10 Hymns Every Christian Should Know | O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

Welcome back to "10 Hymns Every Christian Should Know," a series hosted by Grand Parkway Baptist Church's Worship Pastor, Clyde Copeland, and special guest, John Savage.

In this episode, we dive into the moving hymn "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go," written by George Matheson in the 1880s. Matheson faced immense personal hardship, including going blind and losing his fiancée who did not want to marry a blind man. The song was written on the night of his sister's wedding, who had been a key helper in his life and was also leaving. The hymn was born from his feelings of sadness and desperation, yet still found hope that God would not let him go.

We also discuss several powerful lines from the hymn, including:

• "O light that follows all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee". This phrase reminds us that our own good works are insignificant compared to God's immense goodness.
• "I trace the rainbow through the rain". This line recalls God's covenant with Noah and represents finding God's promise even during painful seasons.
• "I lay in dust life's glories dead". This signifies the act of surrendering and yielding our desire to be seen as self-reliant and competent, and instead finding our identity in Christ.

The 5:19 Worship Podcast is a ministry of Grand Parkway Baptist Church