The story behind the hymn
Judson Van DeVenter was a supervisor of art in Pennsylvania schools, torn for five years between a career in art and the call to evangelism. The hymn was written, he said, in memory of the time when, after that long struggle, I surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service.
His surrender bore fruit beyond his own ministry: years later a young student named Billy Graham sat under his influence at the Florida Bible Institute.
The hymn remains the church's simplest act of consecration — repeated, sung slowly, hands open: Lord, I give myself to Thee; fill me with Thy love and power.
The lyrics
All to Jesus I surrender,All to Him I freely give;I will ever love and trust Him,In His presence daily live.
Refrain
I surrender all, I surrender all;All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender,Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine;Let me feel the Holy Spirit,Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus I surrender,Lord, I give myself to Thee;Fill me with Thy love and power,Let Thy blessing fall on me.
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Present your bodies a living sacrifice — the hymn's theology.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily.