Story Behind the Song: O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
This Sunday we are singing a hymn I haven't heard or sung for a long, long time. As soon as I started reading the words again, I was reminded just how rich they are. They're packed with truth, drawing our hearts to reflect on the greatest love we will ever know: the deep, deep love of Jesus. Even better, these beautiful lyrics are paired with the well known tune Ebenezer, making it a hymn that's both theologically rich and easy to sing.
Much can be said about this poem, which later became a hymn. Research reveals that the writer was Samuel Trevor Francis (1834-1925), an English businessman, lay preacher, poet, and hymn writer (what a resume!) While many modern retellings claim he battled depression and wrote this poem following a dramatic personal experience, there is little historical evidence connecting those stories to the writing of this hymn. What we do know, and is evident in his writing, is that Francis had a deep love for Christ.
When the poem was first published, it was part of a collection of Francis' poems that hoped to share the love of Jesus with its readers. A portion of the preface to the book reads:
The author has collected them together and with others which have never before seen the light, launches them forth on their message. If he has touched upon the sorrows and the dark side of human life, he has endeavoured to show how light, hope, and joy may be found. He trusts that those poems that are hymn-like will not be altered to suit the whims or theology of hymn-book compilers. This book is not written in the interests of any sect, denomination, or party, but for all who "love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth."
Of the original eight stanzas of the poem, it is most common to sing stanzas (or verses) one, three, and four. I encourage you to read the original eight stanzas. Together they provide a glorious, condensed summary of Christ's love. The start of each verse beautifully reflects the prayer of Ephesians 3:17–19, inviting us to grasp something of the immeasurable love of Christ, and the latter part of the poem points our attention to the heavenly realms, where we look forward to standing by His side as His "spotless bride."
As we sing this hymn on Sunday, I encourage you to take note of the rich lyrics. Allow them to draw your heart again to the vast, immeasurable, and unchanging love of Jesus. A love that is deep enough to save us, strong enough to keep us, and glorious enough to lead us safely home.
In Grace,
Emma
Reference:
Fender, C. (2020) Hymnology Archive, O the deep, deep love of Jesus — Hymnology Archive
