1 O MAY thy powerful word
Inspire a feeble worm
To rush into thy kingdom, Lord,
And take it as by storm!
2 O may we all improve
The grace already given,
To seize the crown of perfect love,
And scale the mount of heaven!
O May Thy Powerful Word
O May Thy Powerful Word Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
O May Thy Powerful Word by Charles Wesley is a powerful hymn that speaks to the Christian's desire to be inspired by the word of God, to be empowered by it, and to be able to take the kingdom of God by storm. This hymn is a testament to the power of the word of God in the life of a believer and the transformative effect it can have on the human spirit.
The Inspiration Behind the Hymn
Charles Wesley, the writer of the hymn, was a prolific hymn writer and a co-founder of the Methodist Movement, along with his brother John Wesley. He was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, in 1707, and grew up in a family that was deeply committed to the Church of England. Charles Wesley was well-educated and had a great love for music and poetry. He wrote over 6,000 hymns in his lifetime, many of which are still sung today.
Charles Wesley was a man of deep faith who was deeply committed to the Word of God. He believed that the Word of God was the foundation of the Christian faith and that it was the key to spiritual growth and transformation. He was inspired by the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:17, which says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
The Meaning of the Hymn
O May Thy Powerful Word is a hymn that speaks to the transformative power of the Word of God in the life of a believer. The hymn begins with a plea for God to inspire the believer with His powerful Word, to empower them to take the kingdom of God by storm. The first verse of the hymn says:
O may thy powerful word
Inspire a feeble worm
To rush into thy kingdom, Lord,
And take it as by storm!
The hymn acknowledges the weakness of the human spirit and the need for the power of God's Word to inspire and empower the believer. The second verse of the hymn speaks to the believer's desire to grow in their faith and to be transformed by the Word of God:
O may we all improve
The grace already given,
To seize the crown of perfect love,
And scale the mount of heaven!
The hymn encourages the believer to seek to improve the grace that has already been given to them, to grow in their faith, and to strive for perfection in their love for God. The hymn acknowledges that the journey towards spiritual growth and transformation can be difficult, but that with the power of God's Word, the believer can overcome any obstacle:
Bold in the faith we'll stand,
On thee our hope rely,
O may we all, at thy right hand,
With thee in glory shine.
The hymn encourages the believer to stand boldly in their faith, to rely on God's power and strength, and to trust in His promise of eternal life.
Bible References in the Hymn
The hymn is filled with references to the Bible, particularly to the New Testament. The first verse of the hymn speaks to the believer's desire to take the kingdom of God by storm, which is a reference to Matthew 11:12, which says, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."
The second verse of the hymn speaks to the believer's desire to improve the grace that has already been given to them and to strive for perfection in their love for God. This is a reference to 2 Peter 3:18, which says, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
The hymn also speaks to the believer's hope of eternal life and their desire to be with God in glory. This is a reference to Revelation 22:5, which says, "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
The Practical Application of the Hymn to Christian Living
The hymn O May Thy Powerful Word is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Word of God in the life of a believer. It encourages the believer to seek inspiration and empowerment from God's Word and to strive for spiritual growth and transformation. The hymn also reminds the believer of the hope of eternal life and their desire to be with God in glory.
As Christians, we are called to seek after God's Word and to allow it to transform us from the inside out. We are called to grow in our faith, to strive for perfection in our love for God, and to stand boldly in our faith, relying on God's power and strength. The hymn O May Thy Powerful Word is a powerful reminder of these truths and an inspiration for us to live out our faith in a way that honors God and brings glory to His name.
