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Jesus, Lover of My Soul
MARTYN | Hymn History
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Author: |  |
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 |
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Musician: | |
Simeon B. Marsh, 1798-1875 |
 |  Play MP3 • Click to listen to the music for this hymn.
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Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall!
Lo, on Thee I cast my care!
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive;
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
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HYMN HISTORY:
No study of the great hymns of the Christian faith would be complete without considering the work of the one man who did more for English hymns than any other Charles Wesley.
Even though his father was a clergyman, Charles Wesley grew up without ever coming to a knowledge of sins forgiven or the assurance of salvation. Thankfully however, like his famous brother John, he finally found spiritual peace through the help of the Moravians, especially that of Peter Bohler, who explained to him the nature of justification by faith alone.
Thus it was that on Whit Sunday, May 21st 1738, Charles Wesley found peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
From that time he was as much on fire to preach the gospel as his brother; and equally bold and tireless in doing so. Above all, he translated the gospel message into song, furnishing both a powerful means of evangelism and a rich reservoir of devotion.
On the first anniversary of his conversion he wrote those majestic lines:-
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
These lines have been used to open successive editions of the Methodist hymn book ever since.
Hymn writing came easily to Charles Wesley, anytime, anywhere, so that from his busy pen there flowed some nine thousand sacred songs.
Christendom still sings many of them. Composition like "Love Divine All Loves Excelling, Christ The Lord Is Risen Today," and "Hark The Herald Angels Sing," are still firm favourites with believers all around the globe.
Just now we are considering one of the most popular and beautiful of all hymns "Jesus Lover Of My Soul," written just two years after Charles Wesley came to know the Lord as his Saviour.
Strange as it may seem, it wasn't given a place in any Methodist hymnal until nine years later after the author's death. It is said that his brother John thought it much too sentimental to be used as a spiritual song.
No one is really sure what experience prompted the writing of the lovely words, but it seems certain that something did.
Some say that a little bird flew into Wesley's room for protection and then sought refuge inside the folds of his coat, thus giving him the idea of believer's flying to the Lord's bosom for their protection.
But whatever did, or did not happen, Charles Wesley's prayer-poem has found a responsive chord in the ears and hearts of tens of thousands.
Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last!
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
Make and keep me pure within:
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee,
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.
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