There's A Wideness In God's Mercy

“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” was written by Frederick William Faber, a 19th-century theologian and hymn writer whose works deeply emphasize the tender love and compassion of God. Faber originally wrote this hymn as part of his 1854 collection Hymns, which contained over 150 hymns designed to teach and comfort believers. Born in England, Faber was first ordained in the Church of England before later converting to Roman Catholicism, but his hymns have been embraced by Christians of many denominations. His writings often reflected a deep pastoral heart, aiming to correct misconceptions about God’s character by emphasizing His grace and gentleness. This hymn was written to remind believers of the immeasurable depth and breadth of God’s mercy, drawing on passages like Psalm 103:11 and Lamentations 3:22-23.

The hymn’s imagery is rich and expansive, inviting worshippers to meditate on God’s mercy as vast as the sea, His justice as perfect, and His heart as welcoming to all who come in repentance and faith. Faber’s lyrics stress that many of the barriers Christians feel between themselves and God are self-imposed, and that God’s love is far greater than our fears or failures. He writes that “there is grace enough for thousands of new worlds as great as this,” echoing the truth that God’s mercy is infinite, beyond human understanding. In a time when some theology emphasized sternness and judgment, Faber sought to remind believers that God’s justice and holiness are balanced perfectly with His compassion and readiness to forgive. This hymn calls listeners to trust fully in Christ’s atonement and to rest in God’s welcoming love.

The tune most often paired with this hymn today is “Beecher,” composed by John Zundel in 1870. The calm, flowing melody complements Faber’s poetic meditation, helping congregations sing with reverence and confidence in God’s character. While Faber wrote many hymns, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” remains one of his most beloved because of its pastoral tone and its focus on God’s unfailing grace. Churches across denominations include it in their hymnals, and its message continues to resonate, reminding Christians that the mercy of God is greater than their sin and His love is beyond measure.