Embracing Divine Love: Reflections on “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” by George Matheson
Introduction
George Matheson’s hymn, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go, written in 1882, has been a source of comfort and inspiration for millions. This profound piece explores themes of unwavering love, divine guidance, joy amidst pain, and the promise of resurrection. Set to the hauntingly beautiful tune ST. MARGARET (Peace), the hymn remains widely loved and is included in numerous hymnals, like Voices Together #608. This post takes a closer look at the imagery and theology woven into each verse, offering a modern reflection on Matheson’s timeless words.
Verse 1: Finding Rest in God’s Love
“O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in Thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.”
In the first verse, Matheson speaks of a divine love that never relinquishes its hold. This Love is a sanctuary, inviting us to surrender and find rest. The poet envisions his life as a small stream returning to the boundless ocean of God’s being, finding renewal and abundance. For Matheson, to “give back the life I owe” is a gesture of humility, recognizing that in yielding to God, life becomes richer and fuller than we could achieve on our own.
Verse 2: A Guiding Light in the Darkness
“O Light that follows all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.”
This second verse introduces the image of light as God’s continual guidance, faithfully illuminating our path. Matheson acknowledges that our own light—our “flickering torch”—is limited and often faltering. By yielding to the divine Light, we gain clarity, strength, and perspective. This surrender doesn’t diminish our inner light; instead, it allows it to shine more brightly within God’s greater illumination, symbolizing a life lived in harmony with the Creator.
Verse 3: Joy and Hope Amidst Suffering
“O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.”
In the third verse, Matheson delves into one of the hymn’s most powerful themes: the pursuit of joy even in suffering. Here, joy isn’t something we achieve on our own; it “seekest me,” relentlessly pursuing us even through our darkest moments. The line, “I trace the rainbow through the rain,” symbolizes a glimmer of hope, a reminder that after hardship, there will be beauty and peace. Matheson captures the essence of faith in this promise, trusting that one day, pain will cease, and “morn shall tearless be.”
Verse 4: Embracing the Cross and the Promise of New Life
“O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee.
I lay in dust, life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red,
life that shall endless be.”
Matheson ends with an image of surrender to the Cross, accepting suffering and mortality as part of the Christian journey. There is a profound trust in this act—rather than fleeing hardship, he chooses to face it. By laying down his earthly “glory,” he finds that new life emerges, symbolized by “the blossoms red,” a representation of Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life. This is the hymn’s climax, where Matheson’s faith reaches its fullest expression: from death comes life, and from despair, an unending hope.
Conclusion
George Matheson’s O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go resonates because it speaks directly to the human heart’s yearning for divine assurance and presence, especially during times of struggle. Matheson’s words are a reminder of a Love that will never abandon us, a Light that guides us, a Joy that sustains us, and a Cross that transforms us. Each verse, rich with imagery and theological depth, invites us to trust and rest in the knowledge that we are eternally held by God’s unbreakable love.
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