Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

♫ Blaenwern: last line

A key part of “Our Calling” as Methodists is to “respond to the

gospel of God's love in Christ”. Trying to express something of

that divine love helps us to begin our response. The poetry

of Wesley’s iconic hymn “Love divine, all loves excelling” has

been given lots of attention by musicians trying to join word

and melody to tell of God’s love. Hymns and Psalms offers

not 2 but 3 dedicated tunes – and a wee footnote offering a

fourth choice as well! Blaenwern (by William Rowlands around

1904) is the Welsh tune of royal wedding fame most loved today,

but there are other options.

The Methodist Hymn Book features a 19th century tune by Zündel,

which leaps around rather joyfully – a very appropriate

response to God’s love! The fifth line has a particular

depth and seriousness, perhaps most suited to the long omitted

2nd verse “take away our power of sinning” (you can see why

it’s omitted) – but that depth is helpful too in other verses.

Let’s hear verse 1 as an example, sung by Janet R.

♫ Love Divine (Beecher) by Zundel: v1

Sometimes a congregation will get more out of a tune that is

easier to sing, allowing space to really pay attention to the

meaning of the words. Hyfrodol (that footnote in Hymns and

Psalms) is a well known, very singable tune that lends itself

to that more reflective attention. Lines 5 and 6 here

have a longing quality – very appropriate as we imagine

heaven’s activity – but the final line still lifts as we

turn towards the promise of God’s love. Let’s hear verse 2.

♫ Hyfrydol: v2

Worship can be a foretaste of the promise of heaven, and the

words of Love Divine are well suited to that. Imagine the time

when we would be truly “lost in wonder, love and praise”. A tune

that speaks of this promise – starting with a phrase almost

floating towards heaven – was originally adapted by John

Wesley from an opera song “Fairest Isle, all isles

excelling” in 1761 (Charles Wesley’s words are a rewriting

of the song). It’s a tricky sing, and unfamiliar, but worth

considering for a choir. We’ll hear verse 3 to it in a moment –

but as you listen, consider which of the tunes we’ve heard

today speaks to you. Which do you find most helpful to tell of

God’s love? There are also many more to choose from, including

Blaenwern of couse. Let me know if I’ve missed your favourite

tune out – this hymn might just need a second podcast.

♫ Westminster: v3