By He Reads Truth
On the day his sister was married, in the picturesque village of Innellan on the shore of Scotland, George Matheson endured one of the most traumatic and unspeakable experiences of his life. So unspeakable, he would never disclose it; he would only say this: “Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering” (Dough 111).
The hymn was “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” which famous American hymnwriter Fanny Crosby would affectionately call her favorite (112).
Crosby and Matheson had something unique in common: they were both completely blind. Born with sight, Matheson’s eyes began failing over the course of his childhood, and he was fully blind by the age of eighteen. But that did not stop young George from pursuing what he loved. Coming from a wealthy merchant family in Glasgow, Matheson studied at the University of Glasgow and graduated with honors. He went on to become an influential pastor, leading a congregation of 2,000 members at St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh.
Believers from all over Scotland made the trek to St. Bernard’s to hear the blind preacher deliver his passionate messages from the pulpit, and congregants from all over the world sing his famous hymn to this day. Still, none but God and George himself will ever know what happened on that day in Innellan, as the man sat alone and furiously penned the words of this beloved hymn, the verses coming to him as if dictated by someone else. “It was the quickest work I ever did in my life,” he would later say. “I am quite sure the whole work was completed in five minutes” (111).
The Cross, the Joy, the Light, the Love—these were the truths that held tight to a Scottish pastor as he suffered through a pain he could not bear to name. They are the truths that hold us too.
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
George Matheson; Albert L. Peace
O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray,
that in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
may brighter, fairer be.
O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
and feel the promise is not vain
that morn shall tearless be.
O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be.
Dough, Whitney J. The Hymnwriters: Our Unknown Friends: A Biographical Guide to British and American Sacred Song. Franklin, TN: Providence House Publishers, 1995.
52 thoughts on "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go"
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Micah McIlvain says:
This is so comforting to me during this season of life. Being unemployed, having to wade through lies and deceit surrounding my former employer, and being reminded of my own sinful ways all have me feeling weary and worn. So thankful to have a Father who reaches down into my weary existence to pull me up and tell me that I am loved.
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Geoffrey Belk says:
Sometimes we sing songs just from the pages of the hymnal or paper without actually reading and understanding the words or its meaning. We have sung this song so many times but until I sat and read the words as they were meant to bring truly did not know the depth of HIS love for me. Lord I pray that in this time of reflection on your word and love that you will empty my heart of me and fill it with your complete and never ending love.
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Isaiah Gray says:
Just started my second semester of college. And to be honest life is rough. I’ve had this app now for 5 days without opening it. What a perfect passage to enter in on. God’s got us in our worst situations, he fights for us when we can’t fight anymore. It’s good to know I’m NEVER in this alone.
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Nathan says:
Jesus you are my redeemer. My solid rock. My fortress in the raging storm. The Joy of the Lord is my strength! Of whom shall I be afraid? What can man do to me? Where can I go from your presence? Where can I escape your love? It follows me all the days of my life and it will never let me go. You do not disappoint God. You are always present. Your plans are for good not evil and you will make a way for me. Even in the storm. I know who you are and what you do! You save and redeem! You also correct and discipline your children. Oh what love a Father can carry. None other than you. There’s no one beside you and you’re all I’ll ever need. Nothing can stop you, not even death. Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod (guidance) and staff (support) will comfort me. Help me to reflect you in all that I do. Don’t let me stumble or fall. You do not fail and you are victorious!
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Bige Wade says:
There’s no pain or hurt or sin that God’s love cannot reach. His perfect love cannot and will not let anyone be forgotten or parish.
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Justin says:
It’s in moments of tragedy and great anguish that comes through the most. In times of pain and hurt that He draws close. It’s when we are weak that we see His strength most evident.
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Jeff Holland says:
Though there are times that we think are horrible, tough, or even a life’s struggle the Lord will deliver us and show his powerful love.
God takes care of his children, he uses our scares to testify to others. He lets them know that they are not alone.
Though the time comes when we think we are alone, he shows us. Though we may be going through a dry time in our walk, he blesses it. Though we may never truly understand the why’s behind our struggle, one day we will and he will tell us.
