GOSPEL >> INVITATION
SDAH 282
I hear Thy welcome voice,
That calls me, Lord, to Thee;
For cleansing in Thy precious blood,
That flowed on Calvary.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: I Hear Thy Welcome Voice
Lewis Hartsough (1828–1919), a Methodist Episcopal minister, wrote both words and music for this gospel song in 1872. It first appeared in Guide to Holiness under the title “The Divine Invitation.” The tune, often called WELCOME VOICE or CALVARY, features a simple, two-note bass part and a heartfelt refrain. This hymn gently invites every listener to come to Christ in faith.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Both words and music of this hymn were written in 1872 by Lewis Hartsough (1828-1919), a minister of the American Methodist Episcopal Church. The song was published that same year in Guide to Holiness under the title “The Divine Invitation.”
The tune, unnamed here, is called WELCOME VOICE in some hymnals, after the opening words, and in other CALVARY, after the last word of the first stanza. It is a typical gospel song, with a refrain and a very economical use of chords, the bass part of the stanza actually employing only two notes!
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Stanza:
1 – Revelation 1:5
2 – Philippians 3:21
4 – Jeremiah 23:6
Text
1
I hear Thy welcome voice,
That calls me, Lord, to Thee;
For cleansing in Thy precious blood,
That flowed on Calvary.
Refrain
I am coming, Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me, in the blood
That flowed on Calvary.
2
Though coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
Till spotless all, and pure.
3
‘Tis Jesus calls me on
To perfect faith and love,
To perfect hope, and peace, and trust,
For earth and heaven above.
4
All hail, atoning blood!
All hail, redeeming grace!
All hail! the gift of Christ, our Lord,
Our Strength and Righteousness.
Hymn Info
Biblical Information
(a) Rev 1:5 (b) Phil 3:21 (d) Jer 23:6
Author
Lewis Hartsough (1828-1919)
Year Published
1872
Metrical Number
S.M.Ref.
Composer
Lewis Hartsough
Year Published
1872
