Oh, Love, How Deep (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 322)
1 Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,
Beyond all thought and fantasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortal’s sake!
2 He sent no angel to our race,
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame,
And to this world himself he came.
3 For us baptized, for us he bore
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp he knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
4 For us he prayed; for us he taught;
For us his daily works he wrought,
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not himself, but us.
5 For us by wickedness betrayed,
For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us he gave his dying breath.
6 For us he rose from death again;
For us he went on high to reign;
For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
7 All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad;
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.
Text: Thomas á Kempis; Music: English ballad; Public Domain
Devotion
The love of God cannot be contained within the boundaries of this song, though it so eloquently tries to comprehend it. It is a love that is so deep, so high, so broad. What a beautiful gift!
This love of Christ is given to us freely with an eternal promise of grace and love. We have a God who came down to earth, knows our deepest pains and our greatest joys, and enfolds us in a love that has no bounds. It is a love that cannot be contained by words alone but rather needs a joyful noise and celebration with music and singing. In the world of musical theatre, a song is often introduced when the character can no longer contain their emotions with words. Music is the amplifier for this emotion. I believe this is also true for us in the church. “Oh, love, how deep,” indeed!
Prayer
Loving God, pour your compassion and care upon us forever and always. Amen.