How I Praise Thee, Precious Savior - Hymn With Lyrics

1. How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Refrain:
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

2. Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation,
All Thy loving message sound.

3. Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no pow’r but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.

4. Witnessing Thy pow’r to save me,
Setting free from self and sin;
Thou who boughtest to possess me,
In Thy fullness, Lord, come in.

5. Jesus, fill now with Thy Spirit
Hearts that full surrender know;
That the streams of living water
From our inner self may flow.

Scripture;  Acts 9:15; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 

Ephesians 5:18; 

2 Timothy 2:21

 

"How I Praise Thee, Precious Savior" is a hymn written by Frances Ridley Havergal, a 19th-century English poet and hymn writer known for her deep devotion to Christ and emphasis on consecrated Christian living. The hymn is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and surrender, celebrating the transformative power of Jesus in the believer’s life. It reflects Havergal’s longing to be wholly used by God—cleansed, filled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The refrain, “Channels only, blessed Master,” encapsulates the core message: the believer is not the source of goodness but a vessel through which God’s love and power flow. This aligns with the biblical call to be filled with the Spirit and to live a life of active service and witness. Though less known than some of her other hymns, like “Take My Life and Let It Be,” this hymn shares the same themes of surrender and sanctification. The tune most commonly associated with it was composed by B. B. McKinney, an influential American hymn writer, which helped secure its place in evangelical hymnals. Overall, the hymn stands as a beautiful reminder of the Christian’s calling to live not for self, but as a channel for Christ's work in the world.