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| Joy of Heaven, to Earth Come Down. |
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, first published in 1747 was written by Methodist, Charles Wesley (1707-1788). Of the some 6500 hymns he wrote, this remains one of the most popular and is generally considered one of his finest works. While often sung to the tune, Beecher, the version found in the Breviary is set to Hyfrodol, written in 1830 by the Welsh musician, Rowland H. Prichard (1811-1887). Another popular setting is to the tune, Blaenwern (as shown in the 2nd video). In the Liturgy of the Hours Love Divine, All Loves Excelling is used during Ordinary Time for Evening Prayer and also on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.
Tune: Hyfrodol
LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING by Charles Wesley, 1747 (Public Domain)
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Tune: Blaenwern
Alleluia!
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God who has known my fustration trying to sing the hymns for my liturgy of the hours prayers. Your websight has helped me to sing to my God with all my soul. My Deaconate formation has been enriched with your web site. Thank you for your sacrafice of countless hours assembling every hymn in the Liturgy of the Hours.
May the Lord Bless you all.
Santos
Year 4 NYDFP
Thank you so much Santos. It's been a pleasure putting this website together. - Peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for this. The song takes me deeper into Jesus and His love for me. It fires my consecration and makes sure my sanctification. Glory to God!
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