He Loved Us First

Intro - Deep male spoken-sung, warm Rhodes, soft trombone

Before we ever reached for God... Before we knew how to love Him... He had already loved us.

Verse 1 - Male, smooth rhythmic storytelling

Deuteronomy seven, Moses told them why, God had chosen Israel, though their numbers weren't so high. Not because they'd earned His favor, or the strength that they possessed, But because He loved His people, kept the promise He'd expressed. Jeremiah thirty-one, through the sorrow came His word, An everlasting love, a promise Israel heard. Leviticus nineteen said to love your neighbor too, The command was always rooted in the love of God so true.

Male - Transitions into soulful melodic singing

Before we ever learned to love, His mercy had begun. The ancient words were pointing us Toward the giving of His Son.

Chorus - Female soulful lead, full beat drops, warm brass

He loved us first, He loved us first, Before our hearts could find the words. His perfect love drives fear away, We face the judgment held by grace. He loved us first, now let it show, In how we love the ones we know. From ancient promise to the cross, His love reached down and rescued us.

Verse 2 - Male, melodic rhythmic delivery, lively bass and trombone

First John four says love was shown, the Father sent His Son, Not because we'd first adored Him or the good that we had done. Romans five reveals the timing, while we still were lost in sin, Jesus died for the undeserving, love had reached for us again. John thirteen, around the table, Jesus gave a new command, "Love each other as I've loved you," now we understand. Love is greater than a feeling, more than promises we make, On the cross He showed its meaning through the sacrifice He gave.

Male - Soulful melodic lift

It wasn't love we had to earn, Or something we could buy. He gave His life so we could live, And showed us love that will not hide.

Chorus - Female lead, bright horns and layered harmonies

He loved us first, He loved us first, Before our hearts could find the words. His perfect love drives fear away, We face the judgment held by grace. He loved us first, now let it show, In how we love the ones we know. From ancient promise to the cross, His love reached down and rescued us.

Verse 3 - Male, intimate but confident, steady groove

First John four, seventeen, speaks of judgment yet to come, But in Christ there's confidence through what His love has done. "As He is, so are we," reflecting Jesus here below, Learning how to walk in love so His character can show. Verse eighteen speaks of punishment, the fear that makes us hide, Perfect love drives out that dread when we in Christ abide. Romans eight calls us children, not enslaved again to fear, And the love we say we're living must be visible right here.

Male - Melodic, reflective

If I say I love the Father, but my brother I despise, John says love must be more than words that leave our lips and die. We love because He loved us first, that's where the story starts, And the truth of knowing Jesus should be written on our hearts.

Bridge - Female spoken-sung, stripped Rhodes and gentle horns

Love didn't start with us... And it doesn't end with words. If we've been loved this deeply, Let that love be seen and heard.

Instrumental - 4 bars, grooving bass and joyful trombone riff

Final Chorus - Female lead, male soulful harmonies, rich gospel brass

He loved us first, He loved us first, Before our hearts could find the words. His perfect love drives fear away, We face the judgment held by grace. He loved us first, now let it show, In how we love the ones we know. From ancient promise to the cross, His love reached down and rescued us.

Outro - Male melodic singing, female soft harmony

Male

Not because we loved Him first...

Female

But because He loved us...

Both

Before we ever knew...

Male spoken

First John four, seventeen through nineteen. Love began with God.