This morning we sang a hymn that begins with the words ‘It passes knowledge’, which is a modernised version of ‘It passeth knowledge’ which was written by Mary Shekleton and has a very memorable tune by Ira Sankey.
The meter of the hymn creates a fairly unique experience in singing as does the soaring elements in the melody, each of which matches the expansive affirmations of the lyrics. Each verse ends in a shorter line which serves to provide a sort of reflective extension to the concluding sentiment.
Here’s the original lyric at cyberhymnal. (With accompanying midi.)
These are the lyrics we used:
1.
It passes knowledge, that dear love divine,
my Saviour, Jesus, yet this soul of mine
would of Your love in all its breadth and length,
its height and depth and everlasting strength
know more and more.
2.
It passes telling, that dear love of Yours.
My Saviour, Jesus, peace and love assures
when I proclaim to sinners far and near
a love which can remove all guilt and fear
and heal the heart.
3.
It passes praising, that dear love divine,
my Saviour, Jesus, yet this heart of mine
would sing that love so rich, so full, so free,
which brings a rebel sinner such as me
in touch with God.
4.
O fill me Saviour Jesus with Your love,
O lead me to the living fount above.
On You may I in simple faith rely,
and never to another fountain fly,
but You alone.
5.
Then when my Saviour face to face I see,
when at Your throne of grace I bend the knee,
then of Your love in all its breadth and length,
its height and depth and everlasting strength,
my soul shall sing.
Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia (1983) all rights reserved.
Used by permission of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia
from ‘A New Song’
Hymns from the Rejoice! Hymn Book, Presbyterian Church of Australia
A YouTube recording of the hymn being sung at a church service.
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