The Love of God

By Frederick M. Lehman

Lyrics

1. The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell;
the guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
and pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure:
the saints’ and angels’ song!

2. When years of time shall pass away
and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
when men who here refuse to pray,
on rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so pure shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
redeeming grace to Adam's race—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

3. Could we with ink the ocean fill
and were the skies of parchment made,
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill
and ev’ry man a scribe by trade,
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
tho' stretched from sky to sky.

Bible Reference

Romans 8:38-39

About This Hymn

The Love of God is a deeply moving hymn that reflects on the vastness and eternal nature of God's love toward mankind. Written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917, this hymn has become a cherished declaration of one of the most profound truths in Scripture: that God's love is immeasurable, inexhaustible, and unchanging. Lehman, a German-born pastor and businessman, penned the hymn after experiencing a season of hardship, inspired by the unshakable assurance of God's love through all circumstances.

The first two verses were composed by Lehman himself, but the hymn is most famous for its third stanza, which he found on a card tucked into a church hymnal. That stanza was said to be adapted from an ancient Jewish poem, possibly dating back to the eleventh century. It had reportedly been found written on the wall of an asylum after the death of a patient, expressing divine truth in beautiful poetic form. Lehman was so moved by the words that he incorporated them into his hymn.

The third verse famously begins, “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made…” It presents an image of poetic impossibility to describe the depth of God’s love — that if the entire world were writing space and the oceans were ink, still it would not suffice to contain the full measure of His love. This echoes the apostle Paul's words in Ephesians 3:18-19, urging believers to comprehend “what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of the love of Christ.

Musically, The Love of God is set in a reverent, contemplative tone. The melody complements the majestic theme, drawing worshippers into a spirit of awe and gratitude. It is both grand and personal, inviting reflection on how God's love has reached even the lowest sinner and remains unchanged through time and trial.

The hymn’s central theme is reinforced by Romans 8:38-39, declaring that nothing in all creation can separate believers from God's love. This comforting truth has made the hymn a favorite in worship settings, especially during communion, prayer, or times of reflection on God’s grace and mercy.

The Love of God stands as a poetic and theological masterpiece in hymnody. It not only expresses the grandeur of divine love but also encourages believers to respond with humble worship. Lehman’s simple yet profound composition continues to lift hearts in praise, testifying that the love of God is deeper than the sea, higher than the heavens, and eternal in Christ Jesus.