More Like the Master
I’d never heard of this hymn until fall of 2014, when
I found it in Soul-Stirring Songs & Hymns (#320). I
took a train ride to Gainesville, Texas, around the
same time I learned it, so this tune will always make
me think of that town. Textually, though, this hymn is
Charles Gabriel’s version of “To God Be the
Glory.” In a similar message, the singer is asking
God to help them be more like Him. The verses describe
the characteristics the singer wishes for (“...(+)
More Like the Master
I’d never heard of this hymn until fall of 2014, when
I found it in Soul-Stirring Songs & Hymns (#320). I
took a train ride to Gainesville, Texas, around the
same time I learned it, so this tune will always make
me think of that town. Textually, though, this hymn is
Charles Gabriel’s version of “To God Be the
Glory.” In a similar message, the singer is asking
God to help them be more like Him. The verses describe
the characteristics the singer wishes for (“more of
His meekness, more humility, more zeal to labor, more
courage to be true…” etc.) and the chorus is a
prayer through which that can be achieved (“Take Thou
my heart, and make it all Thine own.”) Because of
our sin nature, we will never be perfect while on this
earth, but God will happily answer our prayers when we
ask to do His will! Through His strength, we can
become More Like the Master indeed.
1. More like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do.
2. More like the Master is my daily prayer,
More strength to carry crosses I must bear;
More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in,
More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win.
3. More like the Master I would live and grow,
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More of the Master I long to ever be.
Chorus: Take Thou my heart,
I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart
And make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin,
O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me
Thine forevermore.
Shorter version also included.