Charles Wesley

Jesu, Lover of My Soul

A hymn for those times when the Christian life seems like riding in a storm-tossed ship.

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‘Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth’ by JMW Turner (1775-1851)
By JMW Turner (1775-1851), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

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Jesu, Lover of My Soul

By JMW Turner (1775-1851), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

‘Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth’ by JMW Turner (1775-1851)

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‘Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth’ by JMW Turner (1775-1851). The Christian simile of a ship is an old one: it was used by Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf at the turn of the ninth century, and also by twelfth-century hermit St Godric of Finchale, in his prayers to his patron St Nicholas. See Heaven’s Harbour and Some Prayers of St Godric.

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Introduction

Jesu, Lover of My Soul begins with an image of the Christian life as a ship tossed upon the heaving waters of a storm at sea without, and ends with the image of a refreshing fountain of eternal youth welling up within.

In Temptation

JESU, 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 Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
O, receive my soul at last.

2 Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee:
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stay’d;
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

3 Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall
Lo! on Thee I cast my care:
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and, behold, I live!

4 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.

5 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,
Rise to all eternity!