My Jesus as Thou Wilt

My Jesus, as Thou wilt

My Jesus as Thou Wilt is a hymn text by Benjamin Schmolck (1704) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Translated by Gottfried Börnsen. Found in lw 343, th 688, tlh 420, umh 467.

The hymn exemplifies Lutheran piety by emphasizing the believer's conformity to God's will through participation in Christ's suffering, drawing strength from the Passion narrative. It demonstrates the Lutheran synthesis of law and gospel through resignation to divine providence coupled with confidence in Christ's redemptive work.

History & Background

Written by German Lutheran pastor Benjamin Schmolck in the early 18th century as a meditation on Christ's submission in Gethsemane. Translated into English by Gottfried Börnsen in 1938 and appeared in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941).

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 343
Trinity Hymnal — 688
The Lutheran Hymnal — 420
United Methodist Hymnal — 467

Translation

Gottfried Börnsen

Bulletin Note

Composed by Benjamin Schmolck, a German Lutheran pastor, in 1704. This hymn voices the German Reformed tradition's deepest conviction: that union with Christ's Passion is the soul's true anchor in all circumstances.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran paradox: the Law strips us of self-will, yet the Gospel—rooted in Christ's finished work—transforms submission into grateful participation in redemptive suffering.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

TLH 420. "Mein Jesu, wie du willst" by Benjamin Schmolck, Heilige Flammen der himmlisch-gesinnten Seele (c. 1704). A hymn of surrender to God's will on Gethsemane ("not my will, but thine": Matt 26:39). Jane Borthwick's translation appeared in Hymns from the Land of Luther (1854), which she produced with her sister Sarah Findlater. Hymnary counts about 667 hymnals, among the most widely used German translations in English. The usual tune is JEWETT, arranged from Weber (the Der Freischütz overture theme, from memory). From memory: Schmolck spent his ministry at Schweidnitz under Habsburg restrictions; Lutherans there had only a single wooden "Peace Church" allowed by the Peace of Westphalia, and in 1730 a stroke left him paralysed.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

Benjamin Schmolck's surrender hymn, translated by Jane Borthwick. Each stanza opens 'My Jesus, as Thou wilt' and closes 'My Lord, Thy will be done.' Lead me through sorrow or joy (st. 1); if poor, feed me with your Word, the manna (st. 2); if I must weep, you wept too (st. 3); at death I flee to your wounded side and follow where you went (st. 4); all will be well; I travel calmly home (st. 5).

Central theme: Following Jesus' will through poverty, tears and death, nourished by his Word and sheltered in his wounds

Structure

Five eight-line stanzas (6.6.6.6 D) framed by 'My Jesus, as Thou wilt… My Lord, Thy will be done.' Resignation (1) — the Word as bread (2) — tears (3) — death (4) — trust (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: poverty, tears, death (2-4). Gospel: 'Thy Word, so rich and sure'; Christ wept too; 'Thy wounded side'; 'All shall be well' (2-5).

Confessional Connections

Mark 14:36 (TLH's text): 'Abba, Father… not what I will, but what you will.' St. 2: when all else fails, 'Thy Word, so rich and sure… This manna from above' — the Word as the soul's true food (Matt 4:4; AC V). St. 3: Christ 'on earth hast wept and sorrowed oft alone' — his true humanity sympathizes (Heb 4:15; AC III). St. 4: 'clinging to Thee, go / Where Thou before hast gone' — Christ has gone through death ahead of us (Heb 2:14-15). 'My times are in Thy hand' (Ps 31:15).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Trinity season; sickness; funerals; affliction.

Historical Notes

Schmolck (1672-1737), pastor at Schweidnitz in Silesia, one of the most prolific Lutheran hymnwriters (over 1,100 hymns); published 1704. Borthwick (1813-1897) translated it in Hymns from the Land of Luther (1854).

About the Tune

DENBY (Charles J. Dale, 1904).

Scripture References

Mark 14:36 Ps 31:15 Matt 4:4 John 6:31-35 Amos 8:11 John 11:35 Heb 5:7 Heb 4:15 John 19:34 John 14:2-3 Rom 8:28 Heb 11:13-16

Stanza by Stanza

1 My Jesus, as Thou wilt;…

My Jesus, as you will; may your will be mine! I want to give up everything into your loving hand. Through sorrow or joy lead me as your own and help me always to say, 'My Lord, your will be done.'

'Not what I will, but what you will' (Mark 14:36). 'My times are in your hand' (Ps 31:15).

Scripture: Mark 14:36, Ps 31:15
Imagery & language: As Thou wilt; hand of love; sorrow or joy.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — resting in his hand.
Connection to previous: As Thou wilt.

surrender Third Petition

2 My Jesus, as Thou wilt.…

My Jesus, as you will. If I am needy and poor here, give me your people's bread, your Word, so rich and sure. Let my soul feed on this manna from above; and if everything else fails, my Lord, your will be done.

'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God' (Matt 4:4). The true bread from heaven (John 6:32-35).

Scripture: Matt 4:4, John 6:31-35
Imagery & language: Needy and poor; Word as bread; manna.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the Word as food.
Connection to previous: The Word as manna.

Word of God poverty means of grace

3 My Jesus, as Thou wilt.…

My Jesus, as you will. Though I see through many tears, do not let my star of hope grow dim or disappear. Since you wept on earth and often grieved alone, if I must weep with you, my Lord, your will be done.

'Jesus wept' (John 11:35). 'With loud cries and tears' (Heb 5:7). 'A high priest… able to sympathize with our weaknesses' (Heb 4:15).

Scripture: John 11:35, Heb 5:7, Heb 4:15
Imagery & language: Tears; star of hope; Christ wept.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ's sympathy.
Connection to previous: Weep with Thee.

humanity of Christ suffering hope

4 My Jesus, as Thou wilt.…

My Jesus, as you will. When death itself comes near, I will flee to your wounded side for refuge and, clinging to you, go where you have gone before. My times are in your hand: my Lord, your will be done.

The pierced side (John 19:34). Christ went through death before us (Heb 2:14-15). 'I go to prepare a place for you' (John 14:2-3). 'My times are in your hand' (Ps 31:15).

Scripture: John 19:34, Heb 2:14-15, John 14:2-3, Ps 31:15
Imagery & language: Death; wounded side; where Thou hast gone.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — refuge and forerunner.
Connection to previous: At death.

death wounds of Christ refuge

5 My Jesus, as Thou wilt.…

My Jesus, as you will. All will be well for me; I gladly trust every changing future scene to you. So I travel calmly on to my home above and sing in life or death, 'My Lord, your will be done.'

'All things work together for good, for those who love God' (Rom 8:28). 'They desire a better country' (Heb 11:16).

Scripture: Rom 8:28, Heb 11:13-16
Imagery & language: All well; future trusted; home above.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — calm trust.
Connection to previous: All shall be well.

trust pilgrimage heaven

Themes

Submission to God's will Resignation and trust Suffering and obedience Christ's passion Christian acceptance

Look Further

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