18 May 2009

a welsh love song for my birthday


on saturday steve preached at an outreach for blind people in llandudno. an irish man who grew up in wales also spoke. he testified to the Lord's saving grace in his life and then sang what he called this "welsh love song." it was so moving to hear it from someone who had really tasted the Lord's salvation (and the irish accent helped). i've heard it to another tune in the states but the tune he sang is a welsh one. it was written by william rees.

Here is love, vast as the ocean,Lovingkindness as the flood,When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,Shed for us His precious blood.Who His love will not remember?Who can cease to sing His praise?He can never be forgotten,Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,Fountains opened deep and wide;Through the floodgates of God’s mercyFlowed a vast and gracious tide.Grace and love, like mighty rivers,Poured incessant from above,And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justiceKissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,Love Thee, ever all my days;Let me seek Thy kingdom onlyAnd my life be to Thy praise;Thou alone shalt be my glory,Nothing in the world I see.Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct meBy Thy Spirit through Thy Word;And Thy grace my need is meeting,As I trust in Thee, my Lord.Of Thy fullness Thou art pouringThy great love and power on me,Without measure, full and boundless,Drawing out my heart to Thee.
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3 comments:

Jennifer Arnold said...

Happy, happy birthday, Marcia!
Love you!

Erika said...

I love this song! I was introduced to it here when I accompanied a girl in our church for her solo. and I've heard it called the love song of the Welsh revivals--and found some beautiful video clips online--in Welsh!

And have a wonderful birthday!!

David Naylor said...

I've run into a different version of the 3rd stanza's last two phrases: "Dying love has sanctified me - risen love has set me free." Wonderful either way!