I love to write about impactful songs. I enjoy the adventure. I suppose I feel like an archeologist on a dig, seeking treasures that are brought to light when I consider the depth of meaning behind the lyrics and imagine the author's thoughts when he chose the words to convey the message of the song. Added to that, I love how music itself has a depth of meaning all it's own, and combined with lyrics, it drives the impact deep when it's done with care and artful expertise.
Not long ago, I had the opportunity to join a group of ladies at a church retreat in singing a worship song: "How Deep the Father's Love". I had not heard this song in a long time, and I was immediately drawn into the masterful interweaving of the beautiful melody and lyrics. I was reminded why I have loved this song since I heard it for the first time.
In preparation for this writing, I did some research. I was surprised to learn that this is not an old hymn; not at all. Instead, this song was written in 1995, and is considered a "new" hymn.
The author, Stuart Townend, has written a variety of worship songs, including the well-known and loved "In Christ Alone".
Townend said that this song came to be during a time when he was contemplating all that the cross meant, and all that Jesus went through solely because of love for us that we could never earn. The melody just came to him as he was focusing on the full impact of the sacrifice Jesus willingly made. He was surprised by the tune playing in his mind because he knew it was the melody for a hymn, when his songs usually have a comtemporary worship music feel. This was not the type of music he typically wrote. Yet, at the same time, he knew that this song needed to be a hymn.
The beautiful music works perfectly with words that reach deep into your heart and gently stun you with an invitation. This song is inviting you to allow the words to fully penetrate your mind and softly yet firmly impact you with their meaning. It is not only an experiential masterpiece; it also invites you sit with it, ponder it, and take your experience further so that you consider how you should live in light of the truths it conveys.
The first verse gives you a clear glimpse into how this song powerfully dives down far beneath the surface immediately:
How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure...
God's love is so deep, it's immeasurable. In an age where most anything can be measured to the "nth" degree, God's love is continually far beyond taking stock of - even beyond measuring any part of it. His love is so vast it is incomprehensible to us.
...that He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.
God willingly gave His only Son. In a God-orchestrated, perfectly planned transaction known as the "Great Exchange" (Rom 8:3; 2 Cor 5:21), God gave His Son in exchange for our salvation. But not only that, God chose to ...make a wretch His treasure. That wretch represents us. This word, "wretch" immediately brings to mind that line in the classic, timeless hymn "Amazing Grace": "...that saved a wretch like me..." But here, the writer reveals why He chose to save us. He chose to treasure... us. We were completely depraved, engulfed in sin, worthless, and even lifeless: "For you were dead in your trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1 ESV). The Father gave His Son up, for us. Why? To give us everything, to cherish us, to show His great love.
How great the pain of searing loss - the Father turns His face away...
Oh, the incredible pain Jesus experienced on that cross! Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain, so intense we can't begin to imagine it. ...the Father turned His face away... from the tumultuous onslaught of sin that latched onto Jesus like innumerable leeches. All the wounds everywhere. Not only the gory physical evidence, but the unseen, and even more devastating, internal wounding of the mind and heart and soul. All these wounds converged upon Him until He was covered in sinful humanity and it's darkness.
...as wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory.
Yes, the Chosen One was cruelly, horribly marred. Willingly. He knew he would lose everything and gain only pain and loss, yet He acknowledged His Father's plan: "'...not My will, but Yours be done.'" (Luke 22:42 NIV), and was obedient through it all. He fully engaged in His Father's plan to save us, and the result continues to ...bring many sons (and daughters) to glory. Unfathomable.
We all have the opportunity to be one of those sons and daughters with glory in our future and hope in our present that will culminate in our future. The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us life; life filled with joyful anticipation in the here and now, (abundant life as referenced in John 10:10) and life, complete and perfect, in glory with Him when our life here ends.
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." (Ps 145:3, NIV)
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