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Home > Resources > Liturgical Arts > Music > Hymnody Heroes of Faith: Charles Wesley
Bethany Meyer
Calvin College Chapel
January 2007
Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (PsH 501)
This song was written by Charles Wesley as a response to his conversion; originally written with eighteen stanzas, the words call Christians to fulfill their call to missions by spreading the gospel to all peoples and languages in the world.
Charles Wesley is considered one of the greatest poets of his time, writing countless poems of deep faith and understanding from which we have many loved and well-known hymns today. His words, though somewhat in the vernacular of his day, have survived the test of time and still bring comfort, hope, and understanding to Christians today; it is for these reasons and much more that his hymns are so well-known and loved.
Charles Wesley was born Dec. 18, 1707, to Samuel and Susanna Wesley, the 18th child born and the 9th to survive infancy. In 1726, he followed the Wesley men and attended Oxford, where he lived close enough to form a bond with his older brother John. He was ordained in the Church of England in September, 1735, and in February, 1736, he traveled to Georgia to take up the pastorate at a church there. Charles’ brother John convinced him to take up this task, but it turned out to be a mistake, as Charles didn’t know how to properly pastor the people. He imposed too strict of rules and codes on the people, causing troubles that grew large enough to send Charles back home to England.
In 1738, a man named Peter Böhler arrived in England and stayed near the Wesleys for three months. While there, he met and influenced John and Charles into a religion and salvation based on faith rather than on mere decision. Then, in May, 1738, both John, and then Charles, converted to a faith-based religion that began a strong partnership between the two brothers. This change in perspective led to the Wesley brothers developing the Methodist movement.
Wesley wrote the hymn "Rejoice, the Lord Is King" in response to Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 15:51-52, encouraging Christians to recall that the essence of daily life should be joy. He emphasizes this point by writing a refrain, and also, to enhance the effect of the words, Handel wrote the majestic tune that we still use with the text today. Through the powerful wording of his verses, Wesley conveys that Christ is the ruler of the world, that his kingdom will never fail, and that it is our call to rejoice in this glorious hope.
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (PsH 408)
The hymn "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" was published in 1740, during a time of conflict within the Church of England, and in England itself. Often beaten and run out of town, Charles and John learned anew the meaning of hoping for the storms of life to pass, and recognizing that it is only God that protects us. When we realize that what we want is Jesus Christ, then we are a long way in discovering what we want to do with our lives.
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (PsH 578)
I have been inspired by Wesley’s hymns in my own spiritual walk, by the words that often hit close to home with their directness and theological depth, and by the tunes that have been effectively paired with the insightful words of Wesley. If you are willing to place yourself in Wesley’s life situation, and if you can listen carefully to the words of his hymns, it is likely that you will leave with a desire to live your life for Christ, and with a better understanding of why you believe the Christian faith.
The words of "And Can It Be" reflect the soul-searching quest of Charles Wesley as he came to the realization that he needed to care about the sacrifice Jesus made centuries ago. Charles, through reading Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians, recognized that his own sin was part of all the sin of humankind that Jesus took with him on the cross, and this led to his conversion to a faith-based religion. When we think carefully about the words that Charles Wesley wrote, we can also come to grow in our relationship with God as we ponder the amazing love shown to us in Jesus.
And Can It Be (PsH 267)
In 1749, Charles married Sally Gwynne, from which came three children and a wonderful relationship of love and friendship. Our final song, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," is one of the most meaningful prayers for a love-filled life ever written. His words inspire us to grow in love through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and it concludes with a prayer to be made into a new creation through lifelong spiritual growth. As you sing these words, allow God to bless you with an overwhelming sense of his love.
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PsH 568)
PsH, Psalter Hymnal (CRC Publications, 1987)