Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: words for a funeral order of service
3 verses, 24 lines. Charles Wesley (died 1788). Out of copyright in the UK.
Put these words straight into an A5 order of service booklet.
Add to my order of serviceLove Divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!
Three verses, as The English Hymnal (1906) prints them. Some books print a fourth, beginning "Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit", as verse two.
At a glance
| Verses | 3 |
|---|---|
| Lines | 24 |
| Words | 130 |
| Fits one A5 page at 11 pt | Yes, about 78% of the page |
| Fits one A5 page at 12.5 pt (larger print) | Yes, about 89% of the page |
| Words | Charles Wesley (died 1788) |
| UK copyright in the words | Out of copyright The writer died more than 70 years ago. |
| Text taken from | The English Hymnal (Oxford, 1906), no. 437, scanned at the Internet Archive |
Hymn books differ in small ways: a word here, a comma there, sometimes a verse left out. Check these words against the hymn book or sheet your organist will use, and edit them in the builder if they differ.
Questions
- Can I print the words of Love Divine, All Loves Excelling in a funeral order of service in the UK?
- The words are by Charles Wesley, who died in 1788. UK copyright in a writer's words lasts no longer than 70 years after the end of the year the writer died, so these words are out of copyright. This is information, not legal advice.
- How many verses does Love Divine, All Loves Excelling have?
- The version on this page has 3 verses and 24 lines (130 words).
- Does Love Divine, All Loves Excelling fit on one A5 page?
- At 11 point type on an A5 page with 14 mm margins: yes, it takes about 78% of the page. At 12.5 point: yes, about 89% of the page.
This page gives information, not legal advice. Facts were checked on 10 November 2026.