Wesley Corpus

On the Conversion of a Common Harlot Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739), Part II Author: Charles Wesley (attributed) --- Luke xv. 10. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” 1 Sing, ye heavens, and earth rejoice, Make to God a chearful noise, He the work alone hath done, He hath glorified his Son. 2 Sons of God exulting rise Join the triumph of the skies, See the prodigal is come, Shout to bear the wanderer home! 24“Guilt’s” changed to “sin’s” in 4th edn. (1743) and 5th edn. (1756). 25Charles records writing this hymn in his MS Journal on February 20, 1739. 3 Strive in joy with angels strive, Dead she was, but now’s alive, Loud repeat the glorious sound, Lost she was, but now is found! 4 This through ages all along, This be still the joyous song, Wide diffus’d o’er earth abroad, Music in the ears of God. 5 Rescued from the fowler’s snare, Jesus spreads his arms for her, Jesu’s arms her sacred fence:-- Come, ye fiends, and pluck her thence! 6 Thence she never shall remove, Safe in his redeeming love: This the purchase of his groans! This the soul he died for once! 7 Now the gracious Father smiles, Now the Saviour boasts his spoils; Now the Spirit grieves no more: Sing ye heav’ns, and earth adore! Hallelujah.