Church Hymnal (Fifth Ed.) ‎#9a

9a. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy

1 There's a wideness in God's mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in his justice
which is more than liberty.

2 There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more keenly felt than heaven;
there is no place where earth's failings
have such gracious judgement given.

3 There is plentiful redemption
through the blood that Christ has shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.

4 For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind,
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.

5 But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

6 If our love were but more simple,
we should take him at his word,
and our lives would fill with gladness
in the presence of the Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
• Author: Frederick W. Faber (1814–63) (altd.)
• Meter: 87 87
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Topic: God the Father, Creator: The Fatherhood of God
• Notes: Alternative tune: 320 HALTON HOLGATE

Tune Information

• Name: CROSS OF JESUS
• Composer: John Stainer (1840–1901)
• Meter: 87 87
• Incipit: 31555 11713 67143
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: From The Crucifixion
• Notes: For this tune in a higher key (G), see no. 119i.