Charles Wesley - Infinite Power, Eternal Lord Lyrics
Lyrics
1 INFINITE Power, eternal Lord,
How sovereign is thy hand!
All nature rose to obey thy word,
And moves at thy command.
2 With steady course the shining sun
Keeps his appointed way;
And all the hours obedient run
The circle of the day.
3 But, ah! how wide my spirit flies,
And wanders from her God!
My soul forgets the heavenly prize,
And treads the downward road.
4 The raging fire and stormy sea
Perform thy awful will;
And every beast and every tree
Thy great design fulfil.
5 Shall creatures of a meaner frame
Pay all their dues to thee?
Creatures that never knew thy name,
That ne'er were loved like me?
6 Great God! create my soul anew,
Conform my heart to thine;
Melt down my will, and let it flow,
And take the mould divine.
7 Then shall my feet no more depart,
Nor my affections rove;
Devotion shall be all my heart,
And all my passions, love.
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Charles Wesley Hymns you've never Heard of, but you should know - #1 "Infinite Power, Eternal Lord"
Meaning & Inspiration
The hymn "Infinite Power, Eternal Lord," a jewel from the prolific Charles Wesley, first graced listeners with its profound message on September 15, 2022, though its roots stretch back to the 18th century, embodying a timeless truth. This composition is far more than just a collection of verses; it's a vibrant theological declaration, a deeply personal plea, and an inspiring call to reflection. At its core, the hymn powerfully articulates the boundless sovereignty and omnipotence of God. Wesley opens by marveling at the divine authority that governs the entire cosmos, from the celestial march of the sun ("With steady course the shining sun / Keeps his appointed way") to the predictable rhythm of time itself. This grandeur is immediately contrasted with the human condition, acknowledging the spirit's tendency to stray from its divine source, often finding itself lost in worldly pursuits, forgetting the ultimate spiritual reward. The lyrics paint a stark picture of this internal wandering, a stark departure from the perfect order observed in creation.
The hymn skillfully uses the natural world as a testament to God's unwavering control, citing the very elements – "The raging fire and stormy sea" – as instruments of His will, just as every living creature and plant ultimately serves His grand design. This observation leads to a poignant rhetorical question: if even inanimate objects and creatures devoid of spiritual awareness instinctively obey their Creator, how much more should humanity, who has been uniquely loved and endowed with reason and spirit, respond to Him? This contemplation shifts the focus from God's cosmic dominion to the individual's responsibility and privilege. The plea in the latter half of the hymn is intensely personal and transformative. Wesley implores God for a radical spiritual renewal, asking for his soul to be "create[d] anew" and his heart to be "conform[ed] to thine." This isn't a request for minor adjustments but a profound desire for complete surrender, for his will to be reshaped and molded by the divine. This yearning for transformation echoes biblical passages like Ezekiel 36:26, where God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
The ultimate aspiration articulated is a life wholly dedicated to God. The hymn concludes with a vision of unwavering devotion, where the soul no longer falters, and affections are directed solely towards divine love. It envisions a state where "Devotion shall be all my heart, / And all my passions, love." This pursuit of a life saturated with divine love and absolute devotion is the very essence of Christian living, a continuous striving to align oneself with God's perfect will, as expressed in the Great Commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind. The power of "Infinite Power, Eternal Lord" lies in its sweeping declaration of God's majesty, its honest portrayal of human frailty, and its fervent prayer for divine restoration, making it a truly inspiring and enduring piece of spiritual reflection.