I Gave My Life For Thee

This hymn was inspired by a painting by Domenico Feti – Ecce Homo (Behold The Man) http://www.zinzendorf.com/feti.htm

After Count Zinzendorf saw this painting, he devoted himself to Christ, and became one of the most influential leaders in Christian history.

Later, Frances Havergal, age 17,  saw the same painting and jotted down the inscription below the painting – “I have done this for you; what have you done for me?”, and jotted down some words of a hymn that came to her mind. She worked on the hymn but grew discourgaed, and almost threw it in the fire. (It fell out of the grate). Later, her father found it, and wrote a tune for it, though the tune that Philip P. Bliss wrote is most frequently used today.

Lyrics: Frances R. Havergal
Music: Philip P. Bliss

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and raised up from the dead
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne
I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.
I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me?
I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee, down from My home above,
Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love;
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me?
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me?

Reflect on the words of this hymn as we approach the Easter period.

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