Hymn Origins: O Perfect Love

​The first of a series researched by Sheila Tanner about the origins of
some of our favourite hymns.

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.

Many years ago, Dorothy Blomfield was wandering over the hills of Windermere thinking of her sister who was soon to be married.

She thought of the happy days the couple would share and times of sadness they might face.

She sat down and prayed for them, and on returning home she decided to write down her prayers.

Soon before her she had the words of ‘O Perfect Love’.

​No bride could have had better words written for her.

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.