Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Words: Charles Wesley, 1740. Music: ©2000 Greg Thompson Music.
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,
Til Thy storm is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, oh 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
In 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;
For all eternity.
Scripture References:
Ps 55:8; Ps 57:1; Ps 107:23-32; Luke 7:22; John 1:14; Eph 1:7; Eph 2:4-6; Ps 36:9; John 4:10; John 7:38; Rev 7:17
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. (Source)
Best-Known Hymns By Charles Wesley
In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over five and a half thousand hymns, writing the words for a further two thousand, many of which are still popular. These include:
- “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” (Lyrics)
- “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (Lyrics)
- “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” (Lyrics)
- “Come, O Thou Traveler unknown” (Lyrics)
- “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (Lyrics)
- “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” (Lyrics)
- “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (Lyrics)
- “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” (Lyrics)
- “Jesus, The Name High Over All” (Lyrics)
- “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending” (Lyrics)
- “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (Lyrics)
- “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (Lyrics)
- “Rejoice, the Lord is King” (Lyrics)
- “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” (Lyrics)
- “Ye Servants of God” (Lyrics)
The lyrics to many more of Charles Wesley’s hymns can be found on Wikisource and “Hymns and Sacred Poems”.
Some 150 of his hymns are included in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms