O Loved But Not Enough Though Dearer Far – Hymn Lyric
“O Loved But Not Enough Though Dearer Far” explores the true meaning of love and devotion. The hymn challenges our understanding of love, calling for devotion and attention that goes beyond superficiality. It emphasizes the importance of humbling ourselves before God and acknowledges that true love is a result of His love for us.
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O Loved But Not Enough Though Dearer Far – Hymn Lyric
Oh loved! but not enough-though dearer far
Than self and its most loved enjoyments are;
None duly loves thee, but who, nobly free
From sensual objects, finds his all in thee.
Glory of God! thou stranger here below,
Whom man nor knows, nor feels a wish to know;
Our faith and reason are both shocked to find
Man in the post of honour-Thee behind.
Reason exclaims-“Let every creature fall,
Ashamed, abased, before the Lord of all;”
And faith, o'erwhelmed with such a dazzling blaze,
Feebly describes the beauty she surveys.
Yet man, dim sighted man, and rash as blind,
Deaf to the dictates of his better mind,
In frantic competition dares the skies,
And claims precedence of the Only wise.
Oh, lost in vanity, till once self known!
Nothing is great, or good, but God alone;
When thou shalt stand before his awful face,
Then, at the last, thy pride shall know his place.
Glorious, Almighty, First, and without end!
When wilt thou melt the mountains and descend?
When wilt thou shoot abroad thy conquering rays,
And teach these atoms, thou hast made, thy praise?
Thy glory is the sweetest heaven I feel;
And, if I seek it with too fierce a zeal,
Thy love, triumphant o'er a selfish will,
Taught me the passion, and inspires it still.
My reason, all my faculties, unite,
To make thy glory their supreme delight:
Forbid it, fountain of my brightest days,
That I should rob thee, and usurp thy praise!
My soul! rest happy in thy low estate,
Nor hope, nor wish, to be esteemed or great,
To take the impression of a will divine,
Be that thy glory, and those riches thine.
Confess him righteous in his just decrees,
Love what he loves, and let his pleasure please;
Die daily; from the touch of sin recede;
Then thou hast crowned him, and he reigns indeed.
Meaning of O Loved But Not Enough Though Dearer Far
O Loved But Not Enough Though Dearer Far: Exploring the True Meaning of Love and Devotion
Love is a word that is often used casually and without much thought. We hear it in songs, see it in movies, and read about it in books. But what does it truly mean to love someone or something? In this hymn, the author reflects on the nature of love and the role it should play in our lives.
The verse begins with a powerful statement: “Oh loved! but not enough-though dearer far than self and its most loved enjoyments are.” This line suggests that our understanding of love is often lacking. We may claim to love something or someone, but are we truly giving it the devotion and attention it deserves?
The hymn goes on to say that true love can only be found by those who are “nobly free from sensual objects.” This means that love should not be purely physical or based on transient pleasures. Instead, it should be a love that goes beyond the surface and finds its deepest meaning in something greater.
The hymn addresses God as the “Glory of God,” emphasizing His importance and the reverence we should have for Him. It suggests that our faith and reason are often shocked by the fact that man, in his arrogance, places himself above God. Both reason and faith call on us to humble ourselves before the Lord of all creation.
Reason exclaims that every creature should be “ashamed, abased” before God, recognizing His infinite power and greatness. Faith, overwhelmed by the dazzling beauty of God, struggles to put into words the magnitude of what it sees. Yet, despite this, man in his blindness and arrogance competes with God, claiming to be wiser and more deserving of honor.
The hymn reminds us that true wisdom comes from self-knowledge and humility. It states, “Oh, lost in vanity, till once self-known! Nothing is great, or good, but God alone.” This means that only when we truly understand ourselves and our place in the world can we begin to grasp the greatness of God. Only then can we realize that nothing can compare to His glory and goodness.
The hymn calls on God to reveal Himself fully, asking, “When wilt thou melt the mountains and descend? When wilt thou shoot abroad thy conquering rays, and teach these atoms, thou hast made, thy praise?” It expresses a longing for God's presence and a desire for His creation to recognize and celebrate Him.
The author acknowledges that their love for God is a result of His love for them. They say, “Thy glory is the sweetest heaven I feel; And, if I seek it with too fierce a zeal, Thy love, triumphant o'er a selfish will, Taught me the passion, and inspires it still.” This suggests that our love for God should be driven by His love for us, and that any love we possess is merely a reflection of His greater love.
The hymn urges us to make God's glory our supreme delight and to resist the temptation to rob Him of His rightful praise. It says, “My reason, all my faculties, unite, to make thy glory their supreme delight: Forbid it, fountain of my brightest days, that I should rob thee, and usurp thy praise!” This means that our highest purpose should be to honor and glorify God, acknowledging His righteousness and finding joy in His pleasure.
The hymn concludes with a call to live a life devoted to God. It encourages us to “die daily,” to turn away from sin, and to allow God to reign in our lives. It reminds us that when we crown God as the ruler of our hearts, only then does He truly reign.
In conclusion, this hymn reminds us that love is not to be taken lightly or treated as a casual emotion. True love requires devotion, selflessness, and humility. It directs our attention towards the greatness of God and calls on us to honor and glorify Him in all that we do. May we strive to love God not just with words, but with our actions and our very beings.
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