Jesus, Lover Of My Soul
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
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!
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.
WRITTEN ONLY A YEAR after his conversion, this is one of the most famous of Charles Wesley’s six thousand hymns. As he wrote it, he may have been remembering his turbulent transatlantic crossing three years earlier. He wrote in his journal, “The sea streamed in at the sides . . . it was as much as four men could do by continual pumping to keep her above water. I rose and lay down by turns, but could remain in no posture long; strove vehemently to pray, but in vain.” Later in the afternoon as the storm reached its peak, he said, “In this dreadful moment, I bless God, I found the comfort of hope.”
Wesley talked to another passenger about trusting God, and the passenger replied that he had no refuge in times of danger. Even though Wesley was ill and frightened, he had the awareness, as he later wrote, that he “abode under the shadow of the Almighty.”
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 17:6-8
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