Thou God of my Salvation

By Thomas Olivers

Lyrics

1. O thou God of my salvation,
My redeemer from all sin,
Moved by thy divine compassion,
Who hast died my heart to win,
I will praise the e;
Where shall I thy praise begin?

2. Though unseen, I love the Saviour;
He hath brought salvation near,
Manifests his pardoning favour
And within me doth appear;
Soul and body
Then his glorious image bear.

3. While the angel choirs are crying:
Glory to the great I AM!
I with them will still be vying,
Glory, glory to the Lamb!
O how precious
Is the sound of Jesus’ name!

4. Angels now are hovering round us
Unperceived amid the throng,
Wondering at the love that found us,
Glad to join our holy song;
Hallelujah!
Love and praise to Christ belong.

Bible Reference

Psalm 25:5

About This Hymn

“Thou God of My Salvation” is a rich expression of devotion and spiritual longing, composed by Thomas Olivers in 1760. A contemporary of John Wesley, Olivers experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening at one of Wesley's sermons. Soon after, he penned this hymn to encapsulate his heartfelt prayer for divine guidance—seeking God’s saving presence, embracing His leading light, and dedicating his entire life in joyful service to the Savior.

The text unfolds as a series of petitions: for God’s light in darkness, grace in failure, strength in weakness, and unwavering fellowship with Christ. Each stanza builds upon the central plea “hold Thou me fast,” a metaphor expressing the believer’s desire to remain firmly rooted in God's love and truth. The closing line, “holding by Thy hand,” beautifully reinforces the theme of steadfast dependence.

Historically, the hymn was adopted into early Methodist collections and has endured across evangelical traditions for its depth and intimacy. Theologically, it resonates with Psalm 25’s affirmation of trust in God’s instructive power and loving guidance.

Musically, the hymn is commonly sung to the solemn yet expressive tune Pilot, composed by William B. Bradbury. This melody’s flowing rhythm and emotional contour support the humility and earnestness of the words, making it ideal for reflective worship and personal devotion.