The Talleys - How Deep the Father's Love for Us Lyrics
Lyrics
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
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
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
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
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
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
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
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on May 15, 2012, as part of their album *Love Won*, The Talleys' rendition of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" immediately immerses one in a profound contemplation of divine sacrifice and unmerited grace. This worship anthem, penned by Stuart Townend, serves not merely as a song but as a theological journey, a poignant meditation on the very core of Christian faith: the unfathomable love of God demonstrated through Christ's atoning work. Its power lies in its ability to strip away pretense and bring the worshipper face-to-face with the radical implications of the cross, inviting deep personal reflection on the cost of salvation and the nature of God's character.
The song commences by attempting to quantify the immeasurable, asking "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure?" This opening serves as an immediate invitation to consider the boundless nature of God's affection, a love so profound that He would "give His only Son" – a truth echoing John 3:16, where God's love for the world is manifested in His sending of His unique Son. The narrative then sharply contrasts God's majesty with humanity's brokenness, articulating the stunning grace that transforms "a wretch His treasure." This biblical concept, underscored in Romans 5:8 where God demonstrates His love while we were still sinners, highlights the transformative power of divine love that elevates the undeserving to a place of esteemed worth. The subsequent lines unflinchingly address the immense suffering involved, acknowledging "How great the pain of searing loss," as the Father, in a moment of profound cosmic justice, "turns His face away." This imagery directly references the agonizing cry of dereliction on the cross in Matthew 27:46, where Jesus experienced the crushing weight of sin and separation from God, a necessary act for "wounds which mar the Chosen One" to "bring many sons to glory," fulfilling the vicarious atonement depicted in Isaiah 53:5-6, where His suffering brings healing and peace to humanity.
The journey continues, moving from cosmic truth to personal conviction, as the song implores the individual to "Behold the man upon a cross," immediately personalizing the sacrifice by declaring, "My sin upon His shoulders." This confession aligns with Isaiah 53:6, stating that the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. The raw honesty of the song surfaces as it admits, "Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers," a humbling acknowledgment of humanity's complicity in Christ's suffering, whether through direct rejection or passive indifference. This personal culpability intensifies with the stark declaration, "It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished." This powerful statement reframes the crucifixion, not as a historical event distant in time, but as a direct consequence of personal transgressions. It underscores the profound truth of Colossians 2:14, where the record of our debt, which stood against us, was nailed to the cross and set aside. The triumphant climax of this section, "His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished," draws directly from John 19:30, affirming that Christ's final utterance signified the complete and perfect fulfillment of God's plan for salvation, securing eternal life and deliverance from the penalty of sin, as Romans 6:23 powerfully states.
Transitioning into an affirmation of faith, the song firmly rejects any basis for human pride, stating, "I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom." This stance aligns perfectly with Galatians 6:14, where Paul declares his only boast to be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 1 Corinthians 1:31, which instructs that "he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord." The singular object of devotion and pride becomes "Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection," highlighting these two foundational pillars of Christian doctrine as the sole source of hope and eternal security. The repeated refrain, "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer," articulates the bewildering yet beautiful mystery of grace. It speaks to the unmerited favor of God, where salvation is not earned but freely given, as Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Despite the inability to fully comprehend the depth of this divine generosity, the song arrives at an unshakable assurance: "But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom." This concluding declaration anchors the believer in the rock-solid truth that Christ’s suffering was the ultimate payment, the precious blood described in 1 Peter 1:18-19, redeeming us from the futile way of life inherited from our ancestors and securing our freedom.
The Talleys' rendition of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" transcends a mere musical performance; it is a profound act of worship that effectively communicates the timeless narrative of redemption. By focusing intensely on the lyrical content, which is saturated with biblical truth, the song serves as a powerful instrument for theological reflection and personal devotion. Its enduring impact comes from its ability to humble the spirit, provoke gratitude, and ultimately, exalt the Father's immeasurable love and the Son's perfect sacrifice, driving all who engage with it to a deeper understanding and appreciation of their salvation.