The New English Hymnal ‎#461

461. 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 felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth's failings
Have such kindly judgement given.

3 For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man's mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

4 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.

5 There is plentiful redemption
In the blood that has been shed;
There is joy for all the members
In the sorrows of the Head.

6 There is grace enough for thousands
Of new worlds as great as this;
There is room for fresh creations
In that upper home of bliss.

7 If our love were but more simple,
We should take him at his word;
And our lives would be all gladness
In the joy of Christ our Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: There's a wideness in God's mercy
• Author: F. W. Faber, 1814-63
• Meter: 87 87
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Lent
• Notes: Alternative tune STUTTGART 48

Tune Information

• Name: CROSS OF JESUS
• Composer: John Stainer, 1840-1901
• Meter: 87 87
• Key: G Major