My gracious Lord, I own thy right

My gracious Lord, I own thy right. Philip Doddridge* (1702-1751). First published as no. 294 in Hymns founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures (Salop, 1755), edited by Doddridge’s friend Job Orton. It was entitled ‘CHRIST’s Service, the fruit of our Labours on Earth. Phil. i.22.’ The hymn is better understood as a response to verse 21 as well as to verse 22: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. Paul’s argument goes on to say that he would like to die and be with Christ, but he realises that his presence on earth is helpful to the Philippians. The hymn has been popular in the USA...