1 JESU, whose glory's streaming rays,
Though duteous to thy high command,
Not seraphs view with open face,
But veiled before thy presence stand;
2 How shall weak eyes of flesh, weighed down
With sin, and dim with error's night,
Dare to behold thy awful throne,
Or view thy unapproached light?
3 Restore my sight! let thy free grace
An entrance to the holiest give;
Open mine eyes of faith! thy face
So shall I see; yet seeing live.
4 Thy golden sceptre from above
Reach forth: see, my whole heart I bow:
Say to my soul, "Thou art my love,
My chosen 'midst ten thousand, thou!"
5 O Jesus, full of grace! the sighs
Of a sick heart with pity view;
Hark, how my silence speaks, and cries
"Mercy, thou God of mercy, show!"
6 I know thou canst not but be good;
How shouldst thou, Lord, thy grace restrain?
Thou, Lord, whose blood so freely flowed
To save me from all guilt and pain.
Jesu, Whose Glory's Streaming Rays
Jesu, Whose Glory's Streaming Rays Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Charles Wesley's hymn, "Jesu, Whose Glory's Streaming Rays," delves into profound theological themes of God's transcendent glory and the human condition. Penned by one of the most prolific hymnwriters in Christian history, the text reflects a deep awe of the divine majesty coupled with a keenly felt sense of human frailty and sin. While the hymn itself is centuries old, a song video released on May 26, 2023, brought renewed attention to this classic text, offering a modern visual or musical interpretation for a contemporary audience and further cementing its enduring relevance.
The hymn opens by contemplating the overwhelming brightness of God's glory, so intense that even the highest angelic beings, the seraphs, must veil themselves in His presence. This sets a stark contrast with the human perspective, immediately raising the question of how mere mortals, burdened by sin and spiritually dimmed, could ever hope to approach or comprehend such absolute, unapproached light and an awful throne. This early part of the hymn establishes the immense gulf between the Holy God and fallen humanity. Scripture often speaks of God's glory as unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16) and the reverence it inspires (Isaiah 6:1-5).
A turning point occurs with a fervent plea for divine intervention. Recognizing the impossibility of approaching God on human merit, the hymn cries out for restoration of spiritual sight through God's free grace. The request is specific: not merely physical sight, but "eyes of faith." This echoes the biblical concept that spiritual truth and the presence of God are discerned not by physical vision but by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1). The hope is that through this divinely granted faith, one can see God's face and paradoxically "yet seeing live," overcoming the fatal consequences often associated in scripture with seeing God directly (Exodus 33:20).
The prayer continues with a request for intimate acceptance and assurance. The imagery shifts to that of a king extending a golden scepter, a sign of favor and acceptance (Esther 5:2). The soul bows in complete submission, longing to hear the personal declaration of divine love, "Thou art my love, My chosen 'midst ten thousand, thou!" This reflects the yearning for individual relationship with God and the assurance of being personally chosen and loved, a theme found in passages like Song of Solomon 5:10 referring to Christ's uniqueness and God's specific love for His people.
The depth of human need is further expressed through the sighs of a "sick heart." This highlights a state of spiritual brokenness and sorrow over sin. Even in silence, the heart cries out for mercy, recognizing God as the ultimate source of compassion. This mirrors many psalms where the psalmist laments their condition and appeals to God's mercy (Psalm 51:1-2, Psalm 38:1-4). The cry is simple yet profound: "Mercy, thou God of mercy, show!"
The hymn concludes on a note of confident hope, grounded in the character of God and the completed work of Christ. There is a firm declaration of faith in God's inherent goodness and the certainty that He will not withhold His grace. The ultimate basis for this assurance is the sacrificial blood of Jesus, which flowed freely to save humanity from all guilt and pain. This central tenet of Christian faith, the atonement through Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18-19, Hebrews 9:22), provides the solid foundation upon which the seeker's hope for acceptance and mercy rests, transforming the initial awe and fear into worship and gratitude for saving grace.
