Love Divine All Loves Excelling Words

So, picture this: you're at a fancy dinner party, the kind where the silverware has more than one fork, and suddenly, the host stands up, clears their throat, and starts singing. Now, I'm not talking about "Happy Birthday," folks. No, no, no. They're belting out something that sounds like it's straight from a cathedral, not your grandma's living room. What's going on here?

Well, my friends, you've just stumbled upon the musical equivalent of a religious experience. The host is crooning "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," a hymn that's been around since the 1700s. It's like the granddaddy of all love songs, but instead of a guitar, it's got a pipe organ backing it up.

Meet Charles Wesley, the Hymn Whisperer

Now, let's rewind a bit. This musical masterpiece was penned by Charles Wesley, the brother of that other famous Wesley, John. You know, the one who started Methodism. Charles was a bit of a hymn-writing machine. He's credited with composing over 6,000 hymns, which is like writing a novel every week for 10 years. Talk about productivity!

But here's where it gets interesting. Charles wasn't just a prolific writer; he was also a bit of a rebel. He was a Methodist preacher, but he didn't like the way the church was doing things. So, he started his own little group, the Holy Club, where he and his pals would meet up, pray, and sing hymns. They were so dedicated that people started calling them "Methodists" as a joke. You know, like how we call dedicated runners "joggers."

From Hymn to Hit (Sort Of)

Now, back to our dinner party. You're probably wondering, "Why haven't I heard this hymn before?" Well, it's not exactly a top 40 hit. But it has made a few appearances in pop culture. For instance, it was sung in the movie "The Passion of the Christ," and it's been covered by artists like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Yes, you read that right. The King of Rock 'n' Roll sang a hymn about divine love.

But here's the thing: while it might not be a chart-topper, this hymn has a serious staying power. It's been translated into over 200 languages, which is more than some pop songs can say. And it's still sung in churches all over the world today.

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles Wesley | UMC.org

Why Does It Resonate?

So, what's the secret to this hymn's success? Well, for one, it's got a pretty catchy tune. It's set to the same melody as "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty," which is basically the hymn world's equivalent of "Twist and Shout." But it's also got some pretty powerful lyrics.

Wesley was writing about a love that's not just about warm fuzzies or romantic dinners. He was talking about a love that's all-encompassing, that fills you up and spills over. A love that's not just about feeling good, but about doing good. It's a love that can change lives, and that's something worth singing about.

Sing It With Me

Now, I know what you're thinking. "This all sounds great, but I don't know the first thing about singing a hymn." Well, fear not! Here's a little secret: you don't have to be a professional singer to enjoy a good hymn. In fact, some of the best hymn-singers are the ones who don't care if they're hitting all the right notes. It's about the passion, not the pitch.

So, the next time you're at a dinner party, or even just sitting at home with a cup of tea, give "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" a try. You might just find that it's not so scary after all. And who knows? You might even start to feel that divine love that Wesley was talking about. Just don't be surprised if your neighbors start banging on the wall. They're probably just jealous of your beautiful singing voice.