Written 1875 (1875) | ||
Text by Samuel Trevor Francis Melody "Ebenezer, "Welsh melody, adapted by Thomas John Williams | ||
"O the Deep Deep, Love of Jesus" is a well-known Christian hymn, written by the London merchant Samuel Trevor Francis. Francis (1834–1925) had a spiritual turning point as a teenager, contemplating suicide one night on a bridge over the River Thames. Experiencing a renewal of faith, he went on to author many poems and hymns and was a preacher in addition to his merchant career.
Contents
The song compares Jesus' love to the ocean in scope, emphasizing the limitless, unchanging, and sacrificial nature of God's affections for the singer and all of humanity. It consists of three stanzas each utilizing an A, A, B, B rhyming structure. Various melodic and harmonic arrangements of the song have been published, the most common being a minor melody in 3/4 time.
Lyrics
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o'er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing, 'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, 'tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!