1 O THAT I could my Lord receive,
Who did the world redeem,
Who gave his life, that I might live
A life concealed in him!
2 O that I could the blessing prove,
My heart's extreme desire,
Live happy in my Saviour's love,
And in his arms expire!
3 Mercy I ask to seal my peace,
That, kept by mercy's power,
I may from every evil cease,
And never grieve thee more
4 Now if thy gracious will it be,
Even now, my sins remove,
And set my soul at liberty
By thy victorious love.
5 In answer to ten thousand prayers,
Thou pardoning God, descend;
Number me with salvation's heirs,
My sins and troubles end.
6 Nothing I ask or want beside,
Of all in earth or heaven,
But let me feel thy blood applied,
And live and die forgiven.
O That I Could My Lord Receive
O That I Could My Lord Receive Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
On May 6, 2008, a recording was released featuring the timeless words of Charles Wesley's powerful hymn, "O That I Could My Lord Receive." This date marks a contemporary iteration of a profound expression of faith that has resonated across generations, offering listeners a chance to engage with its deep spiritual longing through a modern lens. The hymn itself is a direct, unvarnished cry from the soul, penned by one of history's most prolific hymn writers, known for his ability to articulate the raw emotions and earnest desires of the Christian walk. It speaks to a core human experience within faith: the yearning for deeper communion with the divine, the struggle with perceived distance, and the fervent prayer for acceptance and assurance from God.
At its heart, "O That I Could My Lord Receive" captures a pivotal moment in the spiritual journey – perhaps just before, during, or immediately after a significant turning point of conversion or recommitment. It reflects a soul acutely aware of its need for Christ and wrestling with the profound gap between personal unworthiness and the overwhelming invitation of divine grace. Wesley gives voice to this intense desire, laying bare the soul's vulnerability and dependence on God’s initiative. It’s a hymn not of triumphant declaration, but of humble, earnest petition, recognizing that receiving Christ is not merely an intellectual assent but a radical transformation initiated and sustained by God. The language, though centuries old, conveys a universal human experience: the desire to be fully known and fully accepted by the One who matters most.
Analyzing the song reveals a powerful theological framework rooted in Scripture. The central plea, "O That I Could My Lord Receive," echoes the invitation found in passages like John 1:12, which speaks of receiving Him giving the right to become children of God, or Revelation 3:20, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to open and receive Him in. The hymn often follows by acknowledging the singer's own sinfulness and brokenness, a posture deeply reflected in verses such as Romans 3:23, declaring that all have sinned, or Isaiah 64:6, describing our righteous deeds as inadequate. This awareness of unworthiness, however, does not lead to despair, but fuels the plea for mercy and grace, aligning perfectly with Ephesians 2:8-9, which states we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, and Titus 3:5, emphasizing salvation is not by deeds we have done but by His mercy.
The hymn then moves towards the desire for Christ to dwell within, a longing for indwelling presence captured in Galatians 2:20, where Paul states he no longer lives, but Christ lives in him, or Ephesians 3:17, praying that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. This reception is not a passive event but an active yielding of one’s life, a repentance and turning that the Bible calls for in Acts 2:38. The song's structure often reflects a movement from a place of spiritual struggle and longing – perhaps feeling far off or unable to grasp the fullness of God's love – to a hopeful anticipation of being fully embraced and cleansed, aligning with the promise in Psalm 34:18 that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Ultimately, "O That I Could My Lord Receive" is a prayer for the transformative power of God's grace to become a reality in the singer's life, allowing them to experience the new creation spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the assurance of salvation mentioned in 1 John 5:13. It serves as a powerful reminder that the Christian life begins and continues with an ongoing posture of humility, need, and open-handed reception of the Lord Jesus Christ.
