My Spirit on Thy Care

My spirit on Thy care

My Spirit on Thy Care is a hymn text by Paul Gerhardt (1656) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John Wesley. Found in lw 429, tlh 435.

The hymn exemplifies Lutheran piety in its emphasis on personal trust in God's providential care amid life's troubles, reflecting the comfort of the Gospel. It demonstrates the Reformation principle that believers may approach God directly with their anxieties, confident in Christ's intercession.

History & Background

Paul Gerhardt's original German hymn "Befiehl du deine Wege" was published in 1656 as part of his rich devotional poetry. John Wesley's English translation appeared in 1737, adapting it for English-speaking Methodist and later Lutheran congregations.

Hymnal Appearances

Lutheran Worship — 429
The Lutheran Hymnal — 435

Translation

John Wesley

Bulletin Note

Written by Paul Gerhardt in 1656, this hymn captures the essence of Lutheran piety: the courage to bring our deepest griefs directly to God, assured of His faithful care and Christ's intercession on our behalf.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human anxiety into the Gospel's proclamation of God's providential embrace, inviting believers to experience the freedom of direct access to the Father through Christ.

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

Henry Francis Lyte's short paraphrase of Psalm 31 from his Spirit of the Psalms (compare TLH 423). I rest my spirit on your care; you will not leave me to despair (st. 1); I trust you as good and just and count your choice the best (st. 2); whatever happens fulfils your will; I hide in your breast (st. 3); 'Let good or ill befall, / It must be good for me; / Secure of having Thee in all, / Of having all in Thee' (st. 4) — one of the finest quatrains in English hymnody.

Central theme: Committing one's spirit to the Savior's care, confident that having him is having all

Structure

Four short-meter quatrains. Recline (1) — trust (2) — every event (3) — all in Thee (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel throughout: 'Love divine'; 'Secure of having Thee in all.' Ill and storm acknowledged (3-4).

Confessional Connections

Ps 31 (TLH's text) — 'Into your hand I commit my spirit' (v. 5), Jesus' dying prayer (Luke 23:46). St. 3: 'Whate'er events betide, / Thy will they all perform' — God's providence governs all things (SC First Article; AC XIX). St. 4: 'It must be good for me' (Rom 8:28) — not because ill is good, but because God works through it; 'having all in Thee' (Rom 8:32; 1 Cor 3:21-23) — the believer's possession of all things in Christ (LC Creed II).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Evening; sickness; funerals; trust.

Historical Notes

From Lyte's The Spirit of the Psalms (1834).

About the Tune

POTSDAM (J. S. Bach, 1750, adapted; Church Psalter, 1854).

Scripture References

Ps 31:5 Ps 31:14-15 Luke 23:46 1 John 4:8 Ps 145:17 Rom 8:28 Ps 91:1-2 Ps 73:25-26 Rom 8:32 1 Cor 3:21-23

Stanza by Stanza

1 My spirit on Thy care,…

Blessed Savior, I rest my spirit on your care; you will not leave me to despair, for you are divine Love.

'Into your hand I commit my spirit' (Ps 31:5; Luke 23:46). 'God is love' (1 John 4:8).

Scripture: Ps 31:5, Luke 23:46, 1 John 4:8
Imagery & language: Spirit; care; not despair; Love divine.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — divine love.
Connection to previous: Recline.

trust comfort

2 In Thee I place my trust,…

I put my trust in you; I rest calmly on you; I know you are good and just and count your choice the best.

'I trust in you, O LORD; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hand' (Ps 31:14-15). 'The LORD is righteous in all his ways' (Ps 145:17).

Scripture: Ps 31:14-15, Ps 145:17
Imagery & language: Trust; calm rest; good and just; best choice.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — trust in God's goodness.
Connection to previous: Thy choice best.

trust providence

3 Whate'er events betide,…

Whatever happens, all of it carries out your will; I hide my head safe in your breast and do not fear the coming storm.

'He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High' (Ps 91:1-2). SC First Article; AC XIX on providence.

Scripture: Ps 91:1-2, Rom 8:28
Imagery & language: Events; Thy will; safe; storm.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — providence.
Connection to previous: Thy will performed.

providence protection

4 Let good or ill befall,…

Whether good or bad comes, it must be good for me — secure in having you in everything, and everything in you.

'All things work together for good' (Rom 8:28). 'Whom have I in heaven but you?' (Ps 73:25). 'All are yours, and you are Christ's' (1 Cor 3:21-23). 'Will he not… give us all things?' (Rom 8:32).

Scripture: Rom 8:28, Ps 73:25-26, 1 Cor 3:21-23, Rom 8:32
Imagery & language: Good or ill; Thee in all; all in Thee.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — all in Christ.
Connection to previous: All in Thee.

assurance providence union with Christ

Themes

Trust in God's providence Committing cares to God Peace in affliction Divine care and protection

Look Further

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