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On My Heart Imprint Thine Image

On my heart imprint Thine image

On My Heart Imprint Thine Image is a hymn text by Cornelius Birkoff (1895) in 8.7.8.7 meter. Found in CW21 405, CW93 319, ELH 593, elw 426. Sung to LIEBSTER JESU.

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

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 405
  • Christian Worship — 319
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 593
  • 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

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

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.

Danish 'Skriv dig, Jesu, paa mit Hjerte' by Thomas Kingo (1634-1703), Denmark's great baroque hymn poet and Bishop of Funen; from the 'Winter Part' (Vinterparten) of his Spiritual Songs (Odense, 1689). English by Peer O. Strømme (1856-1921), a Norwegian-American Lutheran pastor and writer, so it reached TLH through the Norwegian Synod. Sung to the Genevan Psalm 42 tune (FREU DICH SEHR). Source: hymnary.org (Kingo's bishopric from memory).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Trinity 23 (2×)
  • Holy Cross (1×)
  • Lent 3 (1×)
  • Lent 4 (1×)
  • Palm Sunday (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Ash Wednesday (1×)
  • Holy Cross (1×)
  • Lent 1 (1×)
  • Lent 2 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

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

A single-stanza Danish prayer by Bishop Thomas Kingo, often sung at the end of Lenten or Good Friday services. It asks Christ to write his image on the heart so that nothing can erase it, and supplies the 'superscription' to be written: Jesus crucified for me is my life, foundation, glory, and salvation. The image draws on the inscription Pilate placed over the cross (Luke 23:38).

Central theme: Christ crucified for me written indelibly on the heart

Structure

One stanza: petition (lines 1-4), inscription (lines 5-8).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel; worldly riches, cares, and pleasures named as threats to faith.

Confessional Connections

Christ 'for me' as the heart of faith (Small Catechism, Second Article). Word written on the heart by the Spirit.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Close of Lenten or Good Friday services; post-communion; confirmation.

Historical Notes

Kingo (1634-1703), Bishop of Fyn, was Denmark's foremost hymnwriter. Strömme (1856-1921) was a Norwegian-American editor.

About the Tune

DER AM KREUZ (Johann B. König, 1738).

Scripture References

Luke 23:38 Jer 31:33 2 Cor 3:3 Gal 2:20 1 Cor 2:2 Gal 6:14 Luke 8:14

Stanza by Stanza

1 On my heart imprint Thine image…

The singer asks Jesus, King of grace, to imprint his image on his heart so that life's riches, cares, and pleasures cannot erase it; the inscription is to read: Jesus, crucified for me, is my life, the foundation of my hope, my glory and salvation.

The image of writing on the heart draws on the new covenant promise: 'I will write it on their hearts' (Jer 31:33; 2 Cor 3:3). The threats to faith — 'riches, cares, and pleasures' — are exactly the thorns of the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:14). The 'superscription' alludes to Pilate's inscription over the cross (Luke 23:38): Pilate wrote 'King of the Jews'; the believer's heart is to read 'Jesus, crucified for me.' That phrase is the heart of Lutheran faith — the pro me (Gal 2:20; 1 Cor 2:2). Four titles close the stanza: life (Col 3:4), hope's foundation (1 Cor 3:11), glory (Gal 6:14), salvation (Acts 4:12). It is a compact creed and prayer in eight lines.

Scripture
Jer 31:33, 2 Cor 3:3, Luke 8:14, Luke 23:38, Gal 2:20, 1 Cor 2:2, Col 3:4, 1 Cor 3:11, Gal 6:14, Acts 4:12
Imagery & language
Imprinted image; superscription; erasure.
Law / Gospel
Gospel — Christ crucified for me.
Connection to previous
Single stanza.
pro me theology of the cross perseverance new covenant

Themes

Christocentric devotion Christ's image and presence Transformation through grace Discipleship and obedience

Look Further