Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” was written by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley. He wrote the hymn within months of his 1738 conversion and titled the piece “In Temptation”. It was first published as…
Hymn Story: Rejoice the Lord is King
Rejoice the Lord is King was written by Charles Wesley. He wrote the song Easter and Ascension in six stanzas. It was first published John Wesley’s Moral and Sacred Poems and again the text in…
Hymn Story: And can it be that I should gain
And can it be that I should gain was written by Charles Wesley in 1738. He was the eighteenth child born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley on Dec. 18, 1707. It is believed he wrote…
Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley wrote Jesus, Lover of My Soul only months after he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He titled his hymn “In Temptation”. Little is known about the details and inspiration of the…
Behind the Christmas Carol: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” was written by Charles Wesley. He wrote the song to commemorate the Nativity of Jesus and prepare for the Second Coming. He intended the song to be sung during Advent…
Faithful Heroes: Charles Wesley
If you enjoy reading my hymn stories, you will recognize the name Charles Wesley. He wrote hymns such as Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, O for a Thousand Tongues to…
Behind the Hymn: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain
And Can It Be is one of the better-known hymns written by Charles Wesley. According to The Oxford Edition of the Works of John Wesley, the song was written immediately after the conversion of…
Behind the Hymn: Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Love Divine All Love Excelling was written by Charles Wesley. Charles Wesley was born in 1707 Lincolnshire, England to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He was the youngest of eighteen children {although nine of his siblings…
Hymn Story: Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is Risen Today celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the conquering of death, when Jesus rose from the grave. Christ the Lord is Risen Today was written…
Behind the Hymn: Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages was written by Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady in 1763. The song was first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775. Rev. Toplady father died when he was a child. He was sixteen…
From a Wretch to Best Loved Hymn: the story behind Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is one of the best known and loved hymns of our day. When it was first written it started off as a poem to illustrate a sermon on New Years Day 1773. The…
Behind the Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
Edward Perronet was born in 1726 England, the grandson of a French immigrant. He followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the ministry. He became close friends with John and Charles Wesley, eventually leaving the…
The Untold Story: Handel’s Messiah
I love to attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah each Christmas. So where did it begin? Actually, although the oratorio is most often performed at Christmas time, the premiere took place at Easter time. The oratorio…