Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hymn of the Week: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Considering that Valentine's Day was yesterday, it seems appropriate to choose a hymn about the love of God Himself for us. And although the four stanzas expand beyond this topic of God's love, and mention other wonderful aspects of His Being, they do an excellent job of reminding us about the God Whom we must worship and about our response to Him.

This hymn was written by Charles Wesley in 1747 and has been sung to several different tunes, most commonly Beecher, but also the tune Hyfrydol (more closely associated with Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners).

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

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