Congregational Songs – New Songs for Corporate Worship

New Music Tuesdays – Fill Thou My Life

May 31, 2010

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I wrote the tune to these lyrics. Seriously, 2003 sounds like forever ago, but the reason I am posting this song is that it’s one that never seems to lose its passion. Horatio Bonar, a Scottish minister, penned these words in 1866. They speak of the daily desire he had to glorify his heavenly Father in every detail of his life.

At Grace, we have used this song extensively as a congregational response after the Word has been preached. It’s words are a prayer for the daily practical application of the gospel – that God would grant “a life made up of praise in every part.”

Fill Thou My Life

Fill Thou my life, O Lord, my God, in every part with praise / That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and Thy ways / Not for the lip of praise alone, nor e’en the praising heart / I ask but for a life made up of praise in every part / Praise in the common things of life, its goings out and in / Praise in each duty and each deed, however small and mean / Fill every part of me with praise, let all my being speak / Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord, poor though I be, and weak / So shalt Thou Lord, from me, e’en me, receive the glory due / And so shall I begin on earth the song forever new / So shall no part of day or night from sacredness be free / But all my life, in every step, be fellowship with Thee.

Get the chart and lead sheet here.

Filed under: New Music Tuesdays,Our Songs