Jesus Lover of My Soul - story behind the hymn

A classic Charles Wesley hymn. Did he write it in a storm? When a bird flew into his office? When he was chased by a crowd after preaching?

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 Savior, 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 defenceless 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!
Vile 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.

[margaretnamara]

Ever since 6 years ago when I developed anxiety disorders and became suicidal, I found this song, it's become my song an have been comforted that God will fight for me the battle that wanted to take my life. I sing it in the morning, noon evening and all the time. Let me to thy bosom fly. Cover my defenseless head. Am hanging on his mighty arm

[K_DZ]

As my father laid on his deathbed, this is the song my father whispered over and over. I was blessed to hear my daddies last words be from this wonderful hymn.

[rhyfelwrDuw]

Love this one - and the tune is called Aberystwyth and is a typical Welsh minor key (my maternal grand father came from near 'Aber' (as we call it))

[kellicos]

Just found your channel…what a blessing to hear the stories of these wonderful hymns. Thank you for sharing this and your beautiful voice as well.

[andersonrearickiii]

While touring with the Eastern Nazarene College Accapella Choir I participated in a wonderful version of this hymn which forced me to really take apart the words.

[hilogearhart]

One of my favorites. Really speaks to the heart.

[esthereze]

This is one of my best and most favourite hymns. I started loving it as a young Christian lady. I will love and sing it almost every day throughout my time in this realm. The last stanza, "Thou o Christ art all I want..." Is such a bliss for me any day!

[ellielovegood]

Thank you. That was lovely. After man years of not playing ( i am 65!) I am teaching this to myself on the piano. The way you played it was so lovely and inspired. Ellen from Franklin Indiana

[lambharoy]

What I love about you and your approach is that you don't run down or dump the old hymns and favour only the new stuff. The old favourites strike a special, sweet chord in this old heart of mine. We even have it translated into our Khasi language with a couple of additional stanzas composed by the Translator. It has a permanent place in our Hymnbook.Khasi is a tribal language spoken by about Khasi people of Meghalaya state of North East India. Thank you for this video.

[jonathanlim]

Hymn was sung at my church during Maundy Thursday last year. The sombre tone and mood of the hymn makes it suitable for such an occasion.

[marykuttykuriakose]

As I was watching “The Crown” today on Netflix, I saw this hymn being sung at the mass funeral of the 1966 mine disaster victims of Wales and couldn't help but look up. Then I came across your site and listened to all of your message and the singing. I must say that you sang it so beautifully! Thank you!

[Lakeslover]

A truly beautiful Hymn from a real believer ❤

[nancyanderson]

This was my mom’s favorite hymn. Born in 1914, orphaned at four, a life of challenges, this song comforted and blessed her. I sing it to bless her, though she died in 1990. It’s never too late to love.

[P-zzpw]

Too many things to explain how the Lord just used this hymn to do a miracle in my life. How He does it, I have no idea, I just know He does it and that there is none like the blessed Lord: Jesus, Lover of my soul - THANK YOU 🌹

[kylebond]

Thank you, Luke, for presenting this wonderful musical fountain of peace, hope, and joy in Christ our Saviour. Wonderful words when written so long ago -- wonderful words now in this maddening world. May GOD bless you. You certainly blessed me.

[martinfalls]

Thanks so much, Luke. I grew up in the Methodist church. This was a favorite hymn as a child, and still is, though I learned it to a different tune I can no longer find. This is an older tune that i recognize but can't place. Don't mind the language either. Half my roots are in the UK. I am a student of Medieval and Renaissance music.
A bird entered my house one day and wound up in my office. She seemed quite upset and lost; no way would she nestle in my bosom. I just opened all the windows until she found her way out.
Thunderstorm happening now on the east coast of the USA. How appropriate, at least in one version of the origin stories you mention.
When I think of this hymn, I always think of the apostle John, who laid his head on Jesus' breast. I am experiencing deep grief now due to a lost partner, and visualize this almost every night.
Thanks for your efforts, brother. You have a lovely voice and fine musical talent. Thanks for the blessings you bring us. You certainly lifted me today.

[rea_ch_e]

Thank you foe sharing the story behind this grt song
I grew up hearing my dad sing this as a lullaby to me. I can still hear his voice in my mind whenever I sing it or hear it. Love you Jesus. Thank you for this song

[meredithgreenslade]

Now thank you o my God. It has a wonderful story behind that one. You might be interested in its history.

[joywatts]

One of the first hymns I learned (to different tune).

[trustingod]

Like how you tell the story behind the song, Jesus Christ loves you,