The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care
God gave his son to win
His erring child he reconciled
And pardoned from his sin
When ancient time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When those who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God's love so sure, shall still endure
All measureless and strong
Grace will resound the whole earth round
The saints and angels song
Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And everyone a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky
O love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels song
The saints and angels song
The Love of God (#selah #worship #hymn)
The Love Of God Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Selah's rendition of the timeless hymn "The Love Of God," released on March 24, 2023, resonates deeply as a powerful expression of divine affection. Tagged within the categories of #selah, #worship, and #hymn, this recording presents a familiar and beloved text through the group's signature blend of rich vocals and thoughtful arrangements. The release context positions it as a piece intended for worship, drawing from the heritage of classic hymnody to minister to contemporary audiences.
The song's lyrics convey the awe-inspiring vastness and depth of God's love, portraying it as something fundamentally beyond human comprehension or description. It speaks of a love that surpasses the highest reaches of the cosmos and descends even to the lowest depths, illustrating its all-encompassing nature. This boundless reach is shown to be the force behind the divine plan of redemption, reconciling humanity to God through the sacrifice of His Son, offering pardon and restoration from sin. The message highlights that this love is not limited by time or earthly circumstances; it is a sure and enduring truth that will outlast the rise and fall of kingdoms and the passage of ages.
The imagery employed in the lyrics further underscores the immeasurability of this divine love. The lines envision an impossible task: filling the ocean with ink, turning the sky into parchment, and using every earthly plant as a writing instrument, wielded by countless scribes, yet still failing to fully document the love of God. This powerful hyperbole emphasizes that human language and capacity are utterly insufficient to contain the reality of God's affection, which is described as measureless, strong, rich, and pure. It points to a love that is infinite and inexhaustible.
Biblical themes woven throughout the hymn reflect profound theological truths. The description of God's love reaching "beyond the highest star / And reaches to the lowest hell" echoes scriptural concepts like God's omnipresence and the inability to escape His presence, as seen in Psalm 139:7-8. The narrative of God giving His Son to reconcile and pardon "His erring child" strongly aligns with passages such as Romans 5:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, which speak of Christ's atoning work while we were sinners and the ministry of reconciliation. The assurance that God's love "shall still endure" when "ancient time shall pass away" resonates with the eternal nature of God and His word described in Matthew 24:35 and 1 John 2:17. The idea that the full scope of God's work and love cannot be fully written finds a parallel in the conclusion of John's Gospel (John 21:25). Ultimately, the recurring phrase "The saints and angels song" points towards the eternal worship described in Revelation 5, where heavenly beings and redeemed humanity join in praising God.
Listening to Selah's interpretation of "The Love Of God" inspires reflection on the overwhelming grace and mercy of God. It calls worshippers to contemplate a love so vast it defies articulation, a love that actively pursued reconciliation and offers complete pardon. The enduring nature of this love provides a source of unwavering hope and security in the face of changing circumstances and the passage of time. It serves as a reminder that the love celebrated by saints and angels throughout eternity is a love available now, inviting listeners into a deeper appreciation of its measureless and powerful reality.
