The New English Hymnal ‎#378

378. Immortal love for ever full

1 Immortal love for ever full,
For ever flowing free,
For ever shared, for ever whole,
A never-ebbing sea!

2 Our outward lips confess the name,
All other names above;
Love only knoweth whence it came
And comprehendeth love.

3 We may not climb the heavenly steeps
To bring the Lord Christ down;
In vain we search the lowest deeps,
For him no depths can drown;

4 But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
A present help is he;
And faith has still its Olivet,
And love its Galilee.

5 The healing of his seamless dress
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch him in life's throng and press,
And we are whole again.

6 Through him the first fond prayers are said
Our lips of childhood frame;
The last low whispers of our dead
Are burdened with his name.

7 Alone, O Love ineffable,
Thy saving name is given;
To turn aside from thee is hell,
To walk with thee is heaven.

Text Information

• First Line: Immortal love for ever full
• Author: John Whittier, 1807-92
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Sickness and Healing

Tune Information

• Name: BISHOPTHORPE (ST PAUL'S)
• Composer: Jeremiah Clarke, c. 1673-1707
• Meter: CM
• Key: F Major