mgpcpastor's blog

Charles Wesley’s Jesus Lover Of My Soul is a classic hymn.
Little more needs be said.
If you don’t know it, or don’t sing it, your connection to evangelical Christianity is impoverished.
There’s a chorus of the same name by Geoff Bullock which is vastly inferior and full of theological dodginess, it’s hard to sing, especially if you’re not comfortable using the revised version of the lyrics that does not come from Bullock himself.
Anyway, Wesley’s lyrics are a sublime expression of the refuge which the Christian soul can find in the Lord Jesus.
The words invite the singer to focus on the praiseworthy person and work of Jesus.
I’m sure some of the phrasing may seem a bit florid to contemporary ears, but the integrity of the poetic whole of the song should discourage attempts to overly modernise.
Forgiveness of sin and consolation in the trials of life are both found through him.
I can’t think of better musical accompaniment than the tune ‘Tynemouth’.

Here’s a version of these classic lyrics from a relatively contemporary source.
1.
Jesus, 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 stayed,
All my help from thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of thy wing.
3.
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.
4.
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.

Lyrics, Charles Wesley.

Aled Jones provides a wonderful version of the hymn to the ‘Aberswyth’ tune.