Lyrics
1 O FOR a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free!
A heart that always feels thy blood
So freely spilt for me!
2 A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer's throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone;
3 An humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true, and clean;
Which neither life nor death can part
From him that dwells within;
4 A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;
Perfect, and right, and pure, and good,
A copy, Lord, of thine!
5 Thy tender heart is still the same,
And melts at human woe:
Jesus, for thee distressed I am,
I want thy love to know.
6 My heart, thou know'st, can never rest,
Till thou create my peace;
Till, of my Eden re-possessed,
From every sin I cease.
7 Fruit of thy gracious lips, on me
Bestow that peace unknown,
The hidden manna, and the tree
Of life, and the white stone.
8 Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart!
Come quickly from above,
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of love.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“O for a Heart to Praise My God” is a prayer for inward renewal shaped by the language of Christian holiness. Each stanza asks for a heart freed from sin, governed by Christ, made humble, and filled with divine love. The hymn does not treat praise as words alone; praise arises from a life transformed in thought, desire, character, and obedience. Its repeated attention to the heart makes spiritual change the center of worship.
Several biblical images guide the prayer. The plea for a clean and steadfast heart closely echoes Psalm 51:10, while the request for renewed thoughts aligns with Romans 12:2. Later references to hidden manna, the tree of life, a white stone, and a new name draw directly from the promises in Revelation 2. The result is both confession and hope: Christ is asked to reign within, grant peace, and form a character marked by purity, meekness, and love.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 51:10 The psalm asks God to create a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit.
- Romans 12:2 Paul describes transformation through the renewing of the mind.
- Revelation 2:17 The promise includes hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name.