The New English Hymnal ‎#424

424. O Love divine, how sweet thou art!

1 O Love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my longing heart
All taken up by thee?
I thirst, I faint and die to prove
The greatness of redeeming love,
The love of Christ to me.

2 Stronger his love than death or hell;
Its riches are unsearchable:
The first-born sons of light
Desire in vain its depth to see;
They cannot reach the mystery,
The length and breadth and height.

3 *God only knows the love of God;
O that it now were shed abroad
In this poor stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord, be mine,
Be mine this better part.

4 For ever would I take my seat
With Mary at the Master's feet:
Be this my happy choice;
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,
To hear the Bridegroom's voice.

Text Information

• First Line: O Love divine, how sweet thou art!
• Author: Charles Wesley, 1707-88 (alt.)
• Meter: 886 886
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986

Tune Information

• Name: CORNWALL
• Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1810-76
• Composer (descant): A. D. C.
• Meter: 886 886
• Key: D Major
• Copyright: By permission of Canterbury Press Norwich