On My Heart Imprint Thine Image
On my heart imprint Thine image
This hymn embodies Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the center of faith and the transformative power of grace working through contemplation of Christ's suffering and redemptive work. It reflects the doctrine that believers are conformed to Christ's image through the Holy Spirit's work, grounded in justification by faith.
History & Background
Written by Cornelius Birkoff in 1895, this American hymn reflects Lutheran pietistic devotion of the late 19th century. It appears in major Lutheran hymnals including The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), Lutheran Book of Worship (1978), and Lutheran Service Book (2006).
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 426
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 102
- Lutheran Service Book — 422
- Lutheran Worship — 100
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 179
Bulletin Note
Written by Cornelius Birkoff in 1895, this hymn expresses the Lutheran conviction that believers are conformed to Christ's image through the Spirit's work, rooted in contemplation of His cross and redemptive suffering.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes how the Gospel's transformative grace—revealed in Christ's redemptive work—answers the Law's exposure of our sinfulness, conforming us to Christ through the Holy Spirit's continuous work.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Christocentric devotion Christ's image and presence Transformation through grace Discipleship and obedience