Charles Wesley - Long Have I Lived In Grief And Pain Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

The recent release on April 23, 2022, invites a fresh contemplation of Charles Wesley’s profound hymn, "Long Have I Lived In Grief And Pain," a timeless declaration of human brokenness and divine healing. This lyrical journey delves into the universal experience of suffering, a profound despair that finds no solace in worldly remedies, before culminating in the transformative embrace of faith in Jesus Christ. It is a powerful narrative of spiritual pilgrimage, moving from profound affliction to triumphant redemption, resonating deeply with anyone who has grappled with life’s unyielding challenges.

The hymn opens with a raw, honest confession of protracted anguish, "Long have I lived in grief and pain, And suffered many things in vain, And all physicians tried." This sentiment immediately connects with the human condition, where individuals often seek relief from various ailments—physical, emotional, or spiritual—only to find their efforts fruitless. The initial verses paint a vivid picture of a soul plagued by an "incurable" spiritual sickness, a "fountain undried," echoing the biblical lamentations found in Isaiah 1:5-6, which describes a nation sick from head to foot, without soundness. It speaks to the futility of relying on human wisdom or material solutions, as articulated in Jeremiah 17:9, where the heart is described as deceitful above all things and desperately sick. The repeated failures to find succor lead to a desperate relinquishing of all self-effort, a complete surrender: "From all my works I cease." This moment of profound surrender is crucial, as it prepares the ground for divine intervention, recognizing that no human means can truly "relieve, Or give my spirit ease."

A pivotal shift occurs with the dawning of "a better hope," a beacon of salvation found solely "in Jesu’s name." This hope is not a vague possibility but a tangible provision, "Succour there is for me laid up, For every helpless soul." Wesley brilliantly draws upon the powerful biblical account of the woman with a hemorrhage in Mark 5:25-34, who, after twelve years of suffering and failed medical treatments, believed that merely touching Jesus' garment's hem would make her whole. The yearning "Could I but touch his garment’s hem, Even I should be made whole" is not merely wishful thinking; it is an act of nascent, desperate faith, a recognition that salvation is not earned but received through contact with Christ’s divine power. This hope signifies the truth of Acts 4:12, proclaiming that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved."

The journey then moves to the act of approaching this hope. With "humble awe," the seeker comes "behind," not daring to stand before Christ's face directly, a profound expression of unworthiness and reverence. This humility mirrors the attitude described in James 4:8, urging individuals to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." It is in this vulnerable posture that "faith puts forth a trembling hand, To apprehend his love." This "trembling hand" encapsulates the paradox of faith—it is both fragile and powerful, an act of sheer will against overwhelming doubt and past failures. It is a testament to the truth that "without faith it is impossible to please God," as stated in Hebrews 11:6, underscoring that this spiritual touch is not a physical act but an interior movement of trust.

The climax of the hymn is the moment of connection, an immediate and deeply personal experience of divine healing: "I touch him now! by faith even I, My Lord, lay hold on thee." This is not a hesitant touch but a decisive grasp, demonstrating that faith makes the intangible real and immediate. The profound realization follows instantly: "Thy power is present now to heal, I feel, through all my soul I feel That Jesus died for me." This is the core message of redemption, a direct appropriation of Christ's sacrifice. The sensation is holistic, felt "through all my soul," confirming the spiritual healing and peace that surpasses all understanding, aligning with Romans 5:8, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The healing is complete, a spiritual resurrection from the depths of pain.

Emerging from this transformative encounter, the newly healed soul bursts into triumphant affirmation: "I glory in redemption found." This is no longer a plea but a declaration, an open acknowledgment of God's grace. The individual, previously a "conscious sinner" and a "worm," now stands redeemed, bearing witness to the "miracle thy grace hath done." This echoes Psalm 107:2, which encourages "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." The final stanza moves beyond personal experience to public proclamation: "With lowly reverential fear I testify that thou art near, To all who seek thy love." The healed one becomes a herald, proclaiming Jesus as the "Saviour of all," extending an invitation for "The world [to] know thy saving name And all its wonders prove." This outward testimony fulfills the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20 and the call to be witnesses in Acts 1:8, spreading the good news of a love that conquers grief and pain, offering salvation to every helpless soul. "Long Have I Lived In Grief And Pain" is thus not just a hymn but a profound sermon in verse, an inspiring testament to the power of Christ to heal and transform.