1 MASTER supreme, I look to thee
For grace and wisdom from above;
Vested with thy authority,
Endue me with thy patient love;
2 That, taught according to thy will
To rule my family aright,
I may the appointed charge fulfil,
With all my heart, and all my might.
3 Inferiors as a sacred trust
I from the sovereign Lord receive,
That what is suitable and just
Impartial I to all may give:
4 O'erlook them with a guardian eye;
From vice and wickedness restrain;
Mistakes and lesser faults pass by,
And govern with a looser rein.
5 The servant faithfully discreet,
Gentle to him, and good, and mild,
Him would I tenderly entreat,
And scarce distinguish from a child.
6 Yet let me not my place forsake,
The occasion of his stumbling prove,
The servant to my bosom take,
Or mar him by familiar love.
7 Order if some invert, confound,
Their Lord's authority betray,
I hearken to the gospel sound,
And trace the providential way.
8 As far from abjectness as pride,
With condescending dignity,
Jesus, I make thy word my guide,
And keep the post assigned by thee.
9 O could I emulate the zeal
Thou dost to thy poor servants hear!
The troubles, griefs, and burdens feel
Of souls entrusted to my care:
10 In daily prayer to God commend
The souls whom Jesus died to save;
And think how soon my sway may end,
And all be equal in the grave!
Master Supreme, I Look To Thee
Master Supreme, I Look To Thee Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Charles Wesley's hymn, "Master Supreme, I Look To Thee," is a profound meditation on Christian responsibility, particularly in roles of authority or oversight within a household or community. Composed by one of Methodism's most prolific hymn writers, it reflects the deep theological and practical concerns of the evangelical revival period regarding godly conduct in all aspects of life. While historical records place the hymn firmly within the 18th century, its continued relevance is highlighted by releases such as the song video dated May 26, 2021, bringing this classic text to contemporary audiences. The hymn, often associated with themes of domestic duty and servant leadership, draws heavily on biblical principles for guidance.
The initial stanzas establish the speaker's earnest appeal to God, the "Master supreme," for divine assistance – grace, wisdom, and patient love. This plea underscores a recognition that human capability alone is insufficient for righteous leadership or management. The specific context mentioned is the ruling or managing of a family "aright," fulfilling an "appointed charge" with dedication. The concept of those under one's care, "inferiors," being received as a "sacred trust" from God emphasizes the spiritual weight and accountability associated with such positions, demanding impartiality and justice in treatment, as guided by principles found in passages like Colossians 4:1, which speaks of masters having a Master in heaven.
The hymn continues to elaborate on the nature of this oversight. It calls for a "guardian eye" to protect and restrain from wrongdoing, while also advocating for leniency towards minor faults and mistakes, suggesting a balanced approach that avoids excessive strictness or a "looser rein." The text gives specific attention to the treatment of a "servant faithfully discreet," encouraging gentleness, goodness, and mildness, even suggesting treating them with a tenderness akin to that shown to a child. However, this compassion is immediately balanced by a caution against blurring necessary lines of authority to the point of causing the servant to "stumble" or being harmed by overly "familiar love," maintaining proper boundaries while still extending grace, echoing New Testament teachings on mutual respect and conduct within households (e.g., Ephesians 6:5-9).
Handling disobedience or the inversion of order presents another challenge addressed in the hymn. In such situations, the speaker commits to hearkening to the "gospel sound" and tracing the "providential way," indicating a reliance on divine guidance and God's overarching plan rather than purely human reaction. The hymn beautifully encapsulates a desired posture in leadership: maintaining a balance between "abjectness" (servility) and "pride," striving for "condescending dignity." This echoes the example of Jesus, whose word is taken as the guide, enabling the speaker to "keep the post assigned by thee," recognizing that their position is divinely appointed and requires Christ-like humility and wisdom, principles found throughout the Gospels and Epistles describing Christian leadership.
The final verses elevate the focus from management to spiritual care and humility. The speaker expresses a desire to emulate Christ's zeal for "poor servants," feeling the burdens and griefs of those entrusted to their care. This sentiment reflects the pastoral heart encouraged in scripture, for instance, in passages like 1 Peter 5:2-3 regarding shepherding the flock. The commitment to daily prayer for those under one's charge, specifically "souls whom Jesus died to save," highlights the ultimate spiritual dimension of leadership – seeing others through the lens of redemption. The hymn concludes with a sobering, yet ultimately humbling, reflection on the fleeting nature of earthly authority ("how soon my sway may end") and the ultimate equality shared by all in the grave, a stark reminder often found in wisdom literature (e.g., Ecclesiastes) and New Testament teachings on humility (e.g., James 4:14). This final thought grounds the entire aspiration for righteous conduct in a profound sense of perspective and eternal accountability.
