Jimmy Swaggart - I Surrender All Lyrics

I Surrender All Video

I Surrender All Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

"I Surrender All" is a hymn that has been sung and cherished by Christians all over the world for more than a century. The song was written by Judson W. Van DeVenter in 1896, and it was inspired by a personal experience he had while attending a Christian conference. In the song, Van DeVenter expresses the idea of surrendering everything to Jesus, including one's will, desires, and ambitions. The message of the song is that true peace and joy can only be found in complete surrender to God.

The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but one of the most well-known versions is by Jimmy Swaggart. Swaggart, a gospel singer and televangelist, recorded the song in 1977, and it quickly became one of his most popular recordings.

The Lyrics of "I Surrender All"

The opening verse of "I Surrender All" sets the tone for the entire song:

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

This verse expresses the idea that surrendering to Jesus is a free choice that we make out of love and trust. The second verse emphasizes the need to surrender our own desires and plans to Jesus:

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

This verse calls for a humbling of oneself before Jesus and a renunciation of worldly pleasures in favor of following Him. The third verse emphasizes the power and love that we can receive through surrendering to Jesus:

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

This verse expresses the idea that surrendering to Jesus can lead to a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit and a closer relationship with Him. The fourth verse emphasizes the completeness of surrender:

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

This verse expresses the idea that surrendering to Jesus involves giving oneself completely to Him and allowing Him to fill us with His love and power. The final verse expresses the joy and peace that can be found in surrendering to Jesus:

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

This verse expresses the idea that surrendering to Jesus can lead to a sense of full salvation and a feeling of joy and peace.

The Inspiration and Story Behind "I Surrender All"

Judson W. Van DeVenter, the writer of "I Surrender All," was a well-known evangelist and hymn writer in the late 19th century. He had a successful career as a teacher and artist before dedicating his life to ministry. In 1896, he attended a Christian conference where he experienced a moment of spiritual revelation. He later wrote about this experience:

"For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing."

This experience inspired Van DeVenter to write "I Surrender All," which became one of the most popular hymns of his time.

The Meaning and Significance of "I Surrender All"

The message of "I Surrender All" is that true peace and joy can only be found in complete surrender to God. The song emphasizes the idea that surrendering to Jesus is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of giving up one's own desires and plans in favor of following Him. The song encourages Christians to trust in Jesus completely and to allow Him to fill them with His love and power.

Biblical References in "I Surrender All"

The message of "I Surrender All" is rooted in many biblical references. The idea of surrendering to Jesus is found throughout the New Testament, including passages like Romans 12:1-2, which says:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

This passage emphasizes the idea that surrendering to Jesus involves offering oneself as a living sacrifice and allowing Him to transform one's mind and will.

Another biblical reference that is related to the message of "I Surrender All" is found in Matthew 16:24-25, which says:

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

This passage emphasizes the idea that following Jesus involves denying oneself and taking up one's cross, which is a metaphor for sacrificing one's own desires and plans in order to follow Him.

Practical Application of "I Surrender All" to Christian Living

The message of "I Surrender All" is one that is relevant to all Christians, regardless of their background or experience. The song encourages Christians to trust in Jesus completely and to allow Him to fill them with His love and power. This involves a willingness to surrender one's own desires and plans in favor of following Him.

One practical application of this message is to make surrender a regular part of one's prayer life. This could involve regularly praying for the strength and courage to surrender one's will to Jesus, as well as asking for His guidance and direction in all aspects of life. Another practical application is to seek out opportunities to serve others and to put their needs ahead of one's own desires and plans.

In conclusion, "I Surrender All" is a hymn that has stood the test of time and continues to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to Christians all over the world. The song emphasizes the importance of surrendering to Jesus completely and allowing Him to fill us with His love and power. By making surrender a regular part of our prayer life and seeking out opportunities to serve others, we can apply the message of this song to our daily lives and experience the joy and peace that come from following Jesus.