Father, I stretch my hands to Thee; No other help I know - Hymn Lyrics

1. Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
No other help I know.
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Oh! whither shall I go?

2. What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor to secure
My soul from endless death!

3. Surely Thou canst not let me die;
Oh, speak and I shall live;
And here I will unwearied lie,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give.

4. Author of faith! to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes;
Oh, let me now receive that gift!
My soul without it dies.

The hymn "Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee" is a powerful personal prayer of dependence and trust in God, written by Charles Wesley, a prolific 18th-century hymn writer and co-founder of the Methodist movement.

🖋 Hymn Summary

This hymn is a heartfelt cry for divine mercy, expressing deep reliance on God's grace and Spirit. It reflects themes of faith, helplessness, spiritual longing, and the atoning work of Christ.

📜 Hymn Story

Although often attributed to Charles Wesley, the most common version of this hymn is thought to have been adapted or expanded by other early Methodists or African-American spiritual traditions, especially given its long history in both Methodist hymnals and African-American worship. It was particularly beloved in Black churches during slavery and afterward, where it expressed the soul’s desperate need for divine intervention in suffering.

🧠 Verse Reflections

Verse 1:

"Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
No other help I know..."

The hymn opens with complete surrender. The singer acknowledges that there is no alternative source of help or hope outside of God. The rhetorical question, "Oh! whither shall I go?" echoes John 6:68 (KJV): "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."

Verse 2:

"What did Thine only Son endure..."

This verse highlights the suffering of Christ on behalf of sinners. It underscores the idea that Jesus died for the worshiper before they were even born—showing the depth and foresight of God's love.

Verse 3:

"Surely Thou canst not let me die..."

Here, the singer pleads for the Spirit of God, expressing a willingness to wait in faith until God answers. It mirrors Jacob wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32:26) and not letting go until the blessing is given.

Verse 4:

"Author of faith! to Thee I lift..."

This final stanza appeals directly to God as the Author and Giver of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Without that gift, the soul is described as dead—a reference to spiritual death and the necessity of the new birth through the Holy Spirit.

🎶 Musical Legacy

"Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee" became especially influential in African-American worship music, often sung in slow, meditative styles. It remains a standard in traditional gospel and Methodist hymnody.