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The United Methodist Hymnal · No. 595 · Words: Charles Wesley
Whether the Word Be Preached or Read
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A 1783 Charles Wesley hymn arguing that Scripture and preaching yield no spiritual benefit apart from faith: the Holy Spirit must illuminate the Word for it to bring life. Draws on 2 Corinthians 3:6 ('the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life').
Verse 1
Whether the Word be
preached or read,
no saving benefit I gain
from empty sounds or letters dead;
unprofitable all and vain,
unless by faith thy word I hear
and see its heavenly character.
Verse 2
Unmixed with faith, the
Scripture gives
no comfort, life, or light to see,
but me in darker darkness leaves
implunged in deeper misery,
overwhelmed with nature’s
sorest ills.
The Spirit saves, the letter kills.
Verse 3
If God enlighten through
his Word,
I shall my kind Enlightener bless;
but void and naked of my Lord,
what are all verbal promises?
Nothing to me, till faith divine
inspire, inspeak, and make them mine.
Verse 4
Jesus, the appropriating grace
’tis thine on sinners to bestow.
Open my eyes to see thy face,
open my heart thyself to know.
And then I through thy Word obtain
sure present, and eternal gain.
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