This is a beautiful old song, written in 1917 and containing a poem from 1050, that speaks of the magnitude of love God has for us. Although there are several scriptures that could be referenced in regards to this love, John 3:16 and Romans 8:32 come to mind first.
The third verse of this song was written by a Jewish man in an insane asylum in 1050. It bears resemblance to John 21:25.
Let’s briefly look at these verses.
We know from John 3:16 that the Father loved the world and thus sent His Son to die on a cross to take away the sins of the world and provide man a way to everlasting life.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 8:32 tells us that the Father spared nothing, including His own son, to freely give us all things.
Romans 8:32 NKJV
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
That which was done by Christ, if written one by one in books could not be contained in this world.
John 21:25
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Frederick M. Lehman, 1917
v. 3 by Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai, 1050
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.
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
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 every man 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.
Here’s a video of the Gaithers singing the song, but omitting the second verse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6B_jYtjvME
MercyMe made a modern rendition; however they also omitted the second verse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnvmKoLWUU
Version 1.00 – May 24, 2020
Version 1.01 – May 24, 2020
Walking with God in The Way 