My Jesus, As Thou Wilt!

“My Jesus, As Thou Wilt!” is a deeply devotional hymn originally written in German by Lutheran pastor Benjamin Schmolck in the early 18th century and later translated into English by Jane Borthwick in the 19th century. It is a humble prayer of submission to God’s will in every circumstance of life, whether joyful or sorrowful. The opening line, “My Jesus, as Thou wilt,” sets the tone for the hymn’s entire message: a willingness to accept whatever the Lord allows, trusting His perfect wisdom and love.

The hymn’s stanzas explore various seasons of life times of joy, times of trial, times of waiting, and the eventual call home to eternal rest. In each case, the believer’s heart is taught to respond with surrender rather than resistance, echoing the spirit of Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Schmolck’s words reflect an unshakable confidence that the Lord’s will is always for the believer’s ultimate good, even when it is difficult to understand in the present moment. This trust rests firmly on the biblical truth that God is sovereign over every detail of life.

Over the centuries, “My Jesus, As Thou Wilt!” has comforted Christians in times of suffering, loss, and uncertainty. The gentle, meditative melody often associated with the hymn enhances its message of quiet resignation to God’s will. For many, singing these words becomes both a declaration of faith and a personal prayer. By drawing the believer’s attention away from self and toward the Lord’s unchanging character, the hymn encourages a life lived in full surrender, confident that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).