O Love Divine, How Sweet Thou Art

Verse 1
O love divine, how sweet thou art!
When shall I find my longing[1] heart
All taken up by thee?
I thirst, I[2] faint, and die, to prove (Ps. 42:1, Ps. 63:1)
The greatness of redeeming love, (John 15:13)
The love of Christ to me.

Verse 2
Stronger his love, than death or hell; (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Its riches are unsearchable: (Romans 11:33, Ephesians 3:8)
The first-born sons of light
Desire in vain its depth to see; (I Peter 1:12)
They cannot reach the mystery,
The length, and breadth, and height. (Ephesians 3:18-19)

Verse 3
God only knows the love of God. (Eph. 3:18-19)
O that it now were shed abroad (Rom. 5:5)
In this poor stony heart! (Ezek. 11:19, Ezek. 36:26)
For love I sigh, for love I pine:
This only portion, Lord, be mine, (Ps. 73:26)
Be mine this better part!

Verse 4
O that I could for ever sit,
With Mary, at the Master’s feet! (Luke 10:39)
Be this my happy choice! (Luke 10:42)
My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my heav’n on earth be this,
To hear the Bridegroom’s voice. (John 3:29, Rev. 18:23, Matt. 25:6, Jer. 7:34, Jer. 16:9, Jer. 25:10, Jer. 33:11)

Verse 5
O that with humbled Peter I
Could weep, believe, and thrice reply, (Matt. 26:75, :uke 21:61-62, John 21:15-17)
My faithfulness to prove!
Thou know’st, for all to thee is known, (John 2:24-25)
Thou know’st, O Lord, and thou alone,
Thou know’st, that thee I love. (John 21:17)

Verse 6
O that I could, with favour’d John,
Recline my weary head upon
The dear Redeemer’s breast! (John 13:23-25, John 21:20)
From care, and sin, and sorrow free,
Give me, O Lord, to find in thee
My everlasting rest. (Matt. 11:28, Heb. 4:1-11)

Verse 7
Thy only love do I require,
Nothing on[3] earth beneath desire, (Col. 3:2)
Nothing in heaven above: (Ps. 73:25)
Let earth and heaven, and all things go, (Phil. 3:8)
Give me thine[4] only love to know,
Give me thine[5] only love.

[1] Wesley changed “longing” to “willing” in 1749.
[2] Wesley changed “I” to “and” in 1749.
[3] Wesley changed “on” to “in” in 1749.
[4] Wesley changed “thine” to “thy” in 1749.
[5] Wesley changed “thine” to “thy” in 1749.