Lyrics
Though I speak with tongues of men and that of Angels
Prophesy and comprehend the deepest truths
Though I have the faith to move the greatest mountains
But I am nothing, I'm nothing without love
I need Your love Jesus
I need Your love Sweet Jesus
I'm just a sounding brass and a rolling cymbal without Your love
I need Your love Jesus
Teach me to love
Yeah
For I am nothing, I'm nothing without love
Uh...
Dada da da da da a taaa
Though I sing with voice of men and that of angels
Write the finest songs and get the loudest cheer
Though I sing and play the way that King David did
Oh... I am nothing, I am nothing without love
Oh so I need your love Oh Jesus
I need Your love Jesus
I'm just a sounding brass and a rolling cymbal without your love
Uhhh oh
I need Your love Lord yea...
Teach me to love You oh...
For I am nothing, I'm just nothing without love
Oh Your love is beautiful
It believes in everything
It's humble, patient, gentle and so tender
Where there be prophesies, knowledge and the gift of tongues
Everything will fade away but Your love will never fail, eh
For you are love Yourself and forever You remain
So Jesus help me to love You...
For I am nothing, I'm nothing without love
Oh... oh oh
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Nothing Without Love draws directly from the language and argument of 1 Corinthians 13. Eloquence, spiritual insight, mountain-moving faith, musical skill, and public acclaim are all treated as empty when love is absent. The repeated comparison to sounding brass and a clanging cymbal keeps the central contrast clear: remarkable gifts may attract attention, but they cannot replace Christlike love.
The song then becomes a prayer for Jesus to teach and supply that love. Its description of love as humble, patient, gentle, enduring, and unfailing follows Paul’s portrait closely, while the declaration that God is love also recalls 1 John. Rather than celebrating talent or achievement, the lyric acknowledges dependence on Christ and places character above performance. The repetition of being nothing without love gives the song a sober devotional focus, and its closing appeal connects love for Jesus with the need for a life shaped by the nature of God.
Related Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Paul says speech, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and sacrifice amount to nothing without love.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 The passage describes love as patient, humble, enduring, and unfailing.
- 1 John 4:8 John identifies love with God’s own nature.