HYMN OF THE MONTH
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley (1738)
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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 Savior, hide,
'til 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.
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.
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.
MUSIC
Experience this month's hymn even more fully by playing or singing along. Download the sheet music from Hymnary.org.
THE LOVE OF JESUS
The hymnwriter reminds us that Jesus is indeed the Lover of our souls and Scripture is filled with examples of what that love looks like.
THIS HYMN GOES PLACES
Since its' start in the heart of Englishman Charles Wesley, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" has gone places. Some say it started in some bushes where Charles was hiding from some "ne'er do well" townspeople who didn't like his preaching.
Others relate its appearance in the middle of the Civil War -- this fact discovered while some Civil War veterans were comparing notes and stories years after the war.
That story goes like this:
A Confederate veteran recounted how he had a clear shot of a Union sentry when the sentry burst into song, "Jesus, Lover of my soul, let be to Thy bosom fly." The song continued an when the sentry sang, "cover my defenseless head with the shadow of The wing." Then the Confederate soldier brought his gun down unable to kill someone clinging to his Savior like that. The Union veteran piped up and said he was that sentry, fearful in the night watch, finding tremendous hope in the classic hymn.
And yet others recount mourners singing this hymn while burying Dwight L. Moody.
But that's not all the places this hymn has been.
This hymn also made appearances at Charles H. Spurgeon's revival meetings -- at least one time bringing a visitor to his knees in salvation. The thought of Jesus loving him was powerful enough to melt his heart and realize the uselessness of living at emnity with Someone who loved him so greatly.
This hymn, I suspect, is still making its rounds -- visiting my heart and yours.
Where else has this hymn -- or the truths in this hymn -- appeared in your life?
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