LOVER OF SOULS -- Daily Images of God--Lent 2022 Day 6 March 7

 

Daily Images of God--Lent 2022

Day 6

March 7

THE LOVER OF SOULS

 

 The hymn “Jesu Lover of my soul” uses the scriptural image of God as our lover. Charles Wesley wrote the hymn while he was hiding for hours in a Milk House closet from a lynch mob in County Down Ireland intent on silencing his preaching. Set in the UK to the haunting Welsh tune Aberystwyth, it expresses the image of God as our Lover in whom we find refuge, safety, and support.

 

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 Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide;

O 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

With 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;

Vile 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,

Rise to all eternity.

 

Jesu Lover of My Soul