Charles Wesley - How Sad Our State By Nature Is! Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

The contemporary recording of Charles Wesley's profound hymn, "How Sad Our State By Nature Is!" released on September 9, 2014, brings into sharp focus a timeless theological journey from utter human desperation to the embracing solace of divine grace. Wesley, a master hymnodist, crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, mapping the soul's awakening to its fallen condition and subsequent flight to Christ. This hymn acts as a spiritual roadmap, starting with a stark acknowledgement of human sin and culminating in an act of complete surrender to God, articulating core tenets of Christian faith with poetic precision.

The hymn opens by unflinchingly confronting the grim reality of humanity's natural condition. The lines describe a state where "our sin, how deep it stains!" and where "Satan binds our captive souls." This echoes biblical truths found in passages like Romans 3:23, which states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and Ephesians 2:1, reminding us that we were "dead in our trespasses and sins." Wesley powerfully illustrates the deep-seated nature of human fallenness, portraying individuals as enslaved and stained beyond self-redemption. This initial stark depiction serves to underscore the absolute necessity and profound wonder of the grace that is to follow.

A pivotal turning point arrives with the second stanza, marked by the exclamatory "But hark!" Here, the heavy silence of despair is pierced by "a voice of sovereign grace" sounding "from the sacred word." This invitation, "Ho, ye despairing sinners, come, and trust upon the Lord!" is a direct echo of Christ's open call in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," and the prophetic invitation in Isaiah 55:1, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters." It vividly presents the Gospel's core message: an unmerited, potent summons to find salvation and relief in God alone, emphasizing that even in our darkest moments, there is a divine call to hope.

The third stanza shifts to the individual's response, portraying a soul that "obeys the Almighty's call, and runs to this relief." Yet, Wesley does not shy away from the human struggle within faith, adding the poignant plea, "I would believe thy promise, Lord; O help my unbelief!" This raw, honest confession mirrors the desperate cry of the father in Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" It acknowledges that faith is not always an immediate, unwavering certainty, but often a journey requiring divine assistance to overcome doubt and fully embrace God's promises. This moment of vulnerability makes the hymn profoundly relatable to anyone navigating their spiritual path.

Building on this, the fourth stanza directs the seeking soul to the source of cleansing and redemption: "To the blest fountain of thy blood, Incarnate God, I fly." This imagery vividly points to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Incarnate God," whose shed blood provides purification from sin. This aligns with New Testament declarations such as 1 John 1:7, which affirms that "the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin," and Hebrews 9:22, which teaches that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The aspiration to "wash my spotted soul from sins of deepest dye" powerfully conveys the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice, offering complete forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

The hymn culminates in a complete and humble surrender in the fifth stanza. Describing the self as "A guilty, weak, and helpless worm," the worshiper falls "into thy hands." This posture of humility, recognizing utter dependence on God, precedes the profound declaration: "Be thou my strength and righteousness, my Saviour, and my all." This resonates deeply with scriptural principles of relying entirely on God, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:21, where Christ "who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God," and Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It signifies a complete transference of trust and identity from self to the divine, acknowledging Jesus as the sole source of empowerment, justification, salvation, and indeed, the very essence of existence. Wesley’s masterful progression through despair, divine invitation, human struggle, cleansing, and ultimate surrender offers not just a theological statement, but a deeply felt spiritual experience, inspiring devotion and reinforcing the transformative power of the Gospel.