Songs of Faith that You Should Know: "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High" - Music Ministry, February 2026
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
SONG OF FAITH THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
“O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High”
Twenty three stanzas were in the original 15th century Latin text of this wonderful hymn. Don’t panic! Most modern English versions include just five or six, which are faithfully translated and do great justice to the original text. Though its exact authorship is uncertain, the textual composition has often been attributed to Thomas à Kempis, who was a key figure in a significant movement in Church history called the Devotio Moderna. Centered in Northern Europe, specifically the Netherlands, the “modern devotion” movement was one of several which responded to the Western Schism (two popes simultaneously claimed authority – one in Rome and one in Avignon) by seeking to reform the church from within. The Devotio Moderna was particularly influential a century later, as its work strongly influenced men like Luther and Calvin to take up the mantle of returning the Church to Biblical purity. We know that 16th century effort as The Reformation. So, in a way, what we know and appreciate today as our Reformed/Protestant lineage all started here, with hymns like this one. Here is the text for six most commonly published English verses.
O, love, how deep, how broad, how high! How passing thought and fantasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take our mortal form for mortals' sake!
For us baptized, for us he bore his holy fast, and hungered sore;
for us temptations sharp he knew, for us the tempter overthrew.
For us he prayed, for us he taught, for us his daily works he wrought,
By words, by signs, and actions, thus still seeking not himself, but us.
For us to wicked men betrayed, scourged, mocked, in crown of thorns arrayed;
for us he bore the cross's death, for us at length gave up his breath.
For us he rose from death again, for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesus, virgin-born, to Thee;
whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost, forevermore.
Translator Benjamin Webb, a 19th century priest in the Church of England, worked closely with his friend, John Mason Neale, who was himself a prolific hymn writer and publisher. Webb’s faithful 1852 translation beautifully sets the fullness of the Gospel about as well as can be accomplished in a few brief stanzas. The first stanza covers Christ’s birth; the second shows Christ’s identification with human affairs; the third describes aspects of His daily ministry on earth; the fourth relates Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice in the crucifixion; the fifth touches on His resurrection, ascension, and the gift of the Spirit; and the final stanza serves as a fine doxology (an expression of praise to God, often referencing the Trinity). The musical tune most often paired with the English text, titled DEO GRACIS (sometimes called AGINCOURT), is appropriately stately. It helps greatly to convey the grandeur and majesty of God, and the awed reverence with which we ought to approach consideration of these great mysteries and truths of our faith in the One True God.
Supporting Scripture references are numerous, including: Eph. 3:18-19, Phil. 2:7, Matt. 3:13, Matt. 4:1-11, John 17:9, Rom 4:25, 1 Pet. 2:24, Rom. 8:34, John 16:7, 13. I’ll leave you with the text from Romans 8:34: ”Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Praise be to God that He Himself pleads for us with a love that is deeper, broader, and higher than we can ever fathom!
Listen for yourself! Here are a few wonderful renderings of this great hymn:
Yours in Christ,
Dan Byerly
Director of Music Ministry