Notes on the Hymn
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" lyrics first appeared in a 1747, London collection of hymns for congregational singing. The title was "Hymns for Those that Seek and Those that Have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ." Charles Wesley wrote these hymns in support of the idea of God as love, a major theme of Wesleyan preaching. He originally titled "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" as "Jesus, Show us Thy Salvation."
Each Stanza a Prayer
Each stanza is a prayer. 1) Divine love, enter every trembling heart. 2) Free us from the power of sin. 3) Let us glory in heavenly love through a life of service. And 4) Restore us with great salvation in this life and in heaven.
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
(stanzas 1 & 2)
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.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) Source: Wikipedia
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.
(3 & 4)
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.
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