The History of Great Hymns

The tenderness of song can sometimes be the surest expression of a heart’s belonging unto the Lord God. A man who knew this well was Charles Wesley, the great hymn writer and brother of the world famous preacher John Wesley.

Both Charles and John were greatly blessed to have been born into a faithful Christian family. Their father Samuel was a preacher, and their mother Susannah worked tirelessly to support her husband’s work and teach their children of the Lord and His Word. Yet despite this wonderful blessing of God to all the Wesley children, Charles and John both grew up wrestling with knowing their sins were forgiven and assurance of salvation. 

It was by the witnessing of the Moravians, namely Peter Bohler, that opened these great minds to the heart known truth of justification by faith alone. At last, the constant strain of trying to achieve God’s love and acceptance through holy living had been brought to rest. On May 21st 1738, Charles Wesley found peace with God through the full and final atonement of sin made by Christ Jesus on the Cross at Calvary.

After years of pursuing Christ, joy eternal had entered Charles’ heart (and not much later, his brother John’s). Emboldened with the zeal of salvation, Charles preached the Gospel with passion, boldness, truth and love. Yet his greatest gift of the expression of the glory of Christ Jesus would be found through his musical ability, namely hymn writing.

On the first anniversary of his conversion to Christ Jesus, Charles wrote the opening words to the hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul. The opening lines of that much loved hymn speaks eloquently of the joy that Charles had found within Christ Jesus. Those words sing:

Oh for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!

Within these opening lines, we see the surging joy of the redeemed heart in Christ, and how it yearns with unrivalled passion to sing the praises of the One who has delivered it from death and unto life eternal. We see the humility of the reborn heart, as it claims no victory outside of knowing Christ Jesus. We witness a life that delights in magnifying the glory of God. This being in the same manner that Mary sung in humble adoration of God, when she was told that she would carry God Incarnate in her womb.

Such God glorifying words formed part of some 9000 hymns that Charles would write. Yet strangely this beautiful song of praise would not be published in its fullness until 9 years after Charles’ death. Some claim that this was due to his brother John believing that the song was too sentimental to be used as a hymn. 

Similarly shrouded in mystery is the inspiration for this moving hymn. One popular thought is that a little bird flew in Charles’ room one day seeking refuge from the harsh weather outside. Not content with this shelter, it then sought further protection in the folds of Charles’ coat. This scene gave Charles the picture of a believer flying to the Lord’s embrace for their protection. Whether or not this tale is true is unknown. 

Perhaps this mystery is the greatest testament to the truth of the words of the hymn. Such is the rich emotion of the hymn that its origin is to known only to the hearts of both God and Charles. That wonderfully sheltered relationship between Redeemer and redeemed is known singularly and uniquely between each of God’s children and Himself. There are many moments of delight in God company that my tongue can never do justice to. They are quietly kept in my heart and known by Him and that is all that is needed to bring right and good praise to God. 

By Jonathan Badger