O Perfect Life of Love

Author: H. W. Baker

Scripture References:
st. 1-5 = John 19:30

Because of how well biblical phrases and theological statements are packed into such short meter, John Julian calls this a text "of much merit." Written by Henry W. Baker (PHH 342) in seven stanzas, "O Perfect Life of Love" was first published in the 1875 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern as a hymn for Passiontide.

The text meditates on the suffering and death of Christ, "that he might make us whole" (st. 1-5), confesses our total dependence on the merits of Christ (st. 6), and prays that our response to Christ's love may be a life of love and service (st. 7).

Liturgical Use:
Holy Week; stanzas 6 and 7 in worship services of confession/forgiveness or in other prayer services (including times other than Holy Week).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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O perfect life of love. Sir H. W. Baker. [Passiontide.] Written for the revised edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern, and included therein in 1875, as one of the “Hymns of the Passion," in 7 stanzas of 4 lines. It is a hymn of much merit.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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