Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Charles Wesley · 1747 · tune HYFRYDOL
Key of D · public domain

Words

Verse 1Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, 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 every trembling heart

Verse 2Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast
Let us all in Thee inherit, let us find that second rest
Take away our power of sinning, Alpha and Omega be
End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty

Verse 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

Verse 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 heaven we take our place
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and praise

The story

Charles Wesley published this in 1747, and the metre and opening echo Fairest Isle, a song from Purcell's King Arthur with words by Dryden that begins Fairest isle, all isles excelling. Wesley did this often, taking the shape of something people already sang and turning it. The hymn moves from asking God to come down, to asking to be changed, to asking to be finished: finish then Thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be. That last verse is not asking for comfort or rescue. It is asking to be completed. Wesley wrote something like six and a half thousand hymns; this is among the handful that outlasted the arguments of his century.

Chords in D

Verse 1 D G A D Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down D G A D Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, all Thy faithful mercies crown G D A D Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love Thou art D G A D Visit us with Thy salvation, enter every trembling heart Verse 2 D G A D Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast D G A D Let us all in Thee inherit, let us find that second rest G D A D Take away our power of sinning, Alpha and Omega be D G A D End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty Verse 3 D G A D Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all Thy life receive D G A D Suddenly return, and never, nevermore Thy temples leave G D A D Thee we would be always blessing, serve Thee as Thy hosts above D G A D Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, glory in Thy perfect love Verse 4 D G A D Finish then Thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be D G A D Let us see Thy great salvation perfectly restored in Thee G D A D Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place D G A D Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and praise

In the app you can move this to any key and it works out the capo for you.

Common questions

Who wrote Love Divine, All Loves Excelling? Charles Wesley wrote the words in 1747.

What tune is it sung to? HYFRYDOL, set here in the key of D.

What scripture is it built on? Ephesians 3:19.

Is Love Divine, All Loves Excelling free to use in church? Yes. The words are public domain, which means any church may sing them, print them in a bulletin, put them on a screen or record them, without asking permission and without paying anyone.

Themes

Love of God · Holiness · Praise

More hymns

Amazing Grace It Is Well With My Soul Holy, Holy, Holy Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Rock of Ages What a Friend We Have in Jesus When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Blessed Assurance To God Be the Glory Abide With Me A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Crown Him With Many Crowns All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Just As I Am Be Thou My Vision The Old Rugged Cross Nearer, My God, to Thee Take My Life, and Let It Be The Church's One Foundation Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling Trust and Obey Leaning on the Everlasting Arms I Need Thee Every Hour Sweet Hour of Prayer Jesus Paid It All The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want The King of Love My Shepherd Is O God, Our Help in Ages Past All People That on Earth Do Dwell Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun Joy to the World Unto the Hills Around Do I Lift Up Let Us With a Gladsome Mind Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams Through All the Changing Scenes of Life Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord