What Wondrous Love Is This (Hymn)

What Wondrous Love Is This is a timeless Christian hymn that marvels at the deep love of God, Christ’s sacrifice, and the promise of eternal worship. Centered on Jesus bearing the curse of sin, humbling Himself for salvation, and the believer’s joyful response, this powerful song continues to inspire worshippers with its biblical truth.

VERSE 1
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul?

VERSE 2
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

CHORUS
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.

VERSE 3
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

Story Behind the Song

In the early 19th century, during the fervor of the Second Great Awakening, a hymn emerged that would resonate through generations: “What Wondrous Love Is This.” First published in 1811 in Lynchburg, Virginia, within the camp meeting songbook A General Selection of the Newest and Most Admired Hymns and Spiritual Songs Now in Use, its lyrics captured the profound awe of divine love. [1]

The melody accompanying these poignant words traces back to the English ballad “The Ballad of Captain Kidd,” a tune from 1701 recounting the tales of the pirate William Kidd. This melody, familiar to many, was adapted to fit the hymn’s reflective tone. [2]

In 1840, William Walker, a notable figure in preserving folk hymns, included “What Wondrous Love Is This” in his shape-note tunebook, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. This inclusion helped standardize the hymn’s melody and harmonization, ensuring its place in American hymnody. [3]

Over time, the hymn’s profound message and haunting melody have secured its place in various denominational hymnals, allowing congregations worldwide to reflect on the depth of God’s love through its verses.