Lyrics
Verse 1
I'm not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend his cause,
Maintain the honour of his word,
The glory of his cross.
Verse 2
Jesus, my God! I know his name,
His name is all my trust;
Nor will he put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost.
Verse 3
Firm as his throne his promise stands,
And he can well secure
What I've committed to his hands,
Till the decisive hour.
Verse 4
Then will he own my worthless name
Before his Father's face;
And in the new Jerusalem
Appoint my soul a place.
Meaning & Inspiration
"I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord" opens with a direct declaration of loyalty, refusing embarrassment over defending Christ's cause or honoring both his word and his cross. That opening stance sets the tone for a hymn built on confident, public confession rather than private or hesitant faith.
The second verse grounds that confidence in Christ's name specifically, describing trust placed entirely there and expressing certainty that such trust will not end in shame. The third verse extends that assurance into security, comparing God's promise to the permanence of his throne and describing personal commitment as safely secured until a final, decisive hour.
The closing verse looks toward final vindication, anticipating Christ acknowledging the singer's name before the Father and granting a place in the new Jerusalem. Written by Charles Wesley in classic hymn form, the song moves from present confession to future hope, treating public loyalty to Christ now as directly tied to acknowledgment before God later.
Related Scripture
- 2 Timothy 1:12 Declares confidence and lack of shame in what has been entrusted to Christ, the sentiment directly echoed in the hymn's title and opening verse.
- Matthew 10:32 Promises that Christ will acknowledge before the Father those who acknowledge him, echoed in the hymn's closing verse.