Charles Wesley - O For That Tenderness Of Heart Lyrics
Lyrics
1 O FOR that tenderness of heart
Which bows before the Lord,
Acknowledging how just thou art,
And trembles at thy word!
O for those humble, contrite tears
Which from repentance flow,
That consciousness of guilt which fears
The long-suspended blow!
2 Saviour, to me in pity give
The sensible distress,
The pledge thou wilt at last receive,
And bid me die in peace;
Wilt from the dreadful day remove,
Before the evil come;
My spirit hide with saints above,
My body in the tomb.
Video
O For That Tenderness of Heart (Dalehurst) CM
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on June 29, 2022, the arrangement of Charles Wesley’s profound hymn, "O For That Tenderness of Heart (Dalehurst) CM," brings to contemporary attention a timeless prayer for spiritual sensitivity and genuine repentance. While modern recordings allow for renewed exposure, the substance of this hymn originates from one of Christianity's most prolific hymn writers, Charles Wesley, whose work in the 18th century profoundly shaped evangelical worship. This particular composition is not merely a song but a heartfelt petition, echoing the yearning of a soul deeply aware of its human frailties and the need for divine grace. It speaks to a universal spiritual condition, articulating a desire for a heart fully responsive to God's presence and truth, a theme as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
The hymn opens with a fervent supplication for a "tenderness of heart," a spiritual disposition that stands in stark contrast to the hardened heart Scripture often warns against. This isn't a plea for emotional weakness, but for a profound spiritual receptivity—a heart of flesh rather than stone, as promised in Ezekiel 36:26. To "bow before the Lord" signifies utter humility and reverence, a posture universally acknowledged in Scripture, where every knee will ultimately bow to Christ, as Philippians 2:10-11 proclaims. The acknowledgment of God's absolute justice, even in His judgments, speaks to a mature faith that trusts in His righteousness (Psalm 119:137), while trembling at His word is not born of paralyzing fear, but of profound awe and respect for His divine authority, a reverence that Isaiah 66:2 identifies as characteristic of those to whom the Lord looks. This initial stanza then transitions into a deeper request for "humble, contrite tears," tears that flow from genuine repentance. This mirrors Psalm 51:17, which assures us that a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. It’s a plea for a clear "consciousness of guilt," a necessary step before truly grasping the magnitude of grace, understanding that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). The phrase "fears the long-suspended blow" does not express a servile dread, but a holy awareness of the consequences of sin and the weight of God's justice, which ultimately drives one towards the mercy offered in Christ, recognizing that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
The second stanza shifts from self-reflection to direct address to the "Saviour," appealing for His pity. The prayer for "sensible distress" might seem counterintuitive, yet it is a plea for godly grief that leads to repentance and salvation, as distinct from worldly sorrow that leads to death (2 Corinthians 7:10). This deep conviction of sin is sought as "the pledge thou wilt at last receive," a divine assurance that God is indeed working in the soul, preparing it for acceptance. This inner work of the Holy Spirit serves as a down payment, a guarantee of future redemption, as Ephesians 1:13-14 describes. The ultimate desire articulated is to "die in peace," a longing for reconciliation with God so complete that the prospect of death is met with serenity, echoing the confidence expressed in Psalm 23:4, where the presence of the Lord dispels fear in the valley of the shadow of death. The hymn concludes with a powerful request for divine protection, to be "from the dreadful day remove, Before the evil come," referencing a desire for deliverance from tribulation and ultimate judgment, perhaps reminiscent of the promise in Isaiah 57:1-2 that the righteous are taken away from evil. The final lines, "My spirit hide with saints above, My body in the tomb," speak to the enduring hope of the believer. It is a confident expectation of spiritual communion with God and the redeemed in heaven, where our lives are hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3), while acknowledging the temporal reality of the body returning to the earth, awaiting the glorious resurrection described in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.
"O For That Tenderness of Heart" remains a potent and challenging prayer for anyone seeking a deeper, more authentic journey of faith. It doesn't shy away from the discomfort of self-examination or the seriousness of sin, but frames them within the context of God's overarching grace and the promise of peace. Wesley’s words serve as an enduring invitation to cultivate a spirit of humility, repentance, and unwavering trust in the Saviour, guiding us towards a profound relationship with God where true peace and eternal hope reside. This hymn, even centuries after its composition, continues to inspire a passionate pursuit of a heart fully surrendered and tenderly responsive to the divine.