The Love Song of the Welsh Revival
Rich hymnody includes some wonderful international hymn texts and tunes. One of those is a text written by a Welshman, named William Rees. Rees ministered in the 19th century in both Wales and England. He wrote the hymn text to "Here is Love," a simple, but rich hymn text telling of God's love and our response to that love. Though the hymn was written in the 19th century, it became known as "The Love Song of the Welsh Revival" which began in 1904. Rees is credited with the first two stanzas. William Williams (18th century) may have written the last two stanzas. You can find the hymn score here.
Not included in many hymnals today, it is a beautiful text set to a beautiful tune composed by Robert Lowry (19th century). May it encourage your hearts to meditate on the vast love of God.
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving kindness, as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heav'n's eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Thro' the floodgates of God's mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above;
And heav'n's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee ever, all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory;
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me;
Thou Thyself hast set me free.
In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and pow'r on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.
