Charles Wesley - Woe Is Me! What Tongue Can Tell Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

The release of Charles Wesley’s profound hymn, “Woe Is Me! What Tongue Can Tell,” on December 30, 2021, represents a contemporary availability or re-recording of a timeless spiritual classic. Though Wesley himself penned these words in the 18th century, their digital re-emergence speaks to their enduring power and relevance for generations of believers. This hymn is a masterful journey through spiritual despair, desperate plea, and ultimate redemption, presenting a vivid allegorical interpretation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

At its core, “Woe Is Me! What Tongue Can Tell” is a powerful narrative of human fallenness and God’s sovereign grace. Wesley immediately plunges the soul into a state of profound distress, crying out, "Woe is me! what tongue can tell My sad afflicted state." This lament echoes the cries of many biblical figures who wrestled with suffering and sin, like David in the Psalms or Job in his trials. The speaker then vividly casts themselves as the victim in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, describing how they have "Fallen among thieves" who have "robbed me of my God" and "left me in my blood." This imagery powerfully conveys the spiritual desolation caused by sin, which separates humanity from its divine source, leaving one helpless and near death, mirroring the universal human experience of spiritual brokenness as described in Romans 3:23, where "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The "thieves" here are not merely physical assailants but represent the destructive forces of sin, temptation, and the spiritual enemy that strips away spiritual life and leaves one utterly vulnerable.

The hymn then transitions into a desperate appeal, recognizing the only one capable of offering salvation. The victim cries out, "O thou good Samaritan! In thee is all my hope; Only thou canst succour man, And raise the fallen up." This is where Wesley brilliantly elevates the literal Samaritan from Luke 10:33-35 to a profound Christological figure, identifying Jesus as the ultimate Rescuer of fallen humanity. The hymn emphasizes that salvation is found in no other, aligning with Peter’s declaration in Acts 4:12 that "there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved." The plea for Christ to "Hearken to my dying cry" and to "pass not by" reflects the urgency and humility of a soul acknowledging its complete inability to save itself and its utter dependence on divine intervention, much like the blind Bartimaeus crying out to Jesus in Mark 10:47-48.

Wesley continues to build upon this foundation, portraying Christ’s unchanging compassion and active grace. "Still thou journeyest where I am, Still thy compassions move; Pity is with thee the same, And all thy heart is love." This assures the seeker of God’s constant presence and unfailing love, a truth echoed in Hebrews 13:8 that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The prayer to "Stoop to a poor sinner, stoop, And let thy healing grace abound" employs imagery of humility and a yearning for spiritual restoration, directly referencing the Samaritan's action of binding up wounds. The petition to "Heal my bruises, and bind up My spirit's every wound" spiritualizes the physical care into a deep desire for forgiveness and inner healing. The subsequent stanza reinforces this by calling Jesus the "Good Physician" who alone can "heal my soul of sin," reminiscent of Jesus' own words in Mark 2:17, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." The plea for the "wine and oil of grace" further transforms the parable’s elements into symbols of divine comfort and cleansing.

The hymn then reaches a pivotal moment of assurance and salvation. The speaker proclaims, "Pity to my dying cries Hath drawn thee from above, Hovering over me, with eyes Of tenderness and love." This depicts the active, personal intervention of Christ, whose presence brings immediate comfort. The declaration, "Now, even now, I see thy face; The balm of Gilead I receive; Thou hast saved me by thy grace, And bade the sinner live," marks the moment of spiritual rebirth and acceptance. The "balm of Gilead," referenced in Jeremiah 8:22 as a healing remedy, here signifies the complete spiritual restoration found in Christ. This experience powerfully affirms the biblical truth found in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." The declaration "bade the sinner live" signifies the bestowal of new life in Christ.

With salvation secured, the hymn continues into the profound peace and confident hope that follow. "Surely now the bitterness Of second death is past; O my Life, my Righteousness, On thee my soul is cast!" The reference to "second death" alludes to the eternal separation from God described in Revelation 20:6 and 21:8, signifying deliverance from eternal condemnation. Christ is recognized as "my Life" (John 14:6) and "my Righteousness" (1 Corinthians 1:30), emphasizing His indispensable role in the believer’s identity and justification. The imagery of being brought to "thine inn" spiritualizes the lodging provided by the Samaritan, representing the secure refuge found in Christ and His community. This brings assurance of divine promises: "Thou shalt cleanse me from all sin, And all my sickness cure."

Finally, the hymn culminates in a prayer for ongoing sanctification and eternal perseverance. "Perfect then the work begun, And make the sinner whole; All thy will on me be done, My body, spirit, soul." This reflects the biblical understanding that salvation is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing process of transformation, as Philippians 1:6 states, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The desire for God's will to be done holistically in "body, spirit, soul" mirrors the prayer for complete sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The hymn concludes with a yearning for perpetual security in Christ’s care: "Take me, Jesus, to thine arms, And keep me ever there." This beautiful imagery conveys a longing for intimacy, safety, and eternal belonging, reflecting the assurance in John 10:28-29 that no one can snatch believers out of Jesus' hand.

“Woe Is Me! What Tongue Can Tell” is not merely a song; it is a profound theological treatise, a journey of personal faith, and a triumphant declaration of God’s redemptive love. Through its rich allegorical interpretation of the Good Samaritan, Wesley crafts an accessible yet deeply spiritual narrative that resonates with anyone who has felt lost, broken, and in need of a savior. Its timeless message, now accessible to new generations, continues to encourage and inspire, reminding all of Christ’s unwavering compassion and His power to heal and restore completely.