How Can We Name a Love

“How Can We Name a Love” was written in 1975 by Brian A. Wren, a British hymn writer and theologian whose work has been widely included in late twentieth century hymnals. The text reflects Wren’s concern to express the breadth of biblical teaching about God’s love through varied imagery drawn from Scripture.

The hymn explores different dimensions of divine love by using a series of metaphors. It speaks of love that is both tender and strong, protective and empowering. Several images echo biblical descriptions of God’s care, such as Isaiah 66:13, where the Lord compares His comfort to that of a mother, and Psalm 103:13, which likens God’s compassion to that of a father toward his children. The text also resonates with 1 John 4:7-12, which presents love as rooted in the very nature of God, and Ephesians 3:17-19, which speaks of the immeasurable breadth and depth of Christ’s love.

Rather than offering a single definition, the hymn presents multiple scriptural images to convey the richness of divine love. The progression of stanzas broadens the congregation’s understanding, moving from intimate, nurturing descriptions to wider expressions of steadfastness and sustaining grace. The language is reflective and descriptive, designed for thoughtful congregational singing.

The hymn has been included in various denominational hymnals and is often used in services that emphasize God’s character, divine compassion, or Christian unity. Its structure allows worshipers to contemplate different aspects of love as revealed in Scripture, acknowledging that no single metaphor can fully contain the reality of God’s love.

“How Can We Name a Love” remains valued for its attempt to gather biblical images into a unified act of praise, encouraging believers to consider both the nearness and the greatness of the love revealed in God.