Charles Wesley - O Jesus, At Thy Feet We Wait Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

While penned centuries ago, Charles Wesley's profound hymn "O Jesus, At Thy Feet We Wait" found renewed resonance with its 2016-02-01 release, reminding contemporary audiences of its enduring spiritual depth and urgent plea for divine transformation. This release invites a fresh contemplation of a core Wesleyan tenet: the yearning for entire sanctification. The hymn serves not merely as a prayer but as a powerful declaration of spiritual longing, echoing the believer's desire to be wholly conformed to the image of Christ and liberated from the power and presence of sin.

The heart of the hymn unfolds as a fervent petition, expressing a deep-seated aspiration for restoration to a state of primal innocence and unwavering devotion. Wesley captures a collective spiritual posture, waiting at Jesus' feet, signifying humility, submission, and expectant faith. The phrase "Restored to our unsinning state, To love's sweet paradise" speaks to a return to Eden-like purity, not through human effort, but by divine intervention. This echoes the promise of a new creation in Christ, where "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV), and the hope of dwelling in God's unblemished presence.

The second verse intensifies this plea, directly naming Jesus as "Saviour from sin, we thee receive, From all indwelling sin." This is a crucial distinction, moving beyond forgiveness of past transgressions to an active deliverance from the very root and power of sin within the believer's heart. Wesley emphasizes unwavering trust in Christ's atoning work, stating, "Thy blood, we steadfastly believe, Shall make us throughly clean." This resonates deeply with Scripture that speaks of cleansing and purification through Christ's sacrifice, as seen in 1 John 1:7, which declares, "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin," and Hebrews 9:14, which testifies to Christ's blood purifying our conscience from dead works. It is a bold affirmation of the efficacy of the cross to not only cover but to eradicate sin's dominion.

The hymn then progresses to affirm God's gracious will for humanity's purity. "Since thou wouldst have us free from sin, And pure as those above," the hymn states, reflecting divine commands for holiness found throughout the Bible. Peter exhorts believers to "be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). This divine mandate fuels the earnest prayer, "Make haste to bring thy nature in, And perfect us in love." This petition is for an internal transformation, an infusion of God's own character and attributes, aligning with Galatians 2:20 where Paul writes, "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." The perfection sought is not moral flawlessness in a human sense, but a spiritual maturity characterized by perfect love, which is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10).

The urgency of the hymn is palpable in its fervent cry: "The counsel of thy love fulfil; Come quickly, gracious Lord!" This is not a passive waiting but an active, anticipatory posture, desiring the swift actualization of God's redemptive plan in the individual and communal life. The assurance rests on divine faithfulness: "Be it according to thy will, According to thy word!" This echoes Mary’s humble submission, "Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), and Jesus' prayer for God's will to be done (Matthew 6:10). The hymn then pivots to the role of human faith in receiving this grace: "According to our faith in thee Let it to us be done." This highlights the essential partnership between divine initiative and human belief, where faith acts as the conduit for God's transformative power, as articulated in Romans 1:17, "The righteous shall live by faith."

The culmination of Wesley's profound longing is beautifully expressed in the final stanzas, envisioning ultimate communion and fullness in God. "O that we all thy face might see, And know as we are known!" is a deeply personal and eschatological hope, drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." This anticipates a glorious unveiling, where all spiritual barriers are removed. The final verse, "O that the perfect grace were given, The love diffused abroad! O that our hearts were all a heaven, For ever filled with God!" is a magnificent prayer for the indwelling Spirit to fully occupy and sanctify the believer, making the heart a sanctuary where God reigns supreme. It speaks to the abundant outpouring of God's love (Romans 5:5) and the ultimate state of blessedness where God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3-4), transforming human hearts into a foretaste of heaven itself. This hymn, therefore, stands as a timeless and deeply inspiring testament to the Christian's earnest hope for complete spiritual renewal and an intimate, unbroken fellowship with God.