Main message: The divine and perfect love of God came to us as Lord Jesus.

Bible references: 

• V1. "Joy of heav'n..." (Luke 2:14)

"Thy humble dwelling" (Matthew 11:29)

• V2. "breathe Thy loving Spirit" (John 20:22)

"The promised rest" (Matthew 11:28)(Hebrews 4:1)

"Alpha and Omega" (Revelations 1:8)

"End of faith... beginning" (Revelations 21:6)

• V3. "suddenly return" (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

"Pray... without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"Perfect love" (1 John 4:18)

• V4. "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"From glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18)

"Cast our crowns..." (Revelations 4:10)

Keywords: Love, divine, joy of heaven, faithful mercies, Jesus, salvation, breathe, Spirit, inherit, the promised rest, Alpha and Omega, liberty, come, Almighty, grace, blessing, pray, praise, glory, perfect, finish, new creation, pure and spotless, glory into glory, crowns, wonder

Interpretation notes:

• The hymn uses mostly quarter notes and contains several large melodic leaps, including changes from low to high register.

• These features appear in measures 1–2, 5–6, 7, 10–11, 13–14, and 15. 

• The text 'all loves excelling' is set in measures 1–2, and 'thy salvation' appears in measures 13–14.