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Sean Otto says:
In the suffering of loved ones death, I can relate to pain. In the heaviest of longing for relationship feeling so far from the human that I feel I must find and have, I also find pain. But then remembering that I am wrong, He is the only one that can fulfill my soul and belong to and Him to me. It is only when I decide to believe and hold this focus, that I will feel peace.
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Beau-Daniel Loumeau says:
It’s difficult to understand or comprehend the faith of some of these great men…
A lot of my new life I’ve seen as maybe not living up to the expectations of what a Godly man should be. It’s encouraging to know that He develops you into that, but sometimes I feel more stuck in a rut then growing. His voice, at times, becomes hard to hear and it’s testing, but I know He’s there. -
Christopher says:
How in a time where I am so focused on being a father, I myself have been set lacking someone to confide my soul in, I find it truly remarkable. It’s been two and a half weeks away from work, and I am due to return to a busy schedule once again tomorrow. During the time of my absence I desired to grow accustomed to the routines of parenthood with my wife. Yet, learning all that I needed to about that, I left behind myself (my soul) to grow weary. Truth be told it was weary way before our child was born. Somehow the Lord found me, as in 2 Sam. 22: 17 the Lord reached down, in the times I called upon Him, and he rescued me from drowning in such deep waters. Praise be to God that He hasn’t forgotten me and still chooses to quench my thirsty heart.
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David says:
In this time of reflection I see how his pain was so great he couldn’t speak of it, but he never lost sight of God, and though his pain is terrible he has helped lead other in worship by his challenges and his hymn.
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Sam says:
God is always with us. When we are suffering He is there. God used this blind man to share teach the gospel and save lives. Trust In God and know that everything happens for a reason and that all things work together for good for those who love God and for those who are called according to his purpose.
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Evan Tinklenberg says:
My God, lament often seems like the only utterance of my lips, and it has a tinge of guilt; as though I ought not cry out to God at any time. But the words of this hymn show that you are not far from anyone (Acts 17), and you hear the cries of your people. Thanks be to God, we are not left to grieve alone!
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Luke DeBoer says:
It’s amazing how trials and unspeakably painful experiences draw us closer to God.
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Daniel Howell says:
To lay in dust life’s glory dead.. and from the dust there blossoms eternal life, red with the blood of Christ. This is a beautiful picture of daily dying to oneself, repenting and believing in Jesus, and letting the Spirit of God dictate every step of the day.
I trace the rainbow through the rain… and let my hope be firmly founded in God’s faithfulness to answer His promises, all of them. In the midst of doubt, pain, fear, shame… this is the hope of the Christian.
O light that foll’west all my way… I admit that my life’s righteousness is worthless when held up against the full brightness of your glory. So I yield my life to you, O God, because I know that you can take these filthy rags and make them into a useful vessel.
O love that will not let me go… I am thankful for your power to save AND to keep. Keep me, Holy Spirit, and make my heart glad in what pleases The LORD!
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Israel says:
The songs of David are just powerful and beautiful, in the same way I hope the song writers of this day and age learn from davids hymns as well but not copy them, while we sing a new song there is so much to give and write about when it comes to out God. This instance it was about David not being killed and being victorious, we have so much to sing about. Let’s just start then and there for what God has given us
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Matthew Hejny says:
God will always be with us and He is our stronghold. He is our LORD and Savior. Always and forever by our side when are down and out or when we are having the best time of our lives.
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Rudy says:
What situation in your life reminds you of what David was going thru in this scripture. How did you react towards this trouble? Did you run to God or did you curse God? Why? What are some things you could learn from David’s miraculous faith. His joyful praise shows us how confident we need to be in God when times of trouble come upon us. No situation is too dire for God to get us out of.
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Phin says:
Jesus always knows when we are in pain and is always there to help us. We can come to him in a time of need
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Marty Huff says:
Wow…. Love inspiring stories of real life. Fanny J. Crosby has always been a favorite of mine. Interesting to know ( and believe) how we have an affect on one another. That can go both ways.
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