O LOVE of God, how strong and true! Eternal and yet ever new; Uncomprehended and unbought, Beyond all knowledge and all thought.
O Love of God, how deep and great! Far deeper than man’s deepest hate; Self-fed, self-kindled like the light, Changeless, eternal, infinite.
We read Thee in the flowers, the trees, The freshness of the fragrant breeze, The songs of birds upon the wing, The joy of summer and of spring.
We read Thee best in Him Who came To bear for us the cross of shame, Sent by the Father from on high, Our life to live, our death to die.
We read Thy power to bless and save E’en in the darkness of the grave; Still more in resurrection light, We read the fulness of Thy might.
O Love of God, our shield and stay Through all the perils of our way; Eternal Love, in Thee we rest, For ever safe, for ever blest!
Horatius Bonar, 1808-89