THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMNS.
THE STORY BEHIND "WHAT SHALL I DO MY GOD TO LOVE, MY LOVING GOD TO PRAISE ? "
Few hymns capture the quiet wonder of salvation the way “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” does. The hymn is a heartfelt reflection on grace, an honest response from a believer overwhelmed by the love of God.
The text was written by Benjamin Hoadly (1676–1761), an English clergyman who later became the Bishop of Winchester in the Church of England. Hoadly originally wrote the poem in the early 18th century as a devotional meditation rather than a congregational hymn. His words express the deep humility of someone contemplating God’s mercy and asking how a human being could ever repay such love.
At the center of the hymn is a profound question: How can a believer adequately respond to the love and sacrifice of Christ? Hoadly’s answer unfolds through the verses, not through grand gestures, but through a life of devotion, obedience, gratitude, and praise.
The hymn later gained wider recognition when it was paired with a beautiful tune by William H. Monk (1823–1889), a respected English church musician and editor of the famous hymnal Hymns Ancient and Modern. Monk’s melody gave Hoadly’s reflective text a gentle, reverent musical setting that helped it find its place in Anglican worship.
One of the most striking lines in the hymn captures the heart of Christian response:
“What shall I do, my God, to love,
My loving God to praise?”
Rather than offering a dramatic answer, the hymn points toward faithful living, walking humbly with God, trusting in Christ, and allowing gratitude to shape everyday life.
Over the centuries, the hymn has become cherished in traditional liturgical churches, particularly within Anglican and Episcopal congregations. Its tone is contemplative rather than triumphant, making it especially suitable for reflective seasons such as Lent, when believers are invited to examine their hearts and renew their devotion.
Today, “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” remains a timeless reminder that the Christian life begins with grace and is sustained by a continual response of love and gratitude to God.
THE STORY BEHIND "WHAT SHALL I DO MY GOD TO LOVE, MY LOVING GOD TO PRAISE ? "
Few hymns capture the quiet wonder of salvation the way “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” does. The hymn is a heartfelt reflection on grace, an honest response from a believer overwhelmed by the love of God.
The text was written by Benjamin Hoadly (1676–1761), an English clergyman who later became the Bishop of Winchester in the Church of England. Hoadly originally wrote the poem in the early 18th century as a devotional meditation rather than a congregational hymn. His words express the deep humility of someone contemplating God’s mercy and asking how a human being could ever repay such love.
At the center of the hymn is a profound question: How can a believer adequately respond to the love and sacrifice of Christ? Hoadly’s answer unfolds through the verses, not through grand gestures, but through a life of devotion, obedience, gratitude, and praise.
The hymn later gained wider recognition when it was paired with a beautiful tune by William H. Monk (1823–1889), a respected English church musician and editor of the famous hymnal Hymns Ancient and Modern. Monk’s melody gave Hoadly’s reflective text a gentle, reverent musical setting that helped it find its place in Anglican worship.
One of the most striking lines in the hymn captures the heart of Christian response:
“What shall I do, my God, to love,
My loving God to praise?”
Rather than offering a dramatic answer, the hymn points toward faithful living, walking humbly with God, trusting in Christ, and allowing gratitude to shape everyday life.
Over the centuries, the hymn has become cherished in traditional liturgical churches, particularly within Anglican and Episcopal congregations. Its tone is contemplative rather than triumphant, making it especially suitable for reflective seasons such as Lent, when believers are invited to examine their hearts and renew their devotion.
Today, “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” remains a timeless reminder that the Christian life begins with grace and is sustained by a continual response of love and gratitude to God.
THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMNS.
THE STORY BEHIND "WHAT SHALL I DO MY GOD TO LOVE, MY LOVING GOD TO PRAISE ? " ✝️
Few hymns capture the quiet wonder of salvation the way “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” does. The hymn is a heartfelt reflection on grace, an honest response from a believer overwhelmed by the love of God.
The text was written by Benjamin Hoadly (1676–1761), an English clergyman who later became the Bishop of Winchester in the Church of England. Hoadly originally wrote the poem in the early 18th century as a devotional meditation rather than a congregational hymn. His words express the deep humility of someone contemplating God’s mercy and asking how a human being could ever repay such love.
At the center of the hymn is a profound question: How can a believer adequately respond to the love and sacrifice of Christ? Hoadly’s answer unfolds through the verses, not through grand gestures, but through a life of devotion, obedience, gratitude, and praise.
The hymn later gained wider recognition when it was paired with a beautiful tune by William H. Monk (1823–1889), a respected English church musician and editor of the famous hymnal Hymns Ancient and Modern. Monk’s melody gave Hoadly’s reflective text a gentle, reverent musical setting that helped it find its place in Anglican worship.
One of the most striking lines in the hymn captures the heart of Christian response:
“What shall I do, my God, to love,
My loving God to praise?”
Rather than offering a dramatic answer, the hymn points toward faithful living, walking humbly with God, trusting in Christ, and allowing gratitude to shape everyday life.
Over the centuries, the hymn has become cherished in traditional liturgical churches, particularly within Anglican and Episcopal congregations. Its tone is contemplative rather than triumphant, making it especially suitable for reflective seasons such as Lent, when believers are invited to examine their hearts and renew their devotion.
Today, “What Shall I Do, My God, to Love” remains a timeless reminder that the Christian life begins with grace and is sustained by a continual response of love and gratitude to God.
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