This coming Saturday I will once again perform my role as church wedding organist, for a dear friend of mine.
(In fact, both the bride and groom are dear to me, but I’ve known the bride since I was young.)
This role doesn’t come along very often, and whenever I’m asked to do it I always do it with utmost joy and a sense of privilege.
Two days ago, I was at the rehearsal and we played through “O Perfect Love”.
Now I don’t know about you, but for me this is definitely THE quintessential wedding hymn.
I kid you not…there was a particular moment in the hymn as I was banging the organ keys when I thought to myself: “Wow, this hymn equals wedding! There’s nothing that says “wedding” like this hymn does.”
Definitely one of my favourite hymns of all time.
(NB: Here’s a tip – it’s more comfortable for congregation to sing in D major for this, but Eb major is where it’s really at!)
…
O Perfect Love
O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.
O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance,
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.
Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.
