My God My Father While I Stray
My God, my Father, while I stray
My God My Father While I Stray is a hymn text by William Cowper (1772) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 418. Sung to BELMONT.
The hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on surrendering one's will to God's providential care, particularly during trials and affliction. It reflects the law-gospel dynamic where human weakness and failure lead to casting oneself upon divine mercy.
History & Background
Cowper wrote this hymn in 1772, drawing inspiration from Christ's prayer in Gethsemane. It was first published in the Olney Hymns collection and has remained a beloved expression of resignation to God's will.
Hymnal Appearances
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 418
Bulletin Note
Written by William Cowper in 1772, this hymn emerged from the poet's own battles with despair and doubt, making it a authentic witness to God's sustaining grace through mental and spiritual trial.
Preaching Connection
This hymn powerfully embodies the law-gospel movement: our confession of straying and weakness (the law) meets the revelation of God's fatherly mercy and providential guidance (the gospel), calling the hearer to surrender and trust.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From conviction of sin and burden (Law) to confidence in Christ's hearing and answering (Gospel) to assurance of complete provision (Gospel) to commitment in pilgrimage (Gospel)
Overview
Charlotte Elliott (author of 'Just As I Am'), an invalid for most of her life, wrote this hymn on the Third Petition, every stanza ending 'Thy will be done.' Teach me to say it from the heart on life's rough way (st. 1); in a dark path (st. 2); in grief for friends lost (st. 3); in surrendering what I prized, which was always yours (st. 4); in sickness and early decay (st. 5); give me your Spirit (st. 6); renew my will (st. 7); and I will sing it in heaven (st. 8).
Central theme: Learning to pray 'Thy will be done' through every loss, sickness and grief, by the Spirit's renewal of the will
Structure
Eight 8.8.8.4 stanzas ending 'Thy will be done.' Life's way (1) — dark path (2) — bereavement (3) — loss (4) — sickness (5) — Spirit (6) — renewal (7) — heaven (8).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: dark path, grief, loss, sickness; the will that finds it hard to say (2-5, 7). Gospel: 'My Father'; 'Thy sweet Spirit for its Guest'; 'Renew my will' (1, 6-7).
Confessional Connections
Matt 26:42 (TLH's text): 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.' SC Third Petition: God's will is done 'when he breaks and hinders every evil plan… and strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and faith until we die.' St. 4: 'it ne'er was mine; I have but yielded what was Thine' — 'The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away' (Job 1:21); we are stewards (1 Chr 29:14). St. 7: 'Renew my will… take away / All that now makes it hard to say' — the regenerate will is renewed by the Spirit, yet still struggles against the flesh (FC II.63-67; FC VI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Sickness; bereavement; funerals; Trinity season.
Historical Notes
Elliott (1789-1871), an invalid from age 32, published it in her Invalid's Hymn Book (1834-1839 editions).
About the Tune
ES IST KEIN TAG (Johann D. Meyer, 1692).
Scripture References
Matt 26:42 Matt 6:10 Ps 23:4 Ps 37:7 1 Thess 4:13 Job 1:21 1 Chr 29:14 2 Cor 12:9 Rom 8:15 Ezek 36:26 Phil 2:13 Rev 7:17
Stanza by Stanza
My God, my Father, while I wander far from home on life's rough road, teach me to say from the heart, 'Your will be done.'
Matt 26:42; Matt 6:10. 'Strangers and exiles on the earth' (Heb 11:13). Refrain: 'Thy will be done' — Christ's Gethsemane prayer (Matt 26:42) and the Third Petition.
- Scripture
- Matt 26:42, Matt 6:10, Heb 11:13
- Imagery & language
- Stray; life's rough way; from my heart.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — 'My Father.'
- Connection to previous
- From my heart.
Though my path is dark and my lot sad, let me be still and not grumble, or breathe the prayer divinely taught: 'Your will be done.'
'Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him' (Ps 37:7). 'The valley of the shadow' (Ps 23:4). The Lord's Prayer as 'the prayer divinely taught.'
- Scripture
- Ps 37:7, Ps 23:4
- Imagery & language
- Dark path; sad lot; murmur not.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — affliction; Gospel — the taught prayer.
- Connection to previous
- Dark path.
What if I sigh in lonely grief for beloved friends who are no longer near? I still want to answer submissively, 'Your will be done.'
'That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope' (1 Thess 4:13).
- Scripture
- 1 Thess 4:13, John 11:35
- Imagery & language
- Lonely grief; friends gone; submissive.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — bereavement; Gospel — hope.
- Connection to previous
- Bereavement.
Though you have called me to give up what I prized most, it was never mine; I have only given back what was yours: 'Your will be done.'
'The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD' (Job 1:21). 'All things come from you, and of your own have we given you' (1 Chr 29:14).
- Scripture
- Job 1:21, 1 Chr 29:14
- Imagery & language
- Resign; prized; never mine; yielded.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — all is God's gift.
- Connection to previous
- Never mine.
If grief or sickness should waste my life away in early decay, my Father, I still try to say, 'Your will be done.'
'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' (2 Cor 12:9). Elliott wrote as a lifelong invalid.
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 12:9, Ps 102:23-24
- Imagery & language
- Sickness; premature decay; still I strive.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sickness; Gospel — the Father.
- Connection to previous
- Sickness.
Only let my fainting heart be blessed with your sweet Spirit as its guest; my God, I leave the rest to you: 'Your will be done.'
'You have received the Spirit of adoption… Abba! Father!' (Rom 8:15). 'Casting all your anxieties on him' (1 Pet 5:7).
- Scripture
- Rom 8:15, 1 Pet 5:7
- Imagery & language
- Fainting heart; Spirit as Guest; leave the rest.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Spirit's indwelling.
- Connection to previous
- Spirit as Guest.
Renew my will day by day; blend it with yours and take away everything that now makes it hard to say, 'Your will be done.'
'A new heart I will give you' (Ezek 36:26). 'It is God who works in you, both to will and to work' (Phil 2:13). FC II.63-67.
- Scripture
- Ezek 36:26, Phil 2:13, Rom 12:2
- Imagery & language
- Will renewed; blended; hard to say.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — resistant will; Gospel — renewal.
- Connection to previous
- Renew my will.
Then, when I no longer breathe on earth, the prayer so often mixed with tears before I will sing on a happier shore: 'Your will be done.'
'God will wipe away every tear' (Rev 7:17). In heaven God's will is done perfectly (Matt 6:10: 'as it is in heaven').
- Scripture
- Rev 7:17, Matt 6:10
- Imagery & language
- Breathe no more; tears; happier shore.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — heaven's song.
- Connection to previous
- Happier shore.
Themes
Submission to God's will Suffering and acceptance Divine grace Trust amid affliction Prayer