1 SON of thy Sire's eternal love,
Take to thyself thy mighty power,
Let all earth's sons thy mercy prove,
Let all thy bleeding grace adore;
The triumphs of thy love display,
In every heart reign thou alone,
Till all thy foes confess thy sway,
And glory ends what grace begun.
2 Spirit of grace, and health, and power,
Fountain of light and love below,
Abroad thy healing influence shower,
O'er all the nations let it flow;
Inflame our hearts with perfect love.
In us the work of faith fulfil;
So not heaven's host shall swifter move
Than we on earth, to do thy will.
3 Father, 'tis thine each day to yield
Thy children's wants a fresh supply,
Thou cloth'st the lilies of the field,
And hearest the young ravens cry:
On thee we cast our care; we live
Through thee, who know'st our every need;
O feed us with thy grace, and give
Our souls this day the living bread!
How To Get Married: #short
Son Of Thy Sire's Eternal Love Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Engaging with Charles Wesley's profound hymn, "Son Of Thy Sire's Eternal Love," through a recent interpretation titled "How To Get Married: #short" released on September 18, 2024, offers a fresh lens on a timeless truth. This release brings a classic piece of Christian worship into contemporary focus, inviting a new generation to ponder the depths of God's nature as penned by one of history's most prolific hymn writers. Wesley, living in a time of significant theological exploration and spiritual revival, consistently sought to articulate the core mysteries of faith with both precision and passion. This particular hymn stems from a deep meditation on the very being of Jesus Christ – His eternal relationship with God the Father, a truth fundamental to Christian doctrine. It doesn't arise from a specific dramatic event, but rather from the steady stream of Wesley's scriptural contemplation and his desire to give voice to the ineffable glory of the Godhead. The hymn’s purpose is clearly devotional and theological, aiming to lead the worshipper into awe and adoration of the divine Son.
The core meaning of "Son Of Thy Sire's Eternal Love" is an exploration of Christ's divine identity and His origin in the eternal love of the Father. The title itself points to Jesus as the Son, begotten not made, existing in a unique, eternal relationship with the Father, marked by profound, unending love. This resonates deeply with Scripture's portrayal of Christ. John's Gospel opens by declaring, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1), emphasizing His eternal nature and co-existence with the Father. Jesus Himself speaks of the Father's love for Him existing "before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24), a concept the hymn endeavors to grasp and express. Colossians 1:15 refers to Christ as "the image of the invisible God," the firstborn over all creation, highlighting His preeminence and divine likeness. Wesley's hymn, in essence, takes these monumental scriptural declarations and translates them into a form of worship, inviting us to contemplate the mystery of the Son who is eternally loved and eternally God.
Analyzing the hymn’s impact reveals its power to elevate the mind towards divine truth. It doesn't merely state facts about Christ; it prompts a response of wonder at His glorious person. By focusing on the 'eternal love' between Father and Son, the hymn underscores the very nature of God as love (1 John 4:8). This divine love is not just an attribute; it is the very dynamic within the Godhead from eternity. When we understand that the Son, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3), is the object of the Father's eternal affection, it shapes our understanding of redemption. God’s plan of salvation, sending His Son into the world, flows directly from this boundless, inherent love (John 3:16). The hymn encourages those who engage with it to see Christ not just as a historical figure or a sacrifice, but as the eternally existent, perfectly loved Son, through whom we gain access to that same divine love. Ephesians 1:4-6 speaks of us being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, reflecting a participation in this eternal plan rooted in God's love.
The craft of Wesley's writing in this hymn is geared towards fostering profound worship. Though we are avoiding extensive lyric quotation, we can speak to how the language typically employed by Wesley in such hymns – rich, reverent, and theologically dense – serves to convey the magnitude of the subject. He uses terms that speak of eternity, divine nature, and perfect unity, carefully chosen to articulate truths that stretch human comprehension. This careful articulation is designed to lead the worshipper beyond mere intellectual assent to a place of adoration, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The structure and progression of thought in the hymn likely move from contemplation of Christ's divine origin to His relationship with humanity and His work of salvation, grounding the worshipper's faith in the absolute reality of Christ's person. It prompts reflection on our own relationship with God, now made possible through the Son who shares this eternal bond of love.
Ultimately, "Son Of Thy Sire's Eternal Love" remains a potent reminder of the central figure of Christian faith – Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, existing in perfect love with the Father from all time. Its enduring relevance lies in its ability to draw us into the mystery of the Godhead and to deepen our appreciation for who Jesus is. In a world that often diminishes the person of Christ, this hymn stands as a robust declaration of His divine glory and the eternal love that flows between the Father and the Son. Engaging with this hymn, whether through ancient text or modern interpretation, is an invitation to profound worship, encouraging faith and inspiring awe at the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17). It serves as a beautiful vehicle for magnifying the name of Jesus, the Son of God's eternal love.
