Archives for May 19, 2019

Devotion

1Love 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.

2Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev'ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit;
let us find thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

3Come, 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.

4Finish 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!

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" accentuates this week's readings regarding God's call to an inclusive, loving community. This hymn was written in 1747 by the prolific lyricist Charles Wesley. Rowland Hugh Prichard composed the melody, Hyfrydol (Welsh for "tuneful" or "pleasant"), at age 19 and included it in a children's hymnal.

These musical men of faith captured Acts 11's narrative of the Spirit descending upon the Gentiles and affirming that all people can inherit salvation. The lyrics resonate with creation's ceaseless praise of the Lord's glory as expressed in Psalm 148. The "Alpha and Omega," who will end troubles and dwell with us, echo Revelation 21's foresights.

This hymn especially emphasizes Jesus' divine compassion shared with his disciples and us. Jesus' all-excelling love teaches us how to respond to God's call to "love one another" (John 13:34). In love, God calls us to welcome all people into God's community.