My Song Is Love Unknown
Jesus did so much for us... what have we done for Him?
1 My song is love unknown–
my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown[1],
that they might lovely be[2].
Oh, who am I[3], that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
[1] become lovely through Christ’s redemption
[2] as we gaze on His beauty, He transforms us and makes us lovely
[3] constant question to ponder: who am I, that God should love me? How did I merit God’s favor? It’s a story of love unknown…
stanza theme: Christ’s coming
2 He came from His blest throne[4]
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange[5], and none
the longed for Christ would know[6].
But oh, my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need His life did spend[7]!
[4] Christmas story
[5] Jesus was unrecognized as Messiah.
[6] John 1:11: “His own [people] did not receive Him.”
[7] meditate: He did so much for us… what have we done for Him?
stanza theme: Palm Sunday
3 Sometimes they strew His way,
and His sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.[8]
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
and for His death they thirst and cry.
[8] a stark contrast between the first sentence and the last sentence.
stanza theme: trial at Pilot
4 Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries[9]! Yet they at these[10]
themselves displease[11],
and ‘gainst Him rise.
[9] injuries and suffering can be sweet because God uses them for good (Romans 8:28)
[10] the people who Jesus healed
[11] Pharisees were annoyed/angered/heard of heart
stanza theme: trial at Pilot
5 They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away[12].
A murderer they save;
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful[13] He to suff’ring goes,
that He His foes from thence might free.
[12] the Pharisees were so determined to make Jesus go away
[13] He went willingly
stanza theme: Jesus’ burial
6 In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
but mine the tomb[14] wherein He lay.
[14] restated: the tomb was mine, but He took it in my stead
stanza theme: Jesus’ resurrection
7 Here might I stay and sing–[15]
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.
[15] meditate: linger in contemplation & praise
[16] the moral of the hymn: Jesus is my Friend, who we’ll spend eternity with