The phrase "God of almighty love by whose sufficient hymn" is very close to, but slightly misquoted from, the opening line of a famous hymn by **Charles Wesley**. The correct first line is: **"God of almighty love, by whose sufficient grace"** Here's the history and context of this significant hymn: 1. **The Author:** * The hymn was written by **Charles Wesley (1707–1788)**, one of the most prolific and influential hymn writers in the English language. He was the younger brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. * Charles Wesley penned over 6,500 hymns, many of which are still widely sung across various Christian denominations today. His hymns are known for their profound theological depth, poetic beauty, and evangelistic fervor. 2. **Publication Date:** * This particular hymn, often known by its first line, was first published in **1749** in the collection *Hymns and Sacred Poems*, compiled by John and Charles Wesley. 3. **Context and Theme:** * The hymn expresses a profound sense of awe and gratitude for God's creative power, sustaining grace, and constant providence. It is a hymn of praise and adoration. * The phrase "by whose sufficient grace" emphasizes that God's unmerited favor and power are sufficient for all of creation's needs, both for its initial existence and its ongoing sustenance. It is God's grace that brought everything into being and maintains it. * The user's misquote "sufficient hymn" instead of "sufficient grace" is interesting because Wesley's hymns *themselves* were a powerful expression of God's grace and a means for people to understand and worship Him. However, the original intent was to attribute creation and sustenance directly to God's grace. 4. **Theological Meaning (from the full first stanza):** The full first stanza clarifies the meaning: "God of almighty love, by whose sufficient grace All nature rose, and still subsists to praise Thy rich creating word, in whom we live and move, And have our being in Thy power and love." * **"by whose sufficient grace / All nature rose"**: This points to God as the ultimate Creator, whose grace (unmerited favor and power) was the force behind creation. * **"and still subsists to praise"**: This highlights God's ongoing providence – He not only created the world but continually sustains it. The purpose of creation is to glorify Him. * **"Thy rich creating word, in whom we live and move, / And have our being in Thy power and love"**: This echoes Acts 17:28 ("For in him we live, and move, and have our being") and emphasizes the complete dependence of all existence on God's active presence, power, and love. 5. **Legacy:** * This hymn, like many of Charles Wesley's works, remains a cherished part of Christian worship, particularly within Methodist, Anglican, and many other Protestant traditions. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, His loving care for creation, and humanity's absolute dependence on Him. In summary, "God of almighty love, by whose sufficient grace" is a foundational hymn by Charles Wesley from 1749, celebrating God's creative and sustaining power, and humanity's complete reliance on His divine grace and love.