O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

 

"They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing.
He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping, at
needing his precious supply of grain for sowing,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6

Cairngorms National Park

 Scotland

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in Thee;

I give Thee back the life I owe,

That in Thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to Thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day

May brighter, fairer, be.

O joy that seeketh me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to Thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise not in vain

That morning shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from Thee;

I lay in dust life's glory dead,

And from the ground

 there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

Amen

*"O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go"
George Matheson
(1841-1906)
Scottish minister and hymn writer

* "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" was written on the evening of
George Matheson's sister's marriage.  Years before, he had been
engaged to be married himself, until his fiancee learned he was going 
 blind and there was nothing his doctors could do to help him. 
 His intended bride informed George that she could not go through 
life caring for a blind man and broke off their engagement.
George had been studying for the ministry when he lost his sight and his
sister had been taking care of him for many years before her marriage.
Now at the age of 40,  George was alone and his sister's happiness only
reminded him of his own heartbreak.  It was in the midst of his sorrow
and loneliness that the Holy Spirit inspired George Matheson to write
this beautiful hymn, which he claimed he wrote in only five minutes.