Make Me a Captive, Lord

“Make Me a Captive, Lord” is a profound and paradoxical hymn by George Matheson that explores the biblical theme of true freedom through surrender to God. Written in the late nineteenth century, the hymn reflects Matheson’s deep spiritual insight and his ability to express complex theological truths in devotional language. Rather than presenting freedom as independence or self-rule, the hymn declares that genuine liberty is found only in willing submission to the lordship of Christ.

The central paradox of the hymn echoes Romans 6:16-18, where Scripture teaches that all people are servants to something, either sin or righteousness. Matheson boldly embraces this truth by asking to be made a captive of God, recognizing that bondage to Christ results in freedom from sin. The hymn confronts modern assumptions about autonomy and insists that surrender to God is not loss, but gain.

There is also a strong connection to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, which speaks of spiritual warfare and the bringing of every thought into captivity to Christ. The hymn reflects an awareness that the human will and mind are battlegrounds, and that victory comes only when they are yielded fully to God’s control. Matheson presents surrender not as weakness, but as spiritual strength.

Galatians 2:20 resonates throughout the hymn’s message. The idea of dying to self in order to live through Christ is central to Matheson’s prayer. Personal ambition, self-direction, and pride are laid aside so that Christ’s life may be fully expressed in the believer. This surrender is voluntary and loving, rooted in faith rather than compulsion.

The hymn also aligns with Philippians 3:7-9, where Paul counts all personal achievements as loss for the sake of knowing Christ. Matheson reflects this same perspective, valuing union with Christ above all earthly freedoms or successes. True richness and identity are found only in belonging wholly to Him.

“Make Me a Captive, Lord” remains a challenging and deeply biblical hymn. It calls believers to rethink freedom, power, and identity through the lens of the gospel. By inviting God to conquer the heart, the hymn leads worshipers into a fuller experience of grace, obedience, and true spiritual liberty in Christ.