-surrender, yet the Gospel assures us that Christ's mediation makes our faltering devotion acceptable to God.
Themes
Consecration and dedication Personal devotion Surrender to God's will Heart religion