Charles Wesley used that expression in an eighteen-stanza
hymn he wrote describing his praise to the Lord on his one-year anniversary of
conversion. It was titled, “For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conversion.” That
verse was combined with three other verses in the hymn to become the hymn we
sing today titled, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”
Wesley was born just before Christmas in 1707. He was
premature and neither cried nor opened his eyes. His mother, Susanna, kept him
tightly wrapped in wool until his actual due date, whereupon he opened his eyes
and cried. Charles was the eighteenth child of Susanna Wesley and Samuel
Wesley.
Wesley had religious training at home. He learned the Bible well but did not yet experienced affirmation of new birth or the wholeness of grace in his life. At age eight, he was taken to London to attend Westminster School.
At thirteen, he became a King’s Scholar at Westminster University in London. Upon graduating, Charles enrolled at Oxford University. He was nineteen and full of life. He later said, “My first year of college was lost in diversions.”
During his second year at Oxford, he grew serious about
spiritual things. Neither he nor his brother, John, had yet received Christ as
Savior, but they began seeking to live the Christian life
While in college at Oxford, Charles and two friends started
a small religious group on religious self discipline. They had lengthy
devotions, exhorting each other to live piously and do good works. They took
food to poor families, visited lonely people in prison and taught orphans how
to read. After college Charles went as a missionary to Native Americans, but he
was still not converted. With spiritual despair and physical exhaustion he
returned to England. He had no peace in his heart.
One day in 1738, he met with a group of Moravians in
Aldersgate Hall in London. There he came to realize that salvation was by faith
alone. While convalescing in the home of John Bray, a poor mechanic, he heard a
voice saying, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou
shalt be healed of all thy infirmities.” The voice was most likely Mr. Bray’s
sister who felt commanded to say these words in a dream.
Anglican hymn writer Timothy Dudley-Smith notes that the
following then happened: Charles got out of bed and opening his Bible read from
the Psalms 40:3: “He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God,”
followed by the first verse of Isaiah 40, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,
saith your God.” Charles wrote in his journal, “I have found myself at peace
with God, and rejoiced in the hope of love in Christ”
Charles wrote in his
diary: “I labored, waited and prayed to feel who loved me, and gave himself for
me. At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether
sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all
temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do
exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think . . . I now found
myself at peace with God, and rejoice in hope of loving Christ.”
Charles felt renewed strength to spread the gospel to
ordinary people and it was around then that he began to write the poetic hymns
for which he would become known.
Charles Wesley is called the father of Methodist
congregational singing. His brother, John, called the father of Methodism.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: The manifold glory which was to follow upon His many sufferings, the glory of His resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of God, sending the Spirit. Christ’s suffering and glory are often joined together to show that there is the same way (and no other) for the salvation of the members, as for the glory of the Head by sufferings.
Godsbless.ing: Imagine the depth of love and sacrifice encapsulated in these words – the suffering that Christ willingly endured for the redemption of humanity and the glory that awaited Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate victory that springs forth from pain and sacrifice, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures and offers us hope and assurance in our own trials and tribulations. It is a testament to the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, where suffering ultimately gives way to eternal glory. Let us reflect on this verse, pondering the profound mystery of Christ’s suffering and glory, drawing strength and encouragement from His example. May we find solace in the promise of ultimate victory and redemption, knowing that even in our darkest moments, there is a glorious hope that awaits us.
Godsbless.ing: This verse encourages us to celebrate God’s
presence in our lives. Singing praises is not just about our voices; it
reflects our hearts’ attitude towards God. The joy mentioned here is not
fleeting; it is a lasting, deep-rooted joy that comes from knowing we are
protected and loved. By spreading His protection over us, God reassures us that
we are never alone, enhancing our joy through His presence in our lives . . . The
instruction to “rejoice” and “sing joyful praises” is not merely a suggestion.
It is a call to action, inviting us into a place of gratitude and celebration.
When we take time to reflect on God’s goodness, our hearts naturally respond
with joy. This joyous response isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Instead,
it stems from our relationship with Him. Just as a child finds joy and security
in the embrace of a loving parent, we, too, can experience that profound joy in
the arms of God.
Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Christ is crowned with honor and glory, and He is worthy of it; and it becomes all men to honor the Son, as they do the Father: He is the brightness of His glory, and equal to Him; and the glory of deity, of all the divine perfections, and works, and also worship, should be given Him; as well as the glory of salvation, and of all the grace the sons of men partake of; and that not only now, but to all eternity,
Scripturesavvy.com: The conclusion of Paul’s testimony is a beautiful affirmation of God’s eternal Kingship, His immortality, and His invisibility. It is a declaration of praise and honor to the only God, highlighting His eternal nature and ultimate authority. It reminds us that no matter what challenges we may face in this life, our hope and focus should always be on God and giving Him the glory He deserves.
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Fear of death, of spiritual enemies, or of external foes. In the sure hope of God’s “eternal” favor beyond the grave.
Godsbless.ing: “To enable us to serve him without fear,”
emphasizes the freedom and confidence believers have in serving God, unshackled
by the fear of condemnation or oppression . . . In a world fraught with
uncertainties and challenges, this verse offers assurance to believers that God
is their ultimate deliverer and protector. It instills the courage to serve God
boldly and without fear, knowing that they are under His loving care and
guidance.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Who are captives to sin, Satan, and the law; from which, there is only deliverance by Him; who saves His people from their sins, redeems them from the law, and leads captivity captive; and which liberty and deliverance are preached and published in the Gospel, and by Christ the author of them . . . and recovering of sight to the blind; which in the prophet is, "and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” . . . now because persons in prison are in darkness, and see no light, therefore they are represented as blind; and both are the case of sinners, they are in the prison of sin and of the law, and are blind, ignorant, and insensible of their state; until Christ both opens the prison, and sets them free, and opens their eyes, and gives them spiritual sight; when He says to the prisoners go forth, to them that are in darkness show yourselves.
Charles Wesley, like the Psalmist David, seemed never to tire of praising his great Redeemer. And when we think on how Christ has brought us from death to life, we also ought to be driven to sing with all we have the glories of our God and King, and the triumphs of His grace. Thankfully, what we lack in multiplicity of tongues, we’ll be able to make up in repetitions throughout eternity!
Despite our desire to proclaim the honors of God’s name, we
rely on the assistance of the Holy Spirit, sent to help us in our weakness to
glorify God and to empower and enable our worship. The Spirit of Christ itself
is “music in the sinner’s ears”; He is our life, our health, and our peace.
