SAVIOUR, I still to thee apply,
Before I read or hear,
Creator of the seeing eye,
And of the hearing ear:
The understanding heart bestow,
The wisdom from above,
So shall I all thy doctrines know,
And all thy sayings love.
Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply Video
Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply by Charles Wesley is a hymn that speaks to the heart of every Christian who desires to know God more intimately. The song is a prayer that expresses the yearning of the soul to be filled with the wisdom and understanding that comes from God alone.
The Meaning of the Song
The song's title, "Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply," is a clear indication of its purpose. The word "apply" means to make use of or to put into practice. Therefore, the song is a plea to the Saviour to grant the singer the necessary understanding and wisdom to apply His teachings in their daily lives. The first stanza of the song reads:
"Saviour, I still to thee apply,
Before I read or hear,
Creator of the seeing eye,
And of the hearing ear:
The understanding heart bestow,
The wisdom from above,
So shall I all thy doctrines know,
And all thy sayings love."
The singer acknowledges that before they can even read or hear God's word, they require His intervention to open their spiritual eyes and ears. The singer recognizes that God is the Creator of the seeing eye and the hearing ear. As such, they are pleading for the gift of understanding, wisdom, and knowledge that only comes from God. The singer desires to know and love all of God's teachings and sayings, which can only be achieved through God's grace.
The second stanza of the song continues with the theme of seeking God's wisdom and understanding:
"But shall I learn the truth divine,
With merely human reason?
No, Lord, the Spirit's gifts are mine,
For all is given by thee:
The mind which is in Christ renewed,
The Spirit's witness, heavenly food,
Thy precious word of liberty."
The singer acknowledges that human reason alone cannot comprehend God's truth. It is only through the Spirit's gifts that one can truly understand God's teachings. The singer recognizes that all gifts come from God and that the mind must be renewed in Christ to receive the Spirit's witness and heavenly food. The singer alludes to the Bible verse in John 6:55, where Jesus said, "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink."
The third stanza of the song continues with the theme of seeking God's wisdom and understanding:
"Jesus, for this I still attend
Thy providential ways,
And to thy promises, my friend,
With strong desire I gaze:
O give me, Lord, my sins to mourn,
My heart with holy sorrow turn,
And glance my dying eyes."
The singer recognizes that Jesus is the source of all wisdom and understanding. The singer acknowledges that they need to look to Jesus' providential ways and promises to gain a deeper understanding of God. The singer recognizes the need for repentance and holy sorrow for their sins. The singer alludes to the Bible verse in 2 Corinthians 7:10, where it says, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
The Inspiration and Story Behind the Song
Charles Wesley, the writer of the song, was an English leader of the Methodist movement and a prolific hymn writer. He wrote over 6,000 hymns during his lifetime, many of which are still sung today. The inspiration behind the song "Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply" is not known, but it is clear that Wesley had a deep desire to know God more intimately.
The song was first published in 1749 in Wesley's collection of hymns, "Hymns and Sacred Poems." The song is often sung to the tune "St. Anne," which is the same tune used for the hymn "O God, Our Help in Ages Past."
Bible Verses References in the Song
The song "Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply" draws inspiration from several Bible verses, including:
- Proverbs 2:6 - "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 - "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
- John 6:55 - "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink."
- 2 Corinthians 7:10 - "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
Practical Application of the Song in Christian Living
The song "Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply" is a reminder to Christians that they need God's wisdom and understanding to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The song reminds us that we cannot rely on our own human reason to understand God's teachings. We must look to God's Spirit for guidance and understanding.
The song also reminds us of the need for repentance and holy sorrow for our sins. It is only through repentance that we can experience God's forgiveness and receive the gift of salvation.
In conclusion, the song "Saviour, I Still To Thee Apply" is a beautiful prayer that expresses the yearning of the soul to be filled with the wisdom and understanding that comes from God alone. The song reminds us that we need to look to God's Spirit for guidance and understanding and that we must repent of our sins to receive God's forgiveness and the gift of salvation. As Christians, let us continue to apply ourselves to God and seek His wisdom and understanding in all areas of our lives.
