Love Divine, all loves excelling is a marvellous tune speaking to the love of God. Charles Wesley is the author, a prolific hymn-writer, and a Methodist. He worked with his brother John.
Lyrics
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heav’n 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 Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
History and Author
Charles Wesley is the author is this lovely old hymn. Even more 200 years after his passing, the hymns of Charles Wesley continue to remain popular within the faith community.
Charles lived much of his life in his brother’s shadow. Even so, he is the one who started the Holy Club in 1729 that his brother eventually led. Faithful Moravians helped both John and Charles search deeper into spiritual matters. As Charles’ faith was strengthened he began to write hymns. Over his lifetime he wrote over 6000 hymns. Wholesome Words has a more complete write up of Charles Wesley.
Other hymns by Charles Wesley
- Come thou long-expected Jesus.
- Christ the Lord is Risen Today.
- Ye Servants of God, your master proclaim.
- Rejoice the Lord is King.
- Christ whose glory fills the skies.
- Love Divine all loves excelling.
- Jesus Lover of my soul.
Ponderings
Love Divine, all loves excelling…. can you see it? Can you see Jesus as God’s expression of love to the world? Then leading on to the Holy Spirit and how he moves in our hearts. Then God! God Almighty comes and we serve him, being blessed. Looking on in the final verse to a new creation.
Don’t you just enjoy the progression in this hymn? Showing how the love of God touches us in so many ways, and then glory oh the glory that awaits. So much hope, and it starts with God’s love. Lovely eh?
Lori says
Love this one. Makes me thing of Hebrews – Jesus is better than all else. Thank you for a good hymn today.