Hail, Sovereign Love

Lord's Day Hymn #011

Hail, Sovereign Love

By John Kent (1766-1843)

Hail, sovereign love, that first began
The scheme to rescue fallen man;
Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,
That gave my soul a hiding-place.

Against the God who rules the sky,
I fought with hands uplifted high;
Despised the mention of His grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding-place.

Enwrapped in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light,
Madly I ran the sinful race,
Secure without a hiding-place.

But thus the eternal counsel ran:
"Almighty love, arrest that man!"
I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding-place.

Indignant Justice stood in view;
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew;
But Justice cried with frowning face:
"This mountain is no hiding-place."

Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,
And mercy's angel soon appeared:
He led me on with gentle pace,
To Jesus as my hiding-place.

On Him almighty vengeance fell,
That must have sunk a world to hell;
He bore it for His chosen race,
And thus became their hiding-place.

A few more rolling suns, at most,
Shall land me on fair Canaan’s coast,
Where I shall sing the song of grace,
And see my glorious hiding-place.

History

John Kent (1766–1843), the hymn’s author, was a British hymn writer deeply influenced by Calvinist theology. Though he worked as a shipwright by trade, Kent devoted his spare time to crafting hymns that highlighted God’s sovereignty and grace. Written in the early 19th century, "Hail, Sovereign Love" reflects Puritan theological themes, despite being composed after their era. The hymn gained popularity in Nonconformist and Baptist circles, where its focus on salvation by grace alone resonated deeply. Kent’s hymns, including this one, were prized for their doctrinal richness and heartfelt expressions of faith.

Explanation

"Hail, Sovereign Love" captures the believer’s journey from rebellion to redemption, vividly illustrating the power of God’s grace. The hymn begins with the sinner’s prideful rejection of God and their eventual conviction under His justice. It then shifts to the hope found in Christ as the ultimate "hiding-place," a metaphor drawn from Psalms 32:7 and 91:1-2. This imagery emphasizes the security and peace believers have in Christ’s atoning work. The hymn’s dramatic contrasts—between human helplessness and divine sufficiency—serve as a powerful reminder of God’s mercy, inspiring worship, thanksgiving, and assurance for all who trust in Him.