1 SAVIOUR, let thy sanction rest
On the union witnessed now;
Be it with thy presence blessed,
Ratify the nuptial vow:
Hallowed let this union be,
With each other, and with thee.
2 Thou in Cana didst appear
At a marriage-feast like this;
Deign to meet us, Saviour, here,
Fountain of unmingled bliss!
Crown with joy this festive board,
Joy that earth cannot afford.
3 We no miracle require,
Turning water into wine;
All our panting hearts desire
Is to taste thy love divine:
Holy influence from above,
Consecrating earthly love.
4 Let the path our friends pursue,
From this hour together trod,
Many though its days, or few,
Be a pilgrimage to God;
To the land where rest is given,
To thy house, O Lord, in heaven.
Blessed Assurance Christian Worship Song Lyrics! Had God Stirred You for OFFERING? 👇Description
Saviour, Let Thy Sanction Rest Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
This hymn, penned by the prolific Charles Wesley, serves as a heartfelt prayer offered on the occasion of a Christian marriage. It is designed to voice the desire of the couple and their assembled community for divine ratification and blessing upon their union. As with many of Wesley's works, it articulates deep theological themes through accessible language, intended for congregational use during significant life events.
The lyrics begin by directly addressing the Saviour, asking for his sanction and presence to rest upon the union being witnessed. This opening establishes the central theme: the recognition that a marriage, while an earthly bond, is intended to be hallowed and blessed from above. The request is not merely for approval but for active divine involvement to make the relationship holy, connecting the individuals not only with each other but crucially, with God himself.
Recalling Christ's appearance at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee (John 2), the hymn invokes this biblical event as a precedent for the Saviour's presence at a wedding celebration. However, it quickly shifts the focus from the miraculous turning of water into wine to a deeper spiritual longing. The prayer is for unmingled bliss derived from the Saviour's presence and joy that transcends earthly limitations. The true desire articulated is not for material provision but for a taste of divine love and a holy influence from above to consecrate and elevate their earthly affection.
The final verse extends the prayer beyond the wedding day, focusing on the entirety of the couple's future life together. It asks that their shared path, whether long or short, be understood and lived as a deliberate pilgrimage towards God. This perspective frames their journey not just as shared human experience but as a spiritual progression aimed at reaching the ultimate destination – God's house in heaven, the place of eternal rest. The hymn thus encapsulates a complete spiritual vision for married life: blessed at the outset, sustained by divine love and presence, and oriented towards a heavenly goal.
