The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3357

3357. Jesus, Lover of My Soul

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.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, lover of my soul
• Title: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
• Author: Charles Wesley (1740)
• Meter: 77.77 D
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Mrs. Mary Hoover, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, whose grandmother was the heroine of the story, has related to her pastor this family tradition: Charles Wesley was preaching in the fields of the parish of Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, when he was attacked by men who did not approve of his doctrines. He sought refuge in a house located on what was known as the Island Barn Farm. The farmer's wife, Jane Lowrie Moore, told him to hide in the milkhouse, down in the garden. Soon the mob came and demanded the fugitive. She tried to quiet them by offering them refreshments. Going down to the milkhouse, she directed Mr. Wesley to get through the rear window and hide under the hedge, by which ran a little brook. In that hiding-place, with the cries of his pursuers all about him, he wrote this immortal hymn. Descendants of Mrs. Moore still live in the house, which is much the same as it was in Wesley's time. Sankey, pp. 172-3. Some have called this the finest hymn in the English language. Alternate tunes: HOLLINGSIDE, John B. Dykes, 1861; MARTYN, Simeon B. Marsh, 1834; REFUGE, Joseph P. Holbrook, 1862; ST. FABIAN, Joseph Barnby

Tune Information

• Name: ABERYSTWYTH (Parry)
• Composer: Joseph Parry (1879)
• Meter: 77.77 D
• Incipit: 11234 53213 21712
• Key: F Major
• Source: Edward Stephens' Ail Lyfr Tonau ac Emynau, 1879
• Copyright: Public Domain