Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Some may recognize these words as the third verse of the song or hymn, The Love of God. When these words came to mind this past week, I was not aware of the fascinating history behind the song. Research opened my eyes to these:
• The above verse was found some 200 years ago penciled on the cell wall of a prison or insane asylum after the inmate had passed away. This unknown person apparently found meaning in the message of these words.
• Research indicates that this verse was originally written in A.D. 1050 by a Jewish poet, in a poem called Akdamut, which can be found in a book titled “A Book of Jewish Thought.”
• Another school of thought indicates similar lines found in the Quran where this general idea speaks about the words of Allah not being exhausted vs. any mention of love.
• It has also been suggested that the thoughts in the above stanza align more with the thoughts in John 21:25 – “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”
• A German pastor, Frederick M. Lehman, heard these words quoted at a camp meeting. He was so moved by them that years later, while living in Pasadena, CA, he was led to add 2 stanzas and a chorus to complete what we now know as the song, The Love of God. Pastor Lehman also authored many other gospel songs and founded the Nazarene Publishing House.
For many of us, God’s love is not easy to see or understand as we tend to compare it to human love. In today’s world, we describe love in other ways to convey the depth of how deeply we love someone. For example, “I love you to the moon and back,” is a common phrase used to express to someone that how much we love them is bigger than what can be seen. Or we may try to outdo someone’s love for us by responding to their “I love you’’ with “Love you more.”
Still this verse gives us a beautiful picture of God’s never-ending, from sky to sky, love. My own heart just thrills in this portrait of God’s love! For none can love us with the depth of our Father’s love! These words and descriptions may be dated but we sure get a clear picture that God’s love for us is infinite. Scripture also gives us a clear picture of His love in various passages. For example:
• Isaiah 54:10 – His love for us will not be shaken.
• Psalm 36:7 – His faithful love is priceless.
• I John 4:9-10 – His love caused Him to send His only Son to die for us.
• John 3:16 – He loved us enough to provide a way for eternal life.
• Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate us from His love.
Regardless of how we try to measure or describe it, God’s love for us is beyond comprehension. It is only in knowing Him and walking with Him that we can even begin to grasp the reality and fullness of His love! Only then can we sing words such as these from our hearts with depth and even an inkling of understanding!
The Love of God
(By Frederick M. Lehman – 1917)
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:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary 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 sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Sources: Internet: Ministry Magazine: The Story of the Love of God / Timeless Truths.org / FeedBurner: Song Story: The Love of God by Diana Leagh Matthews