Unless stated otherwise, my source for hymn texts and tunes is The Lutheran Service Book.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

LSB #422 "On My Heart Imprint Your Image"

Biblical citations in the hymnal: Romans 8:29, 2 Peter 1:4, Ephesians 4:24, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Romans 8:29:  "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

2 Peter 1:4 (with verse 3 for context):  "3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Ephesians 4:24:  "...and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

2 Corinthians 3:18:  "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

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The text is public domain:
On my heart imprint Your image,
Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
That life's riches, cares, and pleasures
Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope's foundation,
And my glory and salvation!
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The hymn's "imprint Your image" apparently combines sections of Romans 8:29 ("to be conformed to the image of his Son"), Ephesians 4:24 ("the new self, created after the likeness of God"), and 2 Corinthians 3:18 ("transformed into the same image").  The list of "my hope's foundation, / And my glory and salvation" seems to refer to "his precious and very great promises" in 2 Peter 1:4.  Similarly, "life's riches, cares, and pleasures" seem to rename "the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

I'm not sure if it's intended as a reference, but the first line of the hymn also bears some resemblance to Deuteronomy 6:6: "'And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.'"