How High, How Wide, How Deep

How High, How Wide, How Deep

"I remember sitting in my studio in Northridge, CA. After nine years of calling this studio home, God was calling me to pick up and move. I sat there nervously pondering the change.

I reached out to a mentor for help. He encouraged me to continue to pray about the move and dig into some old hymns. He thought that if I worked on modernizing a hymn or two it may help me work through my doubts. (It’s funny how God always seems to put the right person in your path at the right time).

As I began reading through those classic hymns, I felt like I was communing with songwriters from the past. I was hooked by some lyrics from the hymn 'Here Is Love'.

I printed the lyrics, grabbed my baby Martin and a pencil, and headed outside. I literally sat down and played the song. The music just flowed out of me. The chorus almost jumped out from Ephesians 3:17-19, pulling the song together so perfectly. 'How high, how wide, how deep is the father’s love for me.'

It is so comforting to know that God's love for us is more than we can measure - a dose of truth to help move me through my own transition. This move has lead me on a journey that I am blessed to be on. I know that God loves me and if I submit myself to his will through earnest prayer - he will put me where I need to be." (Stephen Petree)

HOW HIGH, HOW WIDE, HOW DEEP
Written by Stephen Petree (BMI), William Rees (PD), William Williams (PD), William Edwards (PD)
© 2014 Common Hymnal Digital (BMI), Joshua Gemm Music (BMI) (admin by IntegratedRights.com). CCLI 7028241.

VERSE 1
Here is love, vast as the ocean, loving kindness as a flood
When the prince of life, our ransom, shed for us his precious blood
Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout heaven’s eternal days

CHORUS
How high, how wide, how deep is the father’s love for me
How high, how wide, how deep is the love of Christ in me

VERSE 2
On the mount of crucifixion, fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy, flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above
And heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love

BRIDGE
In truth you do direct me by your Spirit through your word
Your grace my need is meeting, I trust in you, O Lord                              
Of your fullness you are pouring your great love and power anew
Without measure, full and boundless, drawing out my heart to you