Renew me o Eternal Light is a timeless Christian hymn that expresses a heartfelt prayer for spiritual renewal, cleansing from sin, and a transformed heart aligned with God’s will. Rooted in biblical truth, this hymn reflects a believer’s longing for divine light, obedience to God’s Word, and the hope of eternal communion with Him.
VERSE 1
Renew me, O eternal Light,
And let my heart and soul be bright,
Illumined with the light of grace
That issues from Your holy face.
VERSE 2
Remove the power of sin from me
And cleanse all my impurity
That I may have the strength and will
Temptations of the flesh to still.
VERSE 3
Create in me a new heart, Lord,
That gladly I obey Your Word.
Let what You will be my desire,
And with new life my soul inspire.
VERSE 4
Grant that I only You may love
And seek those things which are above
Till I behold You face to face,
O Light eternal, through Your grace.
Story Behind the Song
Renew Me, O Eternal Light is a hymn that traces its origins to the early 18th century. The text was penned in 1714 by Johann Friedrich Ruopp, a German theologian and hymn writer. Originally titled “Erneure mich, o ewiges Licht,” the hymn was crafted as a heartfelt prayer for spiritual renewal and enlightenment.[1]
In the late 19th century, August Crull, a German-American Lutheran pastor and hymnal editor, translated Ruopp’s hymn into English. Crull’s translation preserved the original’s depth and devotional tone, making it accessible to English-speaking congregations. The hymn has since been included in various Lutheran hymnals, such as the Lutheran Service Book, where it is listed as hymn number 704.[2]
The tune commonly associated with this hymn is “Herr Jesu Christ, meins,” first published in the 1625 collection “As Hymnodus Sacer” in Leipzig. This melody complements the hymn’s meditative and earnest plea for divine illumination.
Over the centuries, “Renew Me, O Eternal Light” has been cherished for its profound expression of a believer’s desire for inner transformation through God’s grace. Its enduring presence in worship services highlights its significance in encouraging personal reflection and spiritual growth. [3]
Create in Me a New Heart, Lord
Renew me o Eternal Light is a prayer for spiritual transformation, seeking God’s renewal, cleansing, and guidance. It expresses a deep desire for a heart that aligns with God’s will and a life set on eternal things.
“Renew me, O eternal Light” acknowledges God as the source of true spiritual renewal. Just as Ephesians 4:23-24 calls believers to be renewed in the spirit of their minds and put on the new self, the song reflects this transformation.
It is not a mere change in behavior but a work of God that restores the soul through His grace. Without God’s light, the heart remains in darkness, unable to grow in faith and holiness.
“Remove the power of sin from me and cleanse all my impurity” reflects the biblical truth that sin separates humanity from God. Psalm 51:10 expresses a similar plea: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” The song rightly affirms that only God can cleanse the heart and free it from sin’s control.
Hebrews 9:14 confirms that Christ’s sacrifice purifies the conscience, allowing believers to serve God with a renewed spirit. True worship involves not only praise but also a desire for holiness.
“Create in me a new heart, Lord, that gladly I obey Your Word” expresses the biblical connection between renewal and obedience. Ezekiel 36:26-27 speaks of God giving a new heart and putting His Spirit within His people so they may walk in His statutes. Obedience is not a burden but a response to God’s transforming work. Romans 6:17 declares that believers, once slaves to sin, now obey from the heart through God’s grace. The song affirms that renewal leads to a life that desires God’s will above all.
“Grant that I only You may love and seek those things which are above” captures the call of Colossians 3:1-2 to set the heart on heavenly things. Jesus commands in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the kingdom of God. True renewal shifts desires from worldly pursuits to an eternal focus.
The song ends with the hope of seeing God “face to face,” reflecting 1 Corinthians 13:12, where Paul speaks of knowing God fully in eternity.
Spiritual renewal is at the heart of true worship. It is not a one-time event but a continuous transformation through God’s grace. Renewal, cleansing, obedience, and heavenly longing shape the believer’s life, drawing them closer to the light of God.
Renew Me O Eternal Light lyrics and music by Johann Friedrich Ruopp, (1714) Public Domain
