Hymn #57: Jesus Lover of My Soul

Lyrics: Charles Wesley

Music: ABERYSTWITH by Joseph Parry.
MARTYN by Simeon Butler Marsh.
HOLLINGSIDE
by John Bacchus Dykes.
Greg Thompson at Indelible Grace/RUF has a new tune setting.

Theme: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Henry Ward Beecher: “I would rather have written that hymn of Wesley’s than to have the fame of all kings that ever sat on earth; it is more glorious, it has more power in it. I would rather be the author of that hymn than to hold the wealth of the richest man in New York. He will die after a little while, pass out of men’s thoughts, what will there be to speak of him? But people will go on singing that hymn until the last trump brings forth the angel band; and then I think it will mount upon some lips to the very presence of God.”

1. 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 Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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;
false and full of sin I am; thou art full of truth and grace.

5. 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.

When Charles first presented the lyrics of Jesus, Lover of My Soul to his brother, John Wesley rejected it as being too sentimental. I’ve heard this hymn ridiculed as a sort of Jesus-is-my-boyfriend, hiding from the world, pietist ode to complete withdrawal from the all things earthly. However, it doesn’t really read that way, does it? It’s more an acknowledgment of my complete dependence on the grace and mercy of Jesus. And what is sentimental about the words “I am all unrighteousness/False and full of sin I am”? I rather like the frank and unsentimental estimate of my unworthiness and Christ’s sufficiency.

Sources:
Hymntime: Jesus Lover of My Soul.
Suite 101: Jesus Lover of My Soul.
Hymnary: Jesus Lover of My Soul.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *