Day 60 - Love Divine – A traditional hymn but not as we know it

I recently visited Llys-y-Fran Country Park and Reservoir with my friends, Rob and Ting. I met Rob at Nottingham during my CIPT training. We get on well, despite Rob being a Baptist pastor. Anyway, the country park has a memorial stone for William Penfro Rowlands, composer of hymn-tune ‘Blaenwern.’ The tune has a metre of 8.7.87.D, with alternating lines of eight and seven syllables, in F major, G major or even A flat major. Most people associate this tune with the hymn, Love divine, all loves excelling, but it is also used with some popular Welsh hymns. The pairing of Blaenwern and Love divine has proved popular with both the public and the Royals as part of wedding services. The hymn was sung at the weddings of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, and Prince William and Katherine Middleton.

The original words were penned by Charles Wesley, in 1747. They have been paired with the tunes titled, ‘Beecher,’ ‘Hyfrydol,’ as well as ‘Blaenwern.’ However, the lyrics are controversial to some groups of believers, due to the ‘second blessing,’ and ‘perfectionism,’ references. In fact, several Christian groups remove verse 2 altogether. Others changed the words in verse 2 from, ‘Let us find that second rest,’ to, ‘Let us find that promised rest,’ and, ‘Take away the power of sinning,’ to, 'Take away the love of sinning.’ And there will be other word variations to match other desired theology. But is this right, especially when the original hymn writer is shown as the author? Should we adulterate lyrics, simply to match theological preferences, or should we use a different hymn?

This practice is more common than you think. Most of you will be familiar with The National Anthem, ‘God save our gracious Queen,’ etc. But are you aware that this Anthem has six verses? Yes, six! Verse six refers to a conflict involving Marshall Wade and the ‘Scots.’ You might not think of this as a hymn, but it appears in several hymn books, including Mission Praise.

So, we started with a monument in Pembrokeshire, moved on through Wesley to consider theological bias, before ending with the National Anthem. But that is what hymns should do. They should touch your heart, mind and soul. With one hymn you can feel as if you are soaring high above the mountains, as you praise the Lord. With another hymn you can feel respect, and thoughtful, as you remember a loved one who has been promoted to glory. Take time to read the words and feel enflamed by the passion evoked from both the melody and the lyrics. Never again sing:

I have sung this hymn so many times,

I know it off by heart,

I know its rhythms and its rhymes,

But it touches not my heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to sing our psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to your glory. Help us to feel the lyrics and the melody, to move our hearts to a greater appreciation of you. Amen

Michael Rolton