Lyrics
Verse 1
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
Verse 2
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Verse 3
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
Verse 4
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
Verse 5
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Verse 6
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” is a modern hymn by Stuart Townend, written for congregational singing. It follows the cross in a sequence of short pictures: the Father giving His only Son, the pain of loss as the Father turns away, and the Man on the cross bearing sin. The singer admits a share in the scene, hearing a mocking voice among the scoffers, and says “it was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished.”
The lines tie closely to John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, which speak of God giving His Son and showing love while people were still sinners. “I know that it is finished” recalls Christ’s words in John 19:30.
The final verses turn to response. The singer will not boast in gifts, power, or wisdom, only in Jesus Christ, which echoes Galatians 6:14. The song ends in humility, admitting there is no answer to why the singer should gain from His reward, only the knowledge that His wounds have paid the ransom.
Related Scripture
- John 3:16 God gave His only Son
- Romans 5:8 Christ died for us while we were still sinners
- Galatians 6:14 Boasting only in the cross of Christ