I totally agree with Gerard Delrez's (of London) comment, the Welsh tune Aberystwyth is immensely superior. That tune fits the beautiful words; I heard it sung by mourning parents in Wales after many children died when a coal mountain collapsed on a school. This was on my heart and mind when I awakened. I had forgotten the inferior tune and hope it is replaced on this site.

This hymn was up in my spirit, 'Grace to cover all my sin', the moment I felt the heavy weight of my sinful lifestyle, the moment I felt the dare need for something to reassure me that Christ has taken away my sin away, alone here in my office, with tears in my eyes, while the lyrics and the tone of this hymn plays through my spirit cheering my fainting my heart.... this has indeed blessed me.

I agree with what everyone says regarding the words of this hymn, but oh dear! What IS the tune shown here all about?

In the UK we sing this to the tune 'Aberystwyth', composed by Joseph Parry in the late nineteenth century, a truly noble tune in the minor mode (usually in E minor) but modulating into the major in lines five to seven of each stanza, implying the idea of hope for salvation, before closing once more in the minor. It is fully worthy of these impassioned words by Wesley.

This hymn touched and transformed me. My father drew inspiration from the 3rd stanza.

Other refuge have I none, hang my helpless soul on thee; give me courage on daily basis.

I'd rather use this in form of my prayers❤🙏

So sweet!

Of all the hymns Charles Wesley has written, this is usually considered to be his finest. He wrote anywhere from 6, 500 up to 8, 000 hymns. This hymn is still found in nearly every published hymnal and has been translated to almost every language. However, when Charles presented it to his brother John for approval, he did not like it because it was too sentimental. It was not until after Charles died that the hymn began to gain popularity and use. It was first published in 1740 in a collection of 139 hymns known as “ Hymns and Sacred Poems. ” The late Dr. Bodine said, “Is is the finest heart-hymn in the English language. ” Henry Ward Beecher, noted American preacher wrote:

I would rather have written that hymn of Wesley’s than to have the fame of all the kings that ever sat on the earth; it is more glorious, it has more power in it. I would rather be the author to that hymn than to hold the wealth of the richest man in New York. He will die after a little while, pass out of men’s thoughts, what will there be to speak of him? But people will go on singing that song until the last trump brings forth the angel band; and then I think it will mount upon some lips to the very presence of God.

There are many stories of the how Wesley was inspired to write this hymn but none has been completely proven. Some of these are as follows. On his return to England in the fall of 1763, after a disappointing time in the United States, Charles Wesley’s ship was caught in a storm and it seemed that all would be lost but on December 3 they reached land. Wesley wrote in his journal for that day, “I knelt down and blessed the Hand that had conducted me through inextricable mazes. ” Some writers say that during the storm a bird flew into Wesley’s cabin and hid in his bosom for comfort and safety. Another says Wesley wrote this text while lying under a hedge, having been beaten up by an angry mob opposing his ministry. Still others see the text as a picture of Wesley’s own life as a young man as he struggled to find his peace with God before his dramatic conversion on May 21, 1738.

Calling out to the only One who is in control

There is no better time when this song fits perfectly, than in this uncertain times that we are in.

Hide us till the storm is past. Amen