How Deep the Father's Love, story of the song

1. “How deep the Father's love for us,” by Stuart Townsend, The Story of the Song<br />Stuart Townsend is a British Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include quot;
In Christ Alonequot;
(2002, co-written with Keith Getty, Townsend's first collaboration with any other songwriter),quot;
How Deep The Father's Love For Usquot;
(1995), quot;
Beautiful Saviourquot;
and quot;
The King Of Lovequot;
.<br /> In 2005, Cross Rhythms magazine described Townsend as quot;
one of the most significant songwriters in the whole international Christian music fieldquot;
. The Christian website Crosswalk.com commented that, quot;
the uniqueness of Townsend’s writing lies partly in its lyrical content. There is both a theological depth and poetic expression that some say is rare in today’s worship writingquot;
. This theological depth runs in the family.<br />Townsend, son of a Church of England vicar in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was the youngest of four children. He studied literature at the University of Sussex. Townsend started learning to play the piano at age 7. At the age of 13, he made a Christian commitment, and began songwriting at age 22. He has led worship and performed events across the world, at many conferences and festivals.<br />The depth of “How Deep” derives from Ephesians 3:14-19 wherein the Apostle Paul declares:<br />14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.<br />There is more to the depth aspect than the theological depth of Stuart Townsend. Townsend’s touching anthem points to the depth of God's love for us, that He would sacrifice His only son to save us, and to Christ’s love that he would willingly submit. The song is a powerful reminder that quot;
His wounds have paid my ransom.quot;
<br />The Prince of Prophets, Isaiah fore spoke of this depth of both suffering and love in Isaiah 53:3-5.<br />He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. <br />The prophesy finds its fulfillment in the passion narrative recorded in all four Gospels.<br />Angela Mackey observes of both the song and the depth of Christ’s love: <br />My eyes pricked with tears – tears seem to come frequently – as I choked out the words to the song. Grateful, humbling, overwhelming tears. The kind that come from deep joy, deep sorrow, and the awe of amazing grace. The joy that God would save me, the sorrow that my sin would cost Him so much, and the awe that He gave it all for me. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us we sang while taking the bread and the cup. Reminders of what He did for us. His body broken, His blood shed, to make “a wretch His treasure.” <br />Hear a YouTube video presentation at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k<br />Lyrics: How deep the Father's love for us,How vast beyond all measureThat He should give His only SonTo make a wretch His treasureHow great the pain of searing loss,The Father turns His face awayAs wounds which mar the chosen One,Bring many sons to gloryBehold the Man upon a cross,My sin upon His shouldersAshamed I hear my mocking voice,Call out among the scoffersIt was my sin that left Him thereUntil it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me lifeI know that it is finishedI will not boast in anythingNo gifts, no power, no wisdomBut I will boast in Jesus ChristHis death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heartHis wounds have paid my ransom (REPEAT)<br />