James Edwin Orr Grave

Hymn History: Search Me, O God & Author: James Edwin Orr

“Some men read history, some write it, and others make it. So far as the history of religious revivals is concerned, J. Edwin Orr belongs to all three categories.”
(F. F. Bruce)

The Origin of the Hymn “Search Me, O God”

Few hymns express a more personal cry for holiness and surrender than “Search Me, O God.” With its gentle plea for God to cleanse the heart and guide the believer into truth, this hymn has touched lives for more than a century. Its message of spiritual honesty and divine transformation flows directly from Scripture and reflects the revival spirit that swept through the early twentieth century. Written by J. Edwin Orr, the hymn remains one of the most heartfelt songs of consecration in modern Christian worship.

The Writer: J. Edwin Orr

James Edwin Orr (1912–1987) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. From his youth, he showed a deep love for the Lord and a passion for evangelism. Orr became one of the most respected evangelists, historians, and scholars on the subject of Christian revival in the twentieth century. He traveled to more than one hundred countries, preaching the gospel, teaching about revival, and writing numerous books on the history and principles of spiritual awakening.

In the 1930s, while still a young man, Orr felt a strong call to devote his life to Christian service. He began conducting evangelistic meetings throughout the British Isles and later in Europe and North America. His ministry was characterized by a message of repentance and renewal among believers—a call to purity of heart and total devotion to Christ. That same burden of personal holiness and spiritual awakening lies at the heart of “Search Me, O God.”

The Inspiration Behind the Hymn

The hymn was inspired by Psalm 139:23–24, where the psalmist David prays:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

This passage had long been a cornerstone of Christian introspection and prayer. For J. Edwin Orr, it expressed the very essence of revival—God examining the heart of His people and cleansing them of sin so that His Spirit might work freely through them.

In the late 1930s, Orr was leading a series of revival meetings in New Zealand, where believers were experiencing a renewed sense of conviction and surrender. It was during this time that he wrote the hymn that would become “Search Me, O God.” He adapted his words from Psalm 139 and set them to a tune that was already familiar in New Zealand—a Maori melody known as “Maori Folk Song” or “Now Is the Hour.” The marriage of the simple, haunting melody and Orr’s prayerful text created a hymn that spoke deeply to hearts across cultures.

Originally, the hymn was titled “Cleanse Me,” echoing the repeated plea in its final stanza: “Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.” In some hymnals, it is still listed under that title.

The Text and Its Meaning

The hymn’s four short verses form a beautiful prayer for spiritual cleansing and renewal. The opening verse captures the Psalmist’s plea:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.”

The second stanza continues the prayer, focusing on surrender to God’s will and Spirit:

“I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy Name.”

Each line reflects Orr’s theology of revival—a personal encounter with the holiness of God that leads to repentance, cleansing, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The final verses move from inward confession to outward testimony, as the singer asks that the Spirit guide and use them for God’s glory.

The Music and Its Spread

Because Orr used a familiar Maori melody, “Search Me, O God” was easy to sing and remember. The tune’s gentle, flowing rhythm fits the introspective nature of the words, creating a sense of reverent prayer rather than exuberant praise.

After Orr returned from his travels, he introduced the hymn in his evangelistic meetings across the world. It quickly found its way into hymnals and revival songbooks in the 1940s and 1950s. Its simple structure made it suitable for both personal devotion and congregational singing.

The song’s use of direct Scripture and heartfelt language also contributed to its longevity. Many believers found in it a prayer they could sing privately in times of self-examination, while pastors and evangelists used it as an invitation hymn—especially at moments of dedication or recommitment.

The Legacy of “Search Me, O God”

Over the decades, “Search Me, O God” has been sung in churches of many denominations around the world. Its message transcends theological and cultural boundaries because it speaks to the universal need for God’s cleansing and guidance.

For J. Edwin Orr, the hymn was never meant to be a performance piece—it was a prayer. He once remarked that true revival always begins when believers allow God to search their hearts and deal honestly with sin. The enduring popularity of his hymn is proof that such a prayer remains as necessary today as it was in the psalmist’s time.

Today, “Search Me, O God” continues to be sung in worship services, retreats, and personal devotions. Its quiet strength lies in its simplicity—a direct cry from the soul to the Creator who knows every thought and motive. It reminds believers that spiritual renewal does not begin with outward action, but with inward honesty before God.

Like the psalm from which it draws inspiration, the hymn invites every Christian to open their heart before the Lord and say with sincerity:

“See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.”