Hey, Church! 

The song “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” sounds like it’s hundreds of years old, but it was actually written in 1995 by Stuart Townend, who co-authored another great hymn of our time, “In Christ Alone.” It is ironic that his two best-known songs are modern hymns, since the vast majority of his catalogue is written in a more contemporary style. Their popularity seems to point to a felt need in the Church for songs of deeper theological substance. 

In an interview about the inspiration behind “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” Townend explains what he was thinking about at the time of writing: 

“Because [the melody, which came quite quickly and spontaneously] had a classic, hymn-like element to it, I thought, ‘Well, maybe I should just tell the story of Christ on the cross… But tell it, perhaps, from the point of view of [what] it cost the Father to give the Son. You know, we often think of Christ’s suffering, and there’s a lot of talk about the wrath of God, [the] Father’s wrath was poured out on Christ. And I think that is right to say that, but that’s not to say that God is a vengeful God. That, actually, it cost Him to give up His Son. So, that’s why the first line says, ‘How deep the Father’s love, that He should give His only Son.’ 

“And, so, that really was the starting place. [Then, the] second verse develops my complicity in it… that actually, ‘it was my sin that held Him there.’ He went to the cross because of what I had done. Not only was it my sin that put Him there, but if I’d lived at that time, it would probably have been me in that crowd, shouting with everyone else, ‘crucify Him.’ So, although it tells the story, it is telling the story from a personal viewpoint. And then, the final verse goes into, “I won’t boast in anything, except what He has done for me.’” 

Will you prepare your heart for worship this weekend? Be intentional about time alone with the Father. Think about how deep His love is, that He would give His only Son “to make a wretch His treasure.” Meditate on the words of this song and personalize it. Make it your own prayer of gratitude and come ready to sing it with all of your heart this Sunday. 

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Verse 1
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

Verse 2
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

Verse 3
I will not boast in anything
No gifts no pow’r 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