Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
231Resource Type:
Keys included:
F
About this Hymn
Originally conceived as a Christianized parody of the song "Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling," by John Dryden and Henry Purcell, Charles Wesley's hymn has arguably become much better known. It is an earnest prayer for the Author of divine love to return to his people and complete his work, never to leave again but to take us all to his throne room, where we will be "lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Lyrics
Verse 1
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 ev'ry trembling heart.
Verse 2
Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit into ev'ry troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find the promised rest. Take away our love of sinning, Alpha and Omega be; end of faith as its beginning; set our hearts at liberty.
Verse 3
Come, Almighty to deliver; let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore 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.
Verse 4
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.
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 ev'ry trembling heart.
Verse 2
Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit into ev'ry troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find the promised rest. Take away our love of sinning, Alpha and Omega be; end of faith as its beginning; set our hearts at liberty.
Verse 3
Come, Almighty to deliver; let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore 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.
Verse 4
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.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Charles Wesley, 1747, alt.
Music: William Penfro Rowlands, ca. 1904
Music: William Penfro Rowlands, ca. 1904