How Deep the Father's Love for Us Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
How Deep the Father's Love for Us: A Song of Redemption and Love
"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" is a song written by Stuart Townend in 1995. It is a powerful hymn that speaks of the depth of God's love for us, as demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. The song has been covered by many Christian artists and has become a popular anthem in churches around the world.
The lyrics to "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" are simple yet profound, with each line carrying a deep meaning and message of redemption. The song opens with the words "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." These words remind us of the immeasurable love that God has for us, despite our sinful nature.
The second verse of the song speaks of the pain and suffering that Jesus endured on the cross, with the words "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." These words remind us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and the incredible price that was paid for our redemption.
The third verse of the song speaks of the shame and guilt that we feel as sinners, with the words "Behold the man upon a cross / My sin upon His shoulders / Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice / Call out among the scoffers." These words remind us of the weight of our sin, and the fact that Jesus willingly took that weight upon Himself.
The fourth verse of the song speaks of the victory that was won through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, with the words "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." These words remind us that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been redeemed and forgiven of our sins.
The final verse of the song speaks of the proper response to the love and sacrifice of Jesus, with the words "I will not boast in anything / No gifts, no power, no wisdom / But I will boast in Jesus Christ / His death and resurrection." These words remind us that our focus should always be on Jesus, and the incredible gift of salvation that He has given us.
The Inspiration and Story Behind the Song
Stuart Townend, the writer of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us," was inspired to write the song after reading Galatians 6:14, which says "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The song was initially written as a personal reflection on the cross, but it quickly became popular in churches and has since become a widely beloved hymn.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Song
"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" is a song that is deeply rooted in scripture, with each verse drawing from different passages in the Bible. Here are some of the key Bible verses that are referenced in the song:
- John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
- Matthew 27:46 - "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."
- Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- John 19:30 - "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
Practical Application
"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" is a song that is rich in theological truth and has a powerful message of redemption and love. As Christians, we can take several practical applications from the song:
- We can be reminded of the incredible love that God has for us and the sacrifice that was made for our redemption.
- We can reflect on the weight of our sin and the fact that it was taken upon Jesus on the cross.
- We can be encouraged by the victory that was won through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- We can focus our hearts and minds on Jesus and the incredible gift of salvation that He has given us.
In conclusion, "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" is a beautiful hymn that speaks to the heart of the Christian faith. It reminds us of the depth of God's love for us, the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, and the victory that was won through the death and resurrection of Jesus. As we sing this song, let us be reminded of the incredible gift of salvation that we have been given, and let us live our lives with hearts full of gratitude and praise for our Savior.